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The Brighton striker had been linked with a permanent transfer to Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United in the summer.
West Ham have emerged as frontrunners to complete a January loan move for former Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Evan Ferguson as the rising star continues to struggle for game time at Brighton.
The Hammers' inconsistencies this term have not been helped by injuries and a lack of firepower up top. The London club forked out £27 million for Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug in the summer but the player has managed just 108 minutes in the Premier League thanks to an Achilles tendon issue.
The striker is now fit again but his return to the squad comes with Michail Antonio now out of action for up to 12 months after serious injuries sustained in his car accident earlier this month. That could leave Lopetegui and West Ham in the market for a temporary addition to their striking options come the opening of the January window.
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Ferguson has been linked with several Premier League clubs over the past 12 months. The Brighton man enjoyed a breakthrough season last time out with six Premier League goals and is still just 20 years old.
The Republic of Ireland international has struggled for game time under new boss Fabian Hurzeler with Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro preferred and a January exit has therefore been touted. GiveMeSport today reported that West Ham are 'front of the queue' for Ferguson's services, ahead of struggling Premier League rivals Leicester City and Southampton.
Evan Ferguson more tempted by West Ham than Premier League rivals
Over the summer, it had been widely reported that Ferguson was valued at a staggering £100 million by Brighton given his potential, which would be an extraordinary fee for West Ham to cough up in January. A loan move is thought to be a more likely option and a move to the London Stadium is reported to tempt the player more than the relegation battles at the King Power Stadium and St. Mary's.
Ferguson had been linked with a big money move to title chasers Arsenal and Chelsea this summer with Manchester United also seeing a £50 million bid rejected by a stubborn Brighton. Reports of interest from those top Premier League clubs has since dwindled, but The Express did claim at the end of November that a transfer battle involving the Gunners and the Blues could still emerge in January with a lower £60 million fee now claimed to be enough to tempt the Seagulls to sell.
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