The striker is likely to leave Brighton this summer as he looks to revive his career
19:44, 17 Jun 2025
West Ham United's Evan Ferguson
West Ham United's Evan Ferguson(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Evan Ferguson could be a realistic target for Celtic before the end of the window.
But only if no other club take a gamble on the permanent transfer for the struggling Brighton star, according to***Record Sport'***s Keith Jackson.
The Ireland international made just three appearances for West Ham without scoring - after being shipped to London on loan after falling out of favour under Fabian Hurzeler.
The 20-year-old netted just one Premier League goal last season - a far cry from his breakthrough season in 2023/24 which saw the striker touted with £100million moves away from the AMEX Stadium.
That has lead to Celtic emerging as a potential destination for the frontman as he looks to kickstart his career.
Reflecting on Ferguson's early promise, Jackson told Hotline Live: "At that time, he was one of these guys that would come onto the pitch and visualise himself scoring a goal, as if he was going to manifest it.
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"He knew he was going to score goals. He didn't think about it or overthink it - it was just all so natural to him at that point. He was phenomenal, and that is what he got the comparisons with Harry Kane.
"I don't think that was over the top at the time, because he was going goal for goal with Harry Kane at the time, and looking like a younger, stronger, faster version."
Host Daniel Caw felt that a loan move to the Scottish champions "made sense" for the campaign noting he would "fly" under Brendan Rodgers.
Jackson responded with a comparison to Max Aarons potential loan move from Bournemouth to Rangers - which has hit a roadblock over the Cherries' pursuit of a permanent exit.
He said: "I don't disagree, but as we said with Bournemouth and Aarons - these clubs are not in the business of doing favours for people.
"There would need to be a reason for Brighton to loan him out - I think he still has a few years left on his contract.
"If there is a manager down there who thinks they can make him a Premier League player, and they can get a fee that is similar with what Bournemouth are looking to do with Max Aarons right now - in terms of 'why would I put you out on loan if I think I can get £8million-£10million?'
"That is for a right-back, so what about a striker who has proven what he can do in the Premier League? What kind of price does that carry?
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"If it gets to the end of the window, and nobody has taken a punt on him, that is when I think Celtic becomes a realistic possibility."
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