Brighton held the aces as far as West Ham’s original ‘preferred’ loan signing this winter window. Evan Ferguson, out of the Hammers’ reach on a purchase deal (with the Seagulls’ claimed £100 million price tag), was top of the Irons’ list for a short- term loan signing to bolster the striker options at the club for the second half of the season. With no Michail Antonio, Ferguson represented the next best thing available.
Whilst he’s not fit enough to start for Brighton at the weekend, a loan would have give him the chance to re-build match fitness as he’d get guaranteed game time at London Stadium: Unlike at The Amex where he’s third choice and can’t get minutes on the pitch.
Brighton boss Fabien Hurzeler today recognised the predicament which Ferguson was in, speaking to Sussexexpress.co.uk ahead of the weekend Premier League fixtures:
“We see his potential, but it is also important that he gets enough game time to develop and to improve.“..And as far as a loan option? Hurzeler again :
“It’s always a decision we make together. So, We want to hear his opinion, his thoughts. We want to hear also his needs, his wishes and then it is also the club’s side.”
So, much will depend upon their player’s attitude. He’s only managed two starts this season at The Amex which cannot be good for one with a hit-and-miss injury record who desperately needs time on the pitch to build up fitness.
Brighton were earlier on the record as being prepared to make West Ham wait until the very end of the window before deciding on Ferguson’s future. 11 days to go and still West Ham are no nearer a decision. There is a sneaking suspicion that Brighton were just playing the game to frustrate West Ham along with Everton, Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus and Tottenham all of whom have been linked with the 21 year old target man.
The emergence of strikers Andre Silva and Brian Brobbey this afternoon as being ‘contingency’ names on the shortlist may well signal that West Ham’s patience is at an end and confirmation that the Hammers are making a move in a different direction to at least safeguard one signing: It will reassure fans that come the end of the window there WILL be a new front man in the squad.
