Transfer News
I would love to play for Man utd by January – Brighton make final transfer decision on £70m Man United target after his shock message to united
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I would love to play for Man utd by January – Brighton make final transfer decision on £70m Man United target after his shock message to united
The 19-year-old penned a new long-term contract earlier this month but Man United remain interested in his signature and a transfer could still happen.
Evan Ferguson could leave Brighton despite signing a new long-term contract.
Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber has admitted that young striker Evan Ferguson will likely leave the AMEX despite recently signing a new long-term contract.
Manchester United are one of several top teams keeping tabs on Ferguson, who has developed into one of Europe’s most promising stars over the past 12 months. Still only 19-years-old, the Republic or Ireland international has 11 Premier League goals to his name and is a key part of Roberto De Zerbi’s exciting attack on the south coast.
Ferguson penned a new long-term contract with Brighton earlier this month, committing himself to the Seagulls until 2029. But MEN Sport understands the striker could leave next year and now Barber has fuelled speculation of a move away.
“At some point in the future, Evan’s gonna be playing at an even higher level if his trajectory continues as it is,” Barber told Soccerex TV. “We want to make sure that we do everything we can to prepare him for that – not just on the field, but off the field as well, give him as much support as we can.
“I think, as I said before, that the higher level we can play at, the more chance we’ve got of keeping our top players for longer. It doesn’t mean to say that we can keep them forever, because players will have their own ambitions of the club they want to play for, and the league they want to play in, and the competitions they want to perform in. And we have to be respectful of that.
“I believe that – and [Brighton chairman] Tony Bloom believes that – if we can actually show players clear pathways, not just through our club but also beyond our club, that will actually help us attract other younger players in the future to our club as well. Which is a good thing because that keeps our model moving. It keeps our cycle progressing and hopefully it keeps us successful as well.”
After signing his new contract, Ferguson admitted he had received interest throughout last summer but decided to stay with Brighton in order to aid his development. The teenager is a regular starter under De Zerbi when fit and has been able to gain experience in the Europa League this season.
United are still interested in Ferguson and manager Erik ten Hag remains keen to strengthen the No.9 position. The Dutchman spent £72million on Rasmus Hojlund in the summer but the 20-year-old is yet to score in the Premier League and cannot be solely relied upon for goals.
The imminent arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a minority shareholder could pave the way for a major clear-out of underperforming attackers.
Jadon Sancho is almost certain to leave in January after being exiled from the first-team squad by Ten Hag, while the club may opt against extending Anthony Martial’s contract for a further 12 months to get him off the books next summer