Tottenham Hotspur are already preparing the ground for the signing of reported Liverpool target Evan Ferguson.
Ferguson has been one of the breakout stars of his season’s Premier League, scoring six goals in 17 games for Brighton. Four further goals in all competitions means the 18-year-old has hit double figures this term.
Clearly, that kind of form hasn’t gone unnoticed by the football world. And Sky Sports now report that both Tottenham and Manchester United have ‘laid down groundwork’ for a move to get Ferguson in summer 2024.
Both reportedly see the teenager as a ‘strong candidate’ to solve their respective striker needs. Meanwhile, Manchester City are also said to have been discussing Ferguson in the event that Erling Haaland ever leaves the club. Roma boss Jose Mourinho is another named admirer.
Never ones to under-value their players, Brighton are claimed to have earmarked the Irishman as a potentially £100m player. Any move for Ferguson appears to be slated for next summer, with the Seagulls set to hang onto him for now.
Ferguson in-demand as Liverpool look to Brighton
With fees like these being bandied about, it’s difficult to see Liverpool getting involved. However, they have repeatedly been named as being interested in Ferguson.
It’s very likely that the Reds have indeed continued to track the youngster, having missed out on signing him from Bohemians in 2021.
They also do seem to have taken a liking to Brighton players recently. Ferguson is seen as one of three potential targets from the South Coast club. The others being Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.
Of those three though, it looks like Mac Allister will be the only one through the doors at Anfield. The Argentine’s prospective move to Merseyside is said to be ‘90% done.‘
Caciedo meanwhile has been touted as the perfect replacement for Fabinho. However, like Ferguson, Brighton reportedly value the Ecuadorian at £100m. Not going to happen.
If these kinds of price-tags continue to be dotted about, there’s going to be a certain ‘Brighton tax’ that comes into play. Whereby the Seagulls tag an extra 10, 20, £30m onto their players simply because of where they’re signed from. And clubs will no doubt pay it.
It’s all about the marketing. What would you choose, the empty, brandless product, or the same one with the designer branding? It’s human nature. All we can say is thank goodness Mac Allister has a release clause.
Not that Ferguson isn’t an excellent young player, he is. But for £100m, Spurs, he’s yours.