Evan Ferguson has been linked with leaving Brighton on loan in the January trasnfer window, as the frustrated forward seeks regular first-team football.
Ferguson’s fortunes have stalled as a result of an ankle issue picked up last season and the Irishman has found himself behind Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro at The Amex Stadium.
The 20-year-old underlined his potential last year, when he became just the fourth player aged 18 or under to score a Premier League hat-trick. His 10 league goals during the calendar year were the highest from a teenager since Wayne Rooney.
With just over a month until the transfer window opens, we’ve looked at the clubs in the running to sign Ferguson. Using the latest odds from football predictions, we’ve ranked the five favourites to sign Evan Ferguson.
Ranking the favourites to sign Evan Ferguson from Brighton in January
Everton – 7/2
The second-lowest scorers in the Premier League, goals have been an issue for Sean Dyche and Everton this season.
Ferguson could be a shrewd signing for the Toffees, given Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s underperformance in front of goal. The 27-year-old ranks third in the Premier League for big chances missed (7), while no player has a bigger xG underperformance than Calvert-Lewin (-2.49) so far this season.
Brentford – 3/1
Brentford sanctioned the sale of Ivan Toney in the summer, as the club’s talisman headed to Saudi Arabia in a big-money deal. Toney’s replacement, Igor Thiago, suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season and only recently returned from that lay-off.
Whilst Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa have flown the flag impressively in his absence, another option in Ferguson could boost Brentford’s firepower across the run-in.
This Evan Ferguson finish… 🤤 #BOUBHA ⏳ pic.twitter.com/4UNM80g48F
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 21, 2024
Celtic – 5/2
Celtic have been linked with a swoop to sign Ferguson, in a deal that could unite the forward with Republic of Ireland teammate Adam Idah in the Scottish champion’s frontline.
There’s also the potential for European football at Parkhead, provided Celtic – currently 20th in the standings – can remain in the Champions League beyond the group phase.
However, a centre-forward does not appear a priority for Brendan Rodgers, given the goal threat of Kyogo Furuhashi, Idah and wide playersNicolas Kühn andDaizen Maeda this season.
Leeds – 5/2
Would Ferguson be prepared to step down a division for first-team football?
Leeds United appear one of the more attractive destinations if so, with Daniel Farke’s side top of the Championship and pushing for promotion.
Joel Piroe has scored seven times from nine starts but has struggled for favour, with Mateo Joseph – who has scored just twice – sharing the minutes at centre-forward. Ferguson would offer an instant upgrade on that duo for the club’s promotion push.
West Ham – 1/1
West Ham’s struggles with striker signings have been well-documented. Niclas Fullkrug is the latest to have failed to make an impact with the summer signing riddled with injury problems since arriving from Borussia Dortmund.
The burden has again fallen onto the 34-year-old Michail Antonio and reinforcements are required. A loan move for Ferguson makes sense for all parties, provided Brighton are prepared to sanction his exit to a potential rival for European football.
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