Nottingham Forest transfer target approached by Premier League rivals as January battle begins
The race for the signature of Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson is well and truly underway as the Seagulls receive their first approach for him this January transfer window.
Nottingham Forest were recently touted as potential suitors for the Irishman, according to The Telegraph, who is rumoured to be heading out on loan this month, his name "floated" to Forest. Improving their striking assets is considered a priority for the East Midlands side this month as they look to find cover and competition for the in-form Chris Wood. Nigerian centre forward Taiwo Awoniyi has struggled this season in his appearances off the bench after experiencing injury troubles last season and the Garibaldi are reportedly open to letting him go should they find a replacement of similar or higher quality.
Recent reports have suggested that Brighton would prefer an option to buy included in any loan deal for Ferguson who has scored one goal in 12 appearances this season. Amongst the other teams reportedly interested in his services are London-based clubs West Ham United, Arsenal and Fulham, with Manchester United also showing an interest in previous seasons. Several clubs are said to have already enquired.
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The first club to make a move for the 20-year-old has reportedly been Forest's domestic rivals West Ham. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Hammers have contacted Ferguson's club over a temporary move for the Republic of Ireland international.
Nuno Espírito Santo and his colleagues will have to soon make a decision over whether or not to pursue the Brighton striker this month as other sides begin to make their interest concrete. However, it is said that the East Sussex side has not yet decided whether to let their no.28 depart this month.
Ferguson has previously been touted as one of Europe's hottest prospects, with all-time Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer describing him as "the real deal". He broke into the Albion first team at the age of 17, scoring 10 goals for the club in 2022/23 and winning the club's Young Player of the Season award. He made a further impact in English football in September of the following campaign, scoring a hat-trick against Champions League-competing Newcastle United.
His early Brighton career has been slightly hampered by injury, however. Ferguson has suffered ankle issues which kept him out at the back end of last season and for the first couple of games of the current campaign.
The former Bohemians centre forward has showed that he is a capable goalscorer and talented all-round centre forward and, given a run of consistent games, could prove to be a threat in the Premier League on a long term basis and one that would add youth and quality to the Forest ranks.
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