Evan Ferguson F Brighton b.2004

[Olé Olé]

West Ham for definite. We want Ferguson starting games and West Ham have an injury crisis up front. Patrik Schick has been smashing it while Boniface has been out injured so Ferguson won't be starting.

This is why I'm not all over Leverkusen. Would be a great move if they didn't play with one striker that is scoring for fun.

West Ham under Potter and Everton under Moyes - both good managers badly needing a 9 - seem safer to me.

[Stuttgart88]

Seems to actually be available for sale now:

Brighton would be willing to sell striker Evan Ferguson if they receive the right offer before the transfer window closes.

Ferguson is currently sidelined with an ankle injury but has not been a significant part of Fabian Hurzeler’s squad even when he has been fit.

The Republic of Ireland international has made 12 Premier League appearances this term but 10 of those have come off the substitutes’ bench.

His single goal came in the home draw with Wolves on 26 October. That was his only strike since November 2023 as the form that shot him to prominence in the 2022-23 campaign and saw him nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award deserted him.

It has been known Brighton were looking at loan options for Ferguson. However, sources with an understanding of the situation have said a sale would be considered and one offer, said to be from within the Premier League, has already been turned down.

Numerous English clubs, including Arsenal and West Ham, are looking for a central striker, while German outfit Bayer Leverkusen have also been mentioned in connection with the 20-year-old.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cy9lnw0eyy7t

[Jolly Red Giant]

Seems to actually be available for sale now:


Brighton would be willing to sell striker Evan Ferguson if they receive the right offer before the transfer window closes.


Ferguson is currently sidelined with an ankle injury but has not been a significant part of Fabian Hurzeler’s squad even when he has been fit.


The Republic of Ireland international has made 12 Premier League appearances this term but 10 of those have come off the substitutes’ bench.


His single goal came in the home draw with Wolves on 26 October. That was his only strike since November 2023 as the form that shot him to prominence in the 2022-23 campaign and saw him nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award deserted him.


It has been known Brighton were looking at loan options for Ferguson. However, sources with an understanding of the situation have said a sale would be considered and one offer, said to be from within the Premier League, has already been turned down.


Numerous English clubs, including Arsenal and West Ham, are looking for a central striker, while German outfit Bayer Leverkusen have also been mentioned in connection with the 20-year-old.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cy9lnw0eyy7t

This could well be a decision between Ferguson and Hurzeler - Ferguson is a goalpoacher, not the type of 9 that Hurzeler utilises. The sytem used by Hyrzeler uses very few through passes to the striker - something that Ferguson thrives on. The striker spends a lot of time out on the wing - pulling defenders out of position to try and open up a compact defence that Hurzeler has his team trying to play through.


The problem is that while Hurzeler started well - it is clear that opposition coaches have figured out how to play against his team. After getting 6 wins in the first 12 games, they have only won twice in the following eleven games. Their form is bottom five at the moment. Brighton have done well over the years since Hughton got them into the PL - Hughton, Potter, De Zebri all did well - time will tell if Hurzeler is up to the job. Selling Ferguson would be a sign that they are committing to Hurzeler. Saying that - they will expect big money for him - Ferguson still has the potential to be one of the top strikers in the PL and some crazy money is still being tossed around for players not nearly as talented.


It is clear that Ferguson's talent is recognised - he would not have the likes of Leverkusen after him if they didn't think he was a top player. Personally - I think he would thrive at Arsenal - they create lots of chances that they don't convert and he is the type of striker that will score goals if the chances are available.

[Stuttgart88]

I agree wrt Arsenal.

[Exgrad]

west Ham maybe in pole position now:

https://www.theguardian.com/football...ransfer-latest

loan with option to buy somewhere around 40m.

[zero]

it does feel at the moment that the worst outcome would be him not getting a move anywhere, so we'll see how this pans out.

[Eirambler]

No less than four journos covering their own EPL clubs pick out Ferguson as a target in this article (though you'd have to say wishful thinking in at least one case). The chances of him still being at Brighton this time next week seem slim at this point.

https://archive.ph/M7Je1

[Stuttgart88]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c4g3zv9r95pt

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on Evan Ferguson's performance in the Premier League: "I think it's difficult if you always have small issues, you can't get in the rhythm and I think that's the main thing. We need to get Evan being stable on the pitch, being consistent on the pitch. We try to help him to get in the right shape and be resilient. He shows in every session that he has an unbelievable skill."

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on Evan Ferguson: "I'm happy he is in our squad, I want to keep working with him. Like I said, it's always important to discuss with him the importance of the development of the player.
"That's the main thing of the club. We want to improve the development of the players, we want to help him, therefore we need an exchange, then we see what makes sense for the player in the next six months, we will make a decision together, it's not an individual decision.
"I felt in the conversations that I have had with Evan that he only wants to play, that is the main thing. No matter if it is here or at another club."

More on Evan Ferguson: "My job is to focus on the work with the players outside on the pitch, that's what we do. We trained very well yesterday, he trained well yesterday. The other things we can't influence. He knows my thoughts, the thoughts of the club, we know the thoughts from Evan. That's the important thing."

There’s something amiss here I feel.

[SkStu]

I think he is sulking a bit and not feeling that he got the elevated treatment that his form at the time before his injury entitled him to. From what is known (v. speculated), it definitely seems best for him to move on to a new challenge and cut ties with Brighton completely. There is some bitterness there and he clearly wants out. That's giving Ev the benefit of the doubt though. The "worst case" interpretation of some of those comments, and what they could be pointing to, would leave you a bit worried.

Looks like West Ham are in pole position anyway. They might be getting themselves a bargain.

[Olé Olé]

No less than four journos covering their own EPL clubs pick out Ferguson as a target in this article (though you'd have to say wishful thinking in at least one case). The chances of him still being at Brighton this time next week seem slim at this point.

https://archive.ph/M7Je1

5 really if you count Ipswich - Southampton, Ipswich, Everton, West Ham and Arsenal.

[Razors left peg]

I think he is sulking a bit and not feeling that he got the elevated treatment that his form at the time before his injury entitled him to. From what is known (v. speculated), it definitely seems best for him to move on to a new challenge and cut ties with Brighton completely. There is some bitterness there and he clearly wants out. That's giving Ev the benefit of the doubt though. The "worst case" interpretation of some of those comments, and what they could be pointing to, would leave you a bit worried.

Looks like West Ham are in pole position anyway. They might be getting themselves a bargain.

I think there might be something a bit similar to what I suggested on the Idah thread, even when he was at the best of his form he was never guaranteed to play and maybe that can p1ss a player off, Brighton seem to have more strikers than any other club in the Premiership. That would be taking the optimistic view, but there have been the odd rumor that hes fond of a pint too so I hope its not that. Whatever the issues are you'd hope a change of scenery would be helpful,

He would absolutely be worth looking at from any clubs point of view, if they can get the Ferguson of a year ago then you have a 20 year old who can be one of the best strikers in football

[tetsujin1979]

Al-Nassr have had a £50m bid for Mitoma rejected by Brighton, and according to Sky Sports, they're going to return with a £90m bid. If that does go through, I can't see them selling Ferguson

[Razors left peg]

Al-Nassr have had a £50m bid for Mitoma rejected by Brighton, and according to Sky Sports, they're going to return with a £90m bid. If that does go through, I can't see them selling Ferguson

Jesus if you were Brighton you'd be wetting yourself over getting that kind of money for Mitoma. Hes good, but so inconsistent.

If Ferguson was going to West Ham or Everton I'd hope it would only be a loan. Firmly believe that with a good 2nd half of the season he'd have everyone sit up and take notice again. If Arsenal are sniffing around him they can only do a Permanent move so they might well look at him as a undervalued target right now.

[The Fly]

There’s something amiss here I feel.

It certainly feels that way, and has done for some time now (even with the injury issues).

I wonder what's happened?

[elatedscum]

Jesus if you were Brighton you'd be wetting yourself over getting that kind of money for Mitoma. Hes good, but so inconsistent.
If Arsenal are sniffing around him they can only do a Permanent move so they might well look at him as a undervalued target right now.

I'd say Arsenal could easily turn Neto's loan into a permanent transfer. He only has 18 months left on his deal currently and will have 12 when the loan ends. I'd say Arsenal taking the contract off Bournemouth's hands would get it done.

Re Mitoma - good money considering he's 28 by the end of the season. Really good player though, genuinely think he's easily Brighton's best by a long way.

[Exgrad]

https://www.theguardian.com/football...-from-brighton

chelsea in for him too. He's going to go isnt he, he's done with Brighton (and there have been clear enough reasons why this may be the case, not the idle speculation that are doing the rounds here and on YBIG).

[texidub]

Will be a defining moment in his career wherever he goes. Exciting to see an Irish player being linked with various big clubs across different, prestigious leagues. Can only hope it all works out for him and he stays confident and injury free. I'd love to see him go to Germany for a spell.

Agree w/ earlier poster on Mitoma - he's brilliant and Brighton lack something up front when he's not around.

[kennedmc]

I think he is sulking a bit and not feeling that he got the elevated treatment that his form at the time before his injury entitled him to. From what is known (v. speculated), it definitely seems best for him to move on to a new challenge and cut ties with Brighton completely. There is some bitterness there and he clearly wants out. That's giving Ev the benefit of the doubt though. The "worst case" interpretation of some of those comments, and what they could be pointing to, would leave you a bit worried.

Looks like West Ham are in pole position anyway. They might be getting themselves a bargain.

IF this was true strikes me as very arrogant by Ferguson and poor attitude - a 'sense of entitlement' - is never a good thing. We don;t know if it is true.

Despite his injuries he hasn't done enough on the pitch when he had chance this season. Wellbeck is a decent player and playing well but he is not a world beater. They tend to play Pedro deeper and alot of other attackers are wide players etc. So it not like there is a ton of competition.

Anyway he is obviously still developing and needs to work on various parts of his game.

[Eirambler]

He needs to go somewhere where he would be likely to start every week and get a run of games. So not Chelsea.

[SkStu]

IF this was true strikes me as very arrogant by Ferguson and poor attitude - a 'sense of entitlement' - is never a good thing. We don;t know if it is true..

no, we definitely dont. And I would agree with you that it would be a bit arrogant. I was just speculating - - but there is clearly beef there in some way based off of Hurzeler's comments.