Chief executive admits he could sell ‘incredible’ striker after he’s linked with Liverpool

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Liverpool could have just received some good news in terms of a long-term transfer target.

Although the Reds are seemingly unlikely to make any additions during the January window, they’re always busy behind the scenes.

Part of that is recruiting top youngsters to join from elsewhere around Britain. Liverpool have done good work in this regard in recent years. 16-year-old Trey Nyoni, signed from Leicester City in the summer, looks set to be the next good example of this.

These top talents are much coveted, though. There’s always a chance that someone else will pip you to them. That happened back in 2020, when Liverpool attempted to sign a young striker named Evan Ferguson from Bohemians. Unfortunately, the Irishman chose Brighton instead [GOAL].

Since linked with Liverpool again, the Seagulls chief executive Paul Barber has now spoke to TalkSPORT to admit that it’s ‘part of the plan’ that Ferguson will be sold at some stage.

“With someone like Evan who’s an incredible talent, an incredible talent, he’s still got a way to go to learn his trade,” Barber explained. “So, yeah, letting him go at some point in the future is going to be I’m sure part of the plan both from our side and Evan’s side but in the short-term we want to try and make sure that we develop him as best we can.”

Brighton planning Ferguson sale

Barber isn’t the only one to be talking Ferguson up for greatness. Daniel Sturridge, a man who knows a thing or two about being a top striker – recently declared his excitement over the 19-year-old.

Virgil van Dijk is another who has spoken highly of Ferguson over the past six months.

From our point of view though, we’re not sure we get the hype. Yes, he has the look of a good prospect. But aren’t things being blown out of proportion a little?

There’s been talk of Brighton expecting to bank more than £100m when the time to sell Ferguson eventually comes.

We’re sorry but how can that be the case? If the teenager was on a tear and banging in the goals for fun, then maybe that could be understood. At one stage last season he was looking good to do that.

But halfway through the campaign and Ferguson has only six goals to his name. Three of those came in the same match, against Newcastle way back in September. He now hasn’t scored since November. That isn’t the form of a £100m player.

Of course, the Ireland international is still very young and could go on to do great things. But just now, we can’t help but feel Brighton – and Barber – are getting ahead of themselves.

They’ve had great success with bringing in young players for a pittance and selling them on for enormous amounts. With Moises Caicedo struggling a little at Chelsea though, we’d imagine clubs may be getting a touch wary of buying big from Brighton. The bubble will burst at some point. We hope for Ferguson’s sake that doesn’t fall on him, but we’re not convinced. Sorry.