Whilst not every West Ham fan will be thrilled that the signing of Evan Ferguson is only a loan deal, it’s worth remembering that nothing about this transfer is without risk.
The young Brighton striker has had his fledgling football career beset by injuries, and I believe the Hammers were wise to implement a try-before-you-buy policy.
It is understood the Seagulls would have preferred a straight transfer with a permanent deal for £40 million. However, West Ham have done well to negotiate the deal as a loan-only transaction.
That said, there is the possibility that Ferguson arrives at West Ham, has a Jesse Lingard-type impact, avoids injury, and returns to the south coast with his reputation enhanced.
In that eventuality, the Hammers would have benefited from the loan but ultimately priced themselves out of a permanent deal.
But there is also risk on Brighton & Hove Albion’s side. If the big Irish striker fails to shine at West Ham or picks up another ankle injury, his price will depreciate.
There is probably no ideal solution, but West Ham have managed to cover the absence of the injured Niclas Füllkrug and Michail Antonio without dipping into the summer transfer fund.
Ultimately, if Ferguson proves to be a success at the London Stadium, the Hammers will have enjoyed the benefits of an excellent player for six months. However, if the 20-year-old fails to make an impression, then we haven’t really lost anything at all.
