There have been significant developments in West Ham’s pursuit of striker Evan Ferguson and now Brighton may have given the game away.
West Ham’s links to Brighton striker Evan Ferguson have intensified since Graham Potter was appointed earlier this month.
Hammers fans have been venting their anger at the fact the club is yet to sign new forward.
That’s understandable given West Ham knew they needed a striker long before injuries to Michail Antonio, Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen.
West Ham revealed they faced a major hurdle to sign Ferguson when it emerged Brighton really are open to letting him leave before Monday’s deadline.
Potter has insisted he has been reluctant to sign players for the sake of it.
The new boss has made it clear West Ham must sign the right players and characters if they are to right the wrongs of previous rebuilds.
Ferguson is certainly the right character and striker as far as his former manager is concerned.
Potter has told David Sullivan Ferguson is the man he wants at West Ham.
Brighton drop major hint Ferguson is on his way to West Ham
Earlier today, his current manager Fabian Hurzeler made it clear Ferguson is one his way out of the Amex.
That came just hours after Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg claimed West Ham are confident they are close to signing the 20-year-old Irishman once valued at £100m.
A loan with obligation to buy and a £40m permanent deal have been mooted.
Claret and Hugh also claim to have been told by a club source that the move is now ‘highly likely’ and ‘the player wants it’.
Now Brighton have inadvertently dropped a major hint Ferguson is on his way to West Ham.
When it comes to conducting transfer business “properly” Brighton are seen as market leaders.
Along with the likes of Aston Villa and perhaps Liverpool and Brentford, the Seagulls are stealthy, efficient and get deals done quickly for talent they identify who aren’t necessarily household names.
Hammers fans are hoping that having Potter on board along with trusted head of recruitment Kyle Macauley will transform their club in that regard.
Usually when Brighton sign a player, the deal is all but done by the time it emerges in the press.
If that’s the case then it looks like good news is on the way for West Ham.
Hammers fans don’t like the idea of signing Ferguson – or anyone for that matter – on a straight loan.
It reeks of a lack of forward-planning and ambition.
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Seagulls already have deal in place for Ferguson replacement
Well the good news for West Ham is that Brighton are clearly planning for Ferguson’s permanent departure.
Because they have a deal lined up to sign Greek striker Stefanos Tzimas – who has ironically been heavily linked with West Ham this window too.
Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg says Tzimas is currently leaning towards a move to Brighton in the summer after having ‘very good talks with Hurzeler’.
Plettenberg says Brighton are in pole position to sign the 1. FC Nurnberg star for around £20m plus bonus payments in summer.
Before that, his current club will be activating their £15m buy option for the 19-year-old striker talent.
It seems West Ham fans can start getting their hopes up about landing Ferguson.
The player is said to be keen to work with Potter again after he brought him to Brighton from Ireland and gave him his Premier League debut.
Given how savvy and shrewd Brighton are regarding transfers, West Ham fans are understandably wary as to why they would let a top talent like Ferguson leave.
Therein lies the risk in football transfers.
At least this time West Ham are looking to bring in a player of the right age profile so that gamble is lessened.
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