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5th December 2024
11:11am GMT
Evan Ferguson is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports.
Nottingham Forest are the latest team said to be keen on signing the Republic of Ireland striker from Brighton.
The Premier League side are currently one place below Brighton in the table, overperforming expectations, and are in the market for a new striker.
Forest centre-forward Chris Wood is in excellent form, with nine goals in 13 Premier League games.
The New Zealand striker, however, is out of contract at the end of the current season, meaning the club may soon be in the market for a replacement.
According to Football Insider, Forest are interested in signing Ferguson on a permanent deal in January.
Brighton, however, may not be prepared to do business.
Last week, there were reports that the Seagulls were willing to let the 20-year-old centre-forward leave the club on loan in January to get some much-needed first-team football.
Leicester City and Fulham were said to be interested in signing the Ireland forward, who scored 17 goals in 83 games for the Premier League side.
Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler, however, dismissed the rumours and said that Ferguson remains an important part of the squad, despite falling behind Danny Welbeck, Joao Pedro, and Georginio Rutter in the pecking order.
"I don’t know where this information comes from," Hurzeler said.
"I told Evan I’m happy with his training, his physical and mental shape.
"He’s a young player who needs game time, but he must accept his role and be ready when the chance comes.
"It’s the same thing I demand from other players," he said.
"You can be disappointed if you’re not playing, but you must ensure you’re ready when called upon. That’s what I expect from Evan.
"I never said anything about a loan. We’re happy Evan is here, and I’m sure he can help us next week."
Ferguson, who signed a long-term contract with Brighton until 2029, has seen his development stall following a breakthrough in the 2022/23 campaign.
An ankle injury sidelined him for much of 2024, and he has since been limited to just seven Premier League appearances this season—only one of which was a start.
Yet, Ferguson is one of only four teenagers to score a hat-trick in the Premier League and remains a striker with huge potential.
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