Evan Ferguson F Brighton b.2004

**pineapple stu** · 14/07/2025, 9:50 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Suggestions of a €45m fee, which would be fairly outrageous for an underperforming youngster.

Yeah, huge pressure for a guy who has three goals in the last 20 months if that's the price. He could thrive in it, but he won't get much patience from the fans if he gets off to a slow start you'd imagine

**Exgrad** · 15/07/2025, 8:16 AM

There is no way Roma are paying 45m for Evan Ferguson. Inter have just signed Bonny from Parma for 24m, Ferguson fee, if he goes, will be somewhere around that.

**tetsujin1979** · 15/07/2025, 9:49 AM

Maybe not, but Brighton have a history of holding out until they get a price they consider acceptable, and Ferguson is contracted to them until 2029, so they're under no pressure to sell

**Exgrad** · 15/07/2025, 10:29 AM

Its hard to hold out on a player everyone knows you want to move on, its over a year since he's been an important part of their squad.

**Eirambler** · 15/07/2025, 2:41 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Maybe not, but Brighton have a history of holding out until they get a price they consider acceptable, and Ferguson is contracted to them until 2029, so they're under no pressure to sell

Given that it sounds like they have been offering him to everyone and anyone I'm not sure that's true in this case. They seem to have made their decision to move him on so their hand isn't as strong as usual here.

**Razors left peg** · 15/07/2025, 8:54 PM

Originally Posted by liamoo11

I wonder if zefi been there is an influence

Apparently Zefi played for Sligo tonight

**pineapple stu** · 16/07/2025, 7:40 AM

Ferguson to Sligo!

(Zefi scored too, FWIW)

**Eirambler** · 16/07/2025, 7:50 AM

Zefi finally finding his level then. I think there was a brief moment about four or five years ago where Ferguson and Zefi were seen as the two biggest emerging prospects in Irish football. Zefi was being wildly overrated at the time based on Ireland underage performances.

**Eirambler** · 16/07/2025, 10:00 AM

Also a bit concerning that Brighton are reported to be trying to insist on an obligation to buy rather than an option to buy in the Roma deal. They really do seem to want to get rid of him completely, which would again suggest they might know things about him in terms of long term injury effects etc. that others at this stage don't know about.

**Jolly Red Giant** · 16/07/2025, 10:45 AM

My read is that this is initially a loan deal with an option to buy - the €45m is the option to buy price. The £28m (€35m) figure was based on an obligation to buy. The problem here is that Ferguson has a contract with Brighton up to 2029 - he will at least want that contract honoured (and rightly so) - effectively Brighton will have to buy him out to some degree. Ferguson hasn't demanded a transfer and has no obligation to agree to an 'obligation to buy' clause in the deal unless he is guaranteed his current contract at a minimum. It appears Roma have agreed to cover his full wages for next season - but I suspect that they may want to re-negotiate Ferguson's contract downwards (and include some injury clause etc) if there is an obligation to buy - Ferguson doesn't have to agree to any of this (nor should he). Brighton are pitching the 'option to buy' higher to try and force Roma's hand. While I think this would potentially be a good move for Ferguson, he does hold the high ground in negotiations because he has a contract until 2029 with Brighton.

**liamoo11** · 16/07/2025, 2:50 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Apparently Zefi played for Sligo tonight

Must be difficult for him to see ferguson going there for big money. Hopefully zefi can get a chance somewhere. Don't think he has the physical gifts to be a winger or wingback. Maybe makes it as a 10

**Razors left peg** · 16/07/2025, 3:52 PM

Originally Posted by liamoo11

Must be difficult for him to see ferguson going there for big money. Hopefully zefi can get a chance somewhere. Don't think he has the physical gifts to be a winger or wingback. Maybe makes it as a 10

Tbh I dont think hes done anything in the game yet to feel jealous of other lads. Zefi has a long way to go to prove he'll even be a pro. He has talent, but I just remember seeing him with a pretty poor attitude for the u19s a couple years ago. Hes the type of lad that could light up the LOI or be working behind a bar in 3 years. Fingers crossed he gets 1st team football whether at Sligo or elsewhere and he is brilliant

**liamoo11** · 16/07/2025, 4:02 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Tbh I dont think hes done anything in the game yet to feel jealous of other lads. Zefi has a long way to go to prove he'll even be a pro. He has talent, but I just remember seeing him with a pretty poor attitude for the u19s a couple years ago. Hes the type of lad that could light up the LOI or be working behind a bar in 3 years. Fingers crossed he gets 1st team football whether at Sligo or elsewhere and he is brilliant

I agree but still difficult on a human level for a lad of 20. He did what loads on here say irishnplayers should do move to European league and it hasn't worked out. He seems ti be same height He was at 15 so that physical development and athletic genetics just aren't there, so he needs to be an exceptional footballer to make it

**Eirambler** · 16/07/2025, 4:13 PM

The rumours have been that Zefi hasn't helped himself in his career to this point. Talent alone isn't enough, especially for a player that's not a natural physical athlete. Hopefully he can find his level somewhere, I wouldn't be surprised if that's here in Ireland though, either now or in a couple of years time.

There's an argument that he should go with Albania too, he'd be more likely to get an Under 21 international career with them than us, and any small chance of a senior career is more likely to be with them also.