Celtic striker hunt hits overdrive as Evan Ferguson transfer insider breaks rank and Kvistgaarden talks 'in full swing'
Richard Dunne has lifted the lid on talks with Brighton star Evan Ferguson's DAD about his future amid links with a move to Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers is on the lookout for a new striker after the departure of Kyogo for Stade Rennes - with Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler leaving the door open for a loan exit for the 20-year-old before the end of the month. The Ireland international has found game time hard to come by this season having failed to make an appearance for Brighton in more than a month when he was granted a five-minute cameo against West Ham.
Reports south of the border suggest that Celtic have joined the likes of Everton, Fulham, West Ham in the race for a loan deal. But Dunne, speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes' 'Gaffer of all Accas', reckons that a stay in the Premier League is most likely: “I was with Evan Ferguson's dad the other day; he's someone I played school football with in Ireland, and we've been friends ever since.
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"We were chatting about Evan and his experience, and it's just amazing to see him doing so well, and being talked about. To be honest, it's been the case for his whole career; even from a young age, he was well sought after, and the fact that he's delivered and proven himself in the Premier League means that interest has only progressed and grown.
“It's not been plain sailing, though. There's been injuries, and moments where he's not been in the best of form, and the change of managers at Brighton has brought up something else.
“But he needs to play regularly, so it's probably time for him (to look elsewhere). Brighton seem to have found a formula which the manager thinks is working at the moment, and it doesn't seem to include Evan starting games.
“If he gets the opportunity over the next few days - and I'm sure he will - it'll be nice to see him go somewhere and start playing games. That's the first problem for him; he needs to go to a club, knowing that he's going to be playing games. Hopefully that's in the Premier League.
“And if he does get the opportunity to play, say, 15 games, between now and the end of the season, well then all of that interest we've seen in him over the last few years is going to come back."
Elsewhere, Brondby are reportedly ready to play hardball over a deal for Mathias Kvistgaarden amid escalating interest from the Hoops. The 22-year-old is valued at around £13.5m but Bold report the Danish club have told suitors they want to "avoid selling him now".
However, with Eintracht Frankfurt said to also be showing an interest the club are said to accept that January may be the best time to cash in on the forward to break their transfer record. It is said conversations with suitors are "in full swing" behind the scenes despite their preference to keep Kvistgaarden until the end of the season.
The Premiership leaders are also said to be among a number of clubs chasing Randers FC forward Tammer Bany. And speculation over the future of the 21-year-old only intensified after it was announced he would be missing the mid-season friendly clash with AC Horsens.
However, sports director Soren Pedersen has moved to clear up any doubts over the status of their star man. He told Bold: "He is struggling a bit with injuries and are being spared, but he is completely ready for training camp."
