Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin reckons more than Italian scouts will be watching Lewis Ferguson in weeks and months to come.
The midfielder from Hamilton was scouted by Italian Serie A side Caligari during a 3-1 win for the Dons over Hibs last month.
He followed up his brace in that Premiership win with his first start for Scotland on Tuesday during a 2-2 friendly draw against Austria.
Ferguson is a product of Hamilton's academy and has netted 14 times this season.
A transfer bid from Watford was booted out last summer and Goodwin anticipates more interest in the Lanarkshire star.
The Irishman said: “There’s been no real concrete offers of late come in but there are scouts in the stand every week from all over Europe.
“Lewis’ performance against Hibs will have attracted attention, not only from Italian scouts but English ones as well.
“Every time a young player goes on the pitch, he’s not only trying to impress his current manager – he’s trying to impress the international manager and bosses from further afield.
“That’s the nature of the business. Of course it’s going to be difficult (to keep him). There’s been plenty of speculation in windows gone by about Fergie.
“But until someone meets the valuation we put on him, then he’ll remain an Aberdeen player."
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