Brighton CEO Paul Barber categorically rules out exit for Evan Ferguson after loan links

Brighton CEO Paul Barber has shut down speculation over an exit for Evan Ferguson and insists he’s ‘very happy’.

It was reported this week that the striker has been made available on loan in the upcoming January transfer window.

Ferguson has only started one Premier League match this season, with boss Fabian Hurzeler opting to name other attacking options.

Hurzeler played down speculation of a departure for the Irishman though, saying: “I don’t know where this information comes.”

He also revealed he’s happy having Ferguson in his squad and CEO Barber seems to have ruled out the prospect of him leaving.

Speaking exclusively to Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent on Drive ahead of Brighton’s Premier League clash at home to Southampton on Friday, live on talkSPORT, he said: “Evan’s a really important part of the squad.

“Sometimes mischievous rumours emerge from various strange places and one or two journalists will buy into those ideas, put out there by one or two other clubs perhaps in some cases.

“But Evan’s very happy, we’ve very happy with Evan, we expect him to be an important of the squad throughout the season.

“Unfortunately, sometimes in this business we know that the rumour mill and the noise on the outside is stuff you have to ignore.”

talkSPORT reported in January that Ferguson, who has scored 17 goals in 74 appearances for Brighton, was a target for Chelsea.

However, the Seagulls believed the 20-year-old is worth more than what the Blues paid for Moises Caicedo, which was £115million.

Brighton have been praised for their transfer market dealing as sales including Caicedo have helped generate large sums of income.

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Marc Cucurella and Ben White have also been notable exits to bring financial gain to a club who are still able to compete even when top talents go.

Barber was asked about how difficult it is to keep players when big offers come in, as well as who has the final say on departures.

He gave an insight into club sales when he said: “Well, it will always be ultimately the chairman because he owns the club and we’re using his money, whether we’re bringing money in or spending it.

“I think the key thing is that we all talk about it openly, we don’t sort of disengage the player by hearing a bid and then not talking to the player’s agent.

“Nine times out of ten, 99 times out of 100, the agent will know before we will anyway, but the most important thing is that we have to sell at the right time for everybody.

“It might be a little bit too early for the player, it might not be the right club for the player, it might not be the right time for us, it might not be the right transfer window for us.

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“So, we try and be as open as possible, we try and have players on contracts that give us ultimately the control and if that is the case, then all the circumstances have to be right for us to want to sell.

“If they’re not right, we won’t sell. If we think it’s going to be to the detriment of the team in the short-term, we won’t sell.”

Brighton will rise to second in the Premier League with a win against Southampton, overtaking Chelsea and Arsenal.

It would further highlight the incredible progress they have made in recent years, as well as under Hurzeler this season.