Evan Ferguson looks set for an exciting move to Roma with one obstacle left to overcome.
The Brighton striker has agreed terms with the Italian giants and is closing on a move to end months of speculation over his future.
His fate was effectively sealed after he was left out of Brighton’s pre-season friendly victory over Wycombe.
Three Irish players featured for the Premier League side in their 6-1 victory but Ferguson was nowhere to be seen as Fabien Hurzeler plans for life without the 20-year-old.
According to Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, negotiations over Ferguson’s pricetag are still ongoing between the two clubs.
He adds that Brighton want €45million to let him leave. This is contradictory to reports from journalist Pete O’Rourke, who said The Seagulls would be willing to sell for €32m.
Either way, it appears Ferguson has decided a move to Serie A would be the best option to find his lethal form in front of goal again.
Managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma will play in the Europa League next season due to their fifth-place finish.
Roma set to fend off competition
Ferguson’s availability had alerted numerous clubs throughout the summer regarding a potential move.
In the Premier League, both Everton and Nottingham Forest shared an interest.
Toffees manager David Moyes needs a new front man after the club allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to leave on a free transfer, but agreed a £27m deal for Villarreal’s frontman Thierno Barry.
Roma’s Serie A rivals Atalanta were another club in the mix, with their forward Mateo Retegui supposedly on Saudi’s radar.
PSV were linked with his signature, while Celtic were believed to have the strongest interest. However, his fee complicated matters over a move to Scotland.
Evan Ferguson has a point to prove
It was only a couple of years ago when Ferguson was being touted as a £100m player when he sensationally burst onto the Premier League scene.
As an 18-year-old, he scored a hat-trick against Newcastle to take his tally to 10 for the season.
It meant only Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Francis Jeffers had scored more goals before their 19th birthday than Ferguson.
Numerous injuries at the beginning of last season saw him struggle for minutes before he moved to West Ham on loan.
However, his stock continued to fall during a torrid spell in London.
He made just eight league appearances, failed to score and failed to feature in six of the remaining eight games of the campaign.
Brighton are around 5/1 to finish in the top six next season, according to Irish bookmakers.