Why Arsenal, Chelsea & Man Utd should be extremely wary of signing €100m target

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 18 Feb 2024 16:06 GMT
• 3 min read

Brighton & Hove Albion star Evan Ferguson has been touted as the next big thing since his breakout under Roberto De Zerbi, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United all linked with a move since the start of 2023.

The Republic of Ireland international only turned 19 in October, but he is already attracting interest from the very biggest clubs in the Premier League.

In August, FootballTransfers reported that Arsenal are viewing Ferguson as a possible target for 2024 as they look to bolster their forward line, while Chelsea and Manchester United are known admirers too.

The Brighton star is wanted by some of the biggest teams in England, but Ferguson’s suitors must be extremely wary of pursuing a move in 2024 as he may not be ready for a starring role at a huge club and Brighton are highly likely to demand a fee close to the €116 million that Chelsea paid to sign Moises Caicedo last summer.

Is Ferguson ready to leave Brighton?

While there is no doubting Ferguson’s obvious talent, he is not yet the finished article and he has shared minutes at Brighton throughout his time in the first-team.

This season, Ferguson has only started 15 of the Seagulls’ 34 games in all competitions, with Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro often preferred by De Zerbi.

The fact that De Zerbi hasn’t rushed Ferguson into an immediate first-choice, un-droppable role is certainly a good thing - given his age - but it also suggests that a mega move away isn’t yet the right choice.

Furthermore, Ferguson’s goal tally this season should act as a telling sign that he is not ready to lead the line for a team with Champions League ambitions.

The Irishman has scored six goals in 29 games in all competitions so far this campaign, three of which came in one game against Newcastle United, and he has not scored in his last 15 Brighton appearances.

His last goal came against Nottingham Forest in November and Ferguson has only started one of Brighton's last eight Premier League games.

He is unquestionably an elite talent with ability that very few strikers possess, but Ferguson hasn’t yet proven himself to be a €100m player and that fee is what the Seagulls will demand to sanction a sale.

In five years, Ferguson will likely be considered as one of the very best strikers in world football, but staying at Brighton for the next few years would be a wise decision.