News coming out of England is that the reigning Premier League champions Manchester City are interested in Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson.
The 18-year-old striker is currently the talk of the Premier League after his blistering start to the 2023/24 season. He came into prominence in the 2022/23 season with impressive cameo appearances and goals from the bench. Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton’s manager, has now given him a more prominent role this season and he has rewarded that faith.
With four goals in four Premier League matches – including a hattrick against Newcastle United – the Ireland international is now seen as one to watch. Many are touting him to be the player that pushes Erling Haaland for the 2023/24 Premier League golden boot. The latest reports suggest that Manchester City have heard the word on the street and are looking to nip that possibility in the bud.
City were in the news a few days ago for wanting to tie Erling Haaland down to a more extended contract. They offered the Norway international a £600,000-per-week salary to extend his contract for two more years with the aim of keeping him disinterested in a Real Madrid move.
The Spanish giants have made no moves to hide their interest in the player, who they want to see play alongside Kylian Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu. City are working on keeping Haaland happy enough to say no to Madrid when they come and that could include bringing Ferguson to the Etihad.
The news is that Manchester City have joined the race to sign the former Bohemians youth player. They want to play him alongside Haaland and add his goalscoring talents to their already overpowered side. This move will see the 2023/24 treble winners spend around 120 million to complete if the Irish youngster chooses to leave Brighton in the near future.
The move by City is also seen as succession planning in case they are unable to prevent Haaland from going to Real Madrid. The 14-time UEFA Champions League winners remain one of the world’s biggest clubs and players rarely say no to a Madrid move. Ferguson’s addition could mean that City have found a replacement for the player long before Haaland leaves and he will have enough time to be moulded into the quintessential City player.
Ferguson will play alongside Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, giving Pep Guardiola – and future Manchester City managers – enough ammunition for their targets.
This revelation has worried Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, who were also said to be interested in the player.
Roberto De Zerbi expressed relief over the transfer window closing before the interest in Ferguson came to light. “Yes, that’s good news,” De Zerbi said after Ferguson’s hattrick against Newcastle on matchday four of the 2023/24 season. “Yes [clubs will want him] but it’s normal for Brighton to sell their players.
“The most important thing for Brighton is not to keep the most important player but to find a replacement. This is the right work we have to do.
“He knows the way to score in incredible [ways].”
Ferguson is contracted to the Seagulls until 2028.
