West Ham are among the favourites to sign Brighton and Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson on loan until the end of the season, the Daily Mail reports.
The 20-year-old has had an injury-troubled season and is yet to play a full 90 minutes in the 2024/25 campaign. He is currently out with an ankle injury which has seen him out of action since before Christmas.
The Republic of Ireland international was given his debut in English football at Brighton by current Hammers boss Graham Potter, which could give West Ham the advantage ahead of other interested clubs such as Spurs, Bournemouth and Everton.
With Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug both out with injuries for the foreseeable future, a striker will once more be a priority for West Ham this transfer window.
With only four days left of the window, West Ham will have to act quickly if they want to sign a forward and Evan Ferguson feels like an achievable signing with his lack of game time for Brighton this season.
Ferguson’s natural ability
The striker impressed when leading the line for the Seagulls in the previous two seasons as a teenager, netting 12 goals across the two campaigns.
Ferguson has an undeniable eye for goal, which was reflected by his 61% shooting accuracy in the league last season, a significant improvement on the 34% average amongst the West Ham players last season.
Also, Ferguson’s youth and his experience playing in the top-flight will certainly be a factor in the interest for the striker.
With Graham Potter starting to show signs of his more attacking style of football with more chances being created as seen in Sunday’s draw against Villa, the prospect of a natural striker leading the line for the Hammers will excite West Ham supporters.
Concerns around his injury record will be a worry though with already four key attacking players for West Ham currently out with injury, meaning the Hammers can’t afford to sign another player with injury problems.
In saying that, despite no official confirmation of a return date for Ferguson yet announced by Brighton, if a loan was put in place, could this suggest a return to the pitch is near for the striker?
With West Ham having the second-oldest squad in the Premier League this season, a young and hungry striker with a point to prove may be exactly what the side need to give them a boost in the second half of the season.