Claudio Ranieri has given the green light for Cagliari to offer Aberdeen star Connor Barron a dream move to Italy.

The Scotland Under-21s midfielder has been in outstanding form in recent weeks - including a top display in the Scottish Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat to Celtic at Hampden. He's out of contract at Pittodrie at the end of the season, though, and is being tipped for a move to Serie A to join former Dons team-mate Lewis Ferguson.

And reports in Italy have suggested former Leicester City title-winning boss Ranieri has made a move for Aberdeen's Barron a high priority for next season. The 72-year-old former Chelsea, Juventus, Napoli and Atletico Madrid boss took charge of Cagliari last season - 35 years after his first spell at the club. He immediately won them promotion from Serie B and looks set to keep the Sardinian outfit in the top flight this season.