Tim Steidten gets his Evan Ferguson answer at West Ham ahead of January window
Tim Steidten will have to go back to the drawing board at West Ham United as Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed Evan Ferguson will be staying put at Brighton in January.
According to TBR Football [26 November], Ferguson has grown unhappy with his playing time at the Amex and Brighton had agreed to sanction a January loan exit. However, this appears now longer to be the case.
Hurzeler answered questions about the wantaway forward in his pre-match press conference, as relayed by BBC Sport [28 November], and expects Ferguson to remain and fight for his place at the Seagulls.
He said: “I don’t know from where this information comes because I said to Evan that I am happy he is here with the team.
“I am happy how he is training, what shape he is in physically, mentally. Of course, he is a young player and needs game time.
“Accept your role and make sure you bring yourself in the mood and the shape that, when you get the chance, you are ready.
“It is exactly that which I demand from Evan and also what I said to him. I never said anything to him about a loan or anything like this.”
Tim Steidten has to pull a trick out of his sleeve at West Ham United
Ferguson would have been the ideal addition to West Ham despite scoring only once in the Premier League this term – he is undoubtedly one of the brightest young talents in English football.
The 20-year-old values himself highly and would have arrived in East London with a chip on his shoulder following his limited game time on the South Coast; however, it is not to be, and Steidten must find an alternative solution.
West Ham have been monitoring Middlesbrough forward Emmanuel Latte Lath [Gianluca Di Marzio], and a delegation was present in the Championship for his hattrick in the 6-2 win against Oxford United.
Fenerbahce forward Youssef En-Nesyri has been touted with a reunion in London with Julen Lopetegui as the Spaniard reportedly feels replicating their Sevilla partnership could save his tenure with the Irons [Sunday Mirror].
Regardless, recruiting a new centre-forward has become the utmost priority for the Hammers as their woes in front of goal persist.
Ferguson and West Ham would have been a match made in heaven and still could be – if his situation at Brighton continues, it is likely the Republic of Ireland international will push harder for a January exit and Steidten should be waiting to pounce.
The search for a new striker has turned into a chess match: wait for the Ferguson situation to develop or move on to alternative targets and potentially miss out.
It will be interesting to see how this saga plays out.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are eyeing a move for Lennon Miller as a £5m transfer update is shared.
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