Evan Ferguson ‘outstanding’ update offered by Ornstein amid West Ham uncertainty
West Ham United have plenty of organisation to be carried out in the summer to fine-tune their squad.
The final run-in offers very little still to play for but does give Graham Potter ample opportunity to run the rule over many players with uncertain long-term futures at the London Stadium.
While some have been brought in on hefty fees for permanent deals, others are merely in East London on loan, with their future chapters currently up in the air.
David Ornstein issues Evan Ferguson verdict
Ferguson was drafted into the West Ham squad on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion late in the winter transfer window, with the Irons desperately needing to bolster their attacking options.
Potter previously nurtured the Irish frontman and handed him his debut for Brighton at the age of just 17, so a temporary spell to get his uncertain fledgling career back on track seemed the obvious and safe move.
Ferguson has been a bit-part player, however, in Potter’s setup and has yet to open his account in claret and blue, with opportunities running out.
His last two goals have come in the green of the Republic of Ireland, having last scored domestically for Brighton against Wolves last October – his sole Premier League strike this season before an ankle injury.
The Athletic‘s established transfer correspondent Ornstein participated in his fan Q&A feature on Friday morning (11 April) surrounding potential moves in the summer, and Ferguson was mentioned by one particular enquiring supporter.
When the fan asked what the next step for Ferguson could be, Ornstein said: “It wouldn’t surprise me if he plays himself back into form and returns to shine for Brighton.
“There’s an outstanding player there. You just hope he stays injury-free and starts to flourish again.”
West Ham must prioritise striker signings
While it is fairly unlikely West Ham will punt for Ferguson on a permanent deal this summer, the Hammers have a list of striker targets for the summer.
With Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug having spent so much of this term on the sidelines, and Danny Ings not favoured to lead the line, it has at times been Jarrod Bowen improvising through the middle. Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus have also dovetailed in the attack.
| West Ham – top scorers 2024-25 | Goals |
| Jarrod Bowen | 8 |
| Tomas Soucek | 7 |
| Lucas Paqueta | 4 |
| Mohammed Kudus | 3 |
| Niclas Fullkrug | 3 |
Jonathan David has been one of the most widely-discussed aims for the summer, though his free agent status from Lille means West Ham have tough competition for his signature as Premier League rivals circle the Canadian.
An ambitious move could be put on the table for Liam Delap, whose Ipswich Town side will almost certainly be relegated next month, with a release clause of £30million for any competitor to sign him from Portman Road when the drop is confirmed.