Bayer Leverkusen rival West Ham for Evan Ferguson as Brighton consider permanent deal for young Irish striker – while Germans close in on another Premier League star
Brighton will consider selling Evan Ferguson on a permanent deal after Bayer Leverkusen stepped in to rival West Ham in the chase for the 20-year-old striker.
Leverkusen are in the throes of selling Victor Boniface to Al Nassr for £50m and want Ferguson to fill that void. West Ham remain in the hunt and have the advantage of Graham Potter knowing Ferguson well while Tottenham, Red Bull Leipzig, Bournemouth and Everton have all enquired.
Al Nassr are also still speaking to Aston Villa about a deal for Jhon Duran.
Ferguson burst onto the scene when he scored a hat-trick against Newcastle at the start of last season aged just 18.
The Republic of Ireland international was compared with a young Alan Shearer, the Premier League top scorer, at the time and an exciting future looked set in stone.
However, his progressed has stalled due to injuries – including a six-month lay-off with an ankle problem – and he hasn’t played for Brighton since before Christmas, with manager Fabian Hurzeler handing him only two starts in the Premier League this season.
Irish striker Evan Ferguson returned to training last week following his latest ankle injury
Graham Potter worked with Ferguson at Brighton and is keen to reunite at West Ham
Evan Ferguson fires in against Wolves in October – his only goal so far in an injury-hit season
He has been back in training since last week after shaking off his latest ankle knock and Hurzeler admitted it had been a tough time for Ferguson.
‘When I see him he’s in a good spirit but of course injuries don’t help your mood and your shape.
‘Not only physically but also mentally it’s a tough time for him but I’m sure he will get through it.’
It was Potter who gave Ferguson his chance at Brighton following his move from Irish outfit Bohemians in 2021 and the new West Ham manager will hope this can convince his former player to move to London.
Leverkusen may also be tempting for Ferguson as the Bundesliga club are offering him the chance to slot straight into their first team and can offer Champions League football too.
West Ham are desperate to sign at least one forward before the transfer window closes with Potter’s squad short in that area.
Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug are all injured while Danny Ings has rarely been trusted to start games for the club.
The Hammers have spoken to RB Leipzig about taking striker Andre Silva on loan, look unlikely to pursue a deal for Ajax’s Brian Brobbey and have looked at Middlesbrough Emmanuel Latte Lath but manager Potter is keen to get Ferguson in
West Ham are not alone in scouring the market for options up front with Tottenham, Everton and Bournemouth all keen for forwards due to injuries.
As they battle for West Ham for Ferguson, Leverkusen look to have secured one piece of business from the Premier League with Emi Buendia expected to complete his move to Aston Villa on Wednesday.
