Brighton to make Evan Ferguson announcement on Saturday amid West Ham move
Brighton & Hove Albion will announce West Ham target Evan Ferguson in their matchday squad on Saturday for the first time since December, according to The Sun.
On page 66 of Saturday’s newspaper (1 February), it has been reported that the young Irishman will be included in the Seagulls squad by Fabian Hurzeler after several weeks in the abyss as transfer talk intensifies linking him with the Irons and other clubs.
Chelsea have now reportedly joined the race for Ferguson’s signature as well as David Moyes’ Everton who are desperate for a striker – likewise Graham Potter, of course, who handed the frontman his Brighton debut in 2021 and advanced talks have taken place (Ben Jacobs, 31 January).
Brighton travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early kick-off in the Premier League (1 February, 12:30pm); Potter takes his new side back to his old base when Chelsea play host on Monday (3 February).
West Ham battling competition for Ferguson signing
It won’t be plain sailing for West Ham in their attempts to sign Ferguson before Monday’s deadline, with clubs fully aware of Potter’s striker predicament.
The Hammers make the trip across London to take on Enzo Maresca’s side on the evening of Deadline Day and while the two management teams are looking solely at matters on the pitch, recruitment staff behind the scenes could be having a separate battle for Ferguson’s signature.
Chelsea have the means to blow competing clubs out of the water if they really want the 20-year-old, who has for whatever reason found himself cast aside at Brighton and could be in need of a new chapter.
The Irons and Everton are in a similar situation regarding their priority for a striker – Potter only has Danny Ings available as a fully fledged centre-forward, though Jarrod Bowen is in contention to return on Monday and play at least some part.
It could come down to what Ferguson himself prefers with a host of options on the table for him, and what could be his last game for Brighton this weekend may well put him in the shop window at a premium.
In other West Ham news, an alternative to Ferguson is mooted if the Hammers can’t get their man.
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