Arsenal target Evan Ferguson is allowed to leave Brighton & Hove Albion this month, it has been reported. The 20-year-old has struggled for regular game time this season, having started just two Premier League matches.

Ferguson hasn't featured for the Seagulls since Saturday, December 21 due to an ankle injury and his time at the Amex Stadium could be coming to an end. The Athletic reports that Brighton are prepared to let the Republic of Ireland international depart on a permanent deal before the end of the January transfer window.

It's added that Ferguson has attracted significant loan interest from Premier League and top-flight clubs abroad, but Brighton are also open at selling him at the right price if the circumstances suit the club and the player. The Seagulls have already rejected a permanent bid from an unnamed club for Ferguson.

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West Ham and Marseille are among those interested in signing Ferguson. That is no surprise considering that Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi - his two former managers at Brighton - are now with them two clubs.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are another that could make a late January move for Ferguson. According to talkSPORT, Mikel Arteta's side 'cannot be ruled out' of trying to sign Ferguson before the February 3 deadline.

With Ferguson now having got the green light to leave Brighton this month, Arsenal can make their move. The Gunners might want to dip into the transfer market for a new centre forward in the next six days.

Gabriel Jesus is out for the rest of the season with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, while Kai Havertz, who is the other recognised senior striker in the Arsenal squad, has struggled for consistent form this season.

Speaking last Friday, Arteta stressed the need for the Gunners to strengthen up front this month. "My opinion is clear," the Spaniard said when asked about the need for Arsenal to sign a forward. "We lost two very important players in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, so we lack goals, people, and options in the front line.

"It's clear that for the period that we have lost them, ideally we need some help, because we were short already and we're even shorter. The team has still coped with that but we have do what is right for the club.

"If we can get the right player, that's what we are actively looking at, but any player - no, we need someone that makes us better and makes an impact on the team.

"We have very, very short numbers for many, many weeks and they recognise the situation, we all do. That's why we are trying to do what is right for the club, the team, that's our intention."

When asked if Arsenal have identified potential targets, Arteta answered: "Yes."

While Ferguson's injury record and scoring return this season is not ideal, he could help solve the glaring issue of a new No.9 in the Arsenal squad. Ferguson scored 10 goals in 25 appearances during his breakthrough 2022/23 season but has since not hit those heights, having netted once in 14 matches this campaign.

He has raw physical attributes including pace, strength and stamina. His best technical traits including long shooting, finishing, ball control, heading and composure. If Arsenal can get the best out of Ferguson then there is no doubt he has the potential to become a world class centre forward in the future.