West Ham Transfer Rumours: Hammers to miss out on top striker target Evan Ferguson?
Injuries haven’t helped West Ham this season. At the time of writing, Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug are both sidelined, while Jarrod Bowen is also among those absent for the Hammers. Danny Ings is the only fit senior striker, and even then; Graham Potter has overlooked the former Liverpool and Aston Villa man in favour of Lucas Paqueta.
In the final knockings of the January transfer window, West Ham are expected to make a move for a striker. Another midfielder may also be on the agenda for the east London side, but the priority should be adding a new frontman before next week’s transfer deadline.
Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath is one that has been linked with a move this week, while Ajax striker Brian Brobbey is of interest to the capital outfit. However, the standout target as far as some West Ham supporters are concerned is Brighton forward Evan Ferguson.
The 20-year-old has struggled for consistent game time since breaking onto the scene on the south coast having registered just 219 minutes of Premier League action under Fabian Hurzeler at the AMEX Stadium this season. Brighton are prepared to sanction the exit of a player who scored six times in England’s top tier last term.
Few at Brighton would have expected Ferguson to have been in this position and a transfer away from the south coast is seemingly the best move for the Ireland international. Behind Danny Welbeck, Joao Pedro and Georginio Rutter in the pecking order, Ferguson needs minutes and at West Ham, he’d be guaranteed a regular spot in the starting XI.
Evan Ferguson Next Club Odds
In addition, he’d link up with former Brighton boss Graham Potter, who gave Ferguson his debut in the 2021/22 season. At the time of writing, West Ham are at 5/2 to be Ferguson’s next club. However, he was at 1/2 earlier on Tuesday, with Bayer Leverkusen now believed to be keen on a move for the youngster.
The Bundesliga champions are expected to sell Victor Boniface to Saudi side Al-Nassr this month, and Xabi Alonso will be reluctant to go into the second half of the season short of attacking options. It’s not a surprise, then, that Bayer Leverkusen are now at 11/4 to sign Ferguson, while a move to any German side is at evens.
West Ham may need a striker to ease their goal issues but they could yet miss out on their top forward target.