Graham Potter crucial as Evan Ferguson offers emerge away from West Ham

Evan Ferguson had offers from Bayer Leverkusen before choosing to sign for West Ham on loan, according to The Athletic.

Roshane Thomas reported on 4 February that Ferguson's relationship with Graham Potter played a crucial role in his decision over Xabi Alonso's defending Bundesliga champions.

Leverkusen collected their maiden Bundesliga crown unbeaten last term, reaching the Europa League final and playing in the Champions League this season, yet Ferguson elected for East London instead.

Ferguson had considered Leverkusen's "tempting" loan offer as he weighed up his Brighton future, but with a Potter reunion also on the table, the Irishman was announced as the Irons' new striker on Monday.

Evan Ferguson can kick-start Graham Potter era at West Ham

Although a 20-year-old striker with a questionable injury record doesn't appear to be the answer to the Irons' problems in front of goal on paper, Ferguson will hope to rediscover his best form in East London.

Potter will certainly be hoping for that too, having plucked Ferguson out of the League of Ireland in 2021, given him his Premier League debut, and now being the driving force in his loan move.

The Hammers don't have any options or obligations in place for Ferguson to permanently become their player, but Brighton's actions in the transfer market suggest that they'd be happy to let him leave.

If Potter can unlock Ferguson's best form – which he's been prevented by injury from showing in a Brighton shirt – the Irons will be a different beast, after seemingly months without a natural striker.

It remains to be seen if Ferguson hits the ground running at the London Stadium, but no one will be keener than the Republic of Ireland international to show that he's made the right decision.

In other West Ham news, one European club are keen on signing an out-of-favour Irons star before their transfer window closes.

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