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Manchester United launched a “dramatic late approach” to sign Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson in the January transfer window, according to a report.
Ferguson, 20, has endured a frustrating time at the Amex Stadium in recent years after bursting onto the scene as the Seagulls’ third youngest debutant ever following his debut against Cardiff City in 2021. He has since gone on to become Brighton and the Republic of Ireland’s youngest ever scorer.
The following season, as a then 18-year-old, Ferguson scored six goals and provided two assists in 19 appearances in the Premier League for Brighton – an impressive return for such a young striker.
But the Irish international demonstrated a predatory instinct which belied his years, while retaining a physical frame which made the introduction to men’s football a smooth one.
United were linked with a move the following summer in 2023 after Old Trafford scouts returned glowing reports on Ferguson. But this interest was never followed up and the Red Devils instead opted to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta in a deal worth £72 million.
Ferguson’s progress has halted since this point, however. As has the clamour for one of England’s big clubs to sign the 20-year-old, though it is natural for a young striker’s progress to not be linear.
In the first half of this season, Ferguson had played only a bit-part role for Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler, making 13 appearances with only one goal.
Consequently, in the final week of January, with the winter window drawing to a close, the Seagulls “made it clear…that their Republic of Ireland international would be available on loan,” according to The 42 – a reputable Irish sports outlet.
West Ham emerged as the frontrunners for Ferguson with former Brighton manager Graham Potter, who handed the striker his debut at the Amex Stadium, now in charge of the Hammers.
Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea also expressed interest but it was the East London club who pulled ahead in negotiations, despite Ferguson preferring a move to Stamford Bridge.
“Bayer Leverkusen in Germany were understood to be strongly in the frame for Ferguson at this stage but Chelsea remained the preferred destination for the player, right up until the night before he was actually was due for a medical at West Ham,” the report by The 42 details.
However, West Ham’s pursuit was almost hijacked by United who made “firm advances” to sign Ferguson that the 20-year-old striker almost rejected the Hammers in favour of a last-gasp switch to Old Trafford.
“When Chelsea pulled out, other clubs are believed to have challenged West Ham even as the medical approached. Fulham wanted to do business, and it can be revealed that Manchester United made such firm advances late in the window to try and bring Ferguson to Old Trafford that he almost reneged on his commitment to West Ham, before ultimately sticking with the Hammers as it was so far down the line.”
Ultimately, the Reds’ dramatic move proved unsuccessful and the club were unable to sign a new forward for Ruben Amorim despite both Marcus Rashford and Antony leaving on loan.
United would finish the season in 15th in the league with unceremonious exits from both the FA Cup and, more crucially, the Europa League. It was the club’s worst season in the Premier League era and they broke multiple records in terms of points, position, and losses.
But it was also the lowest scoring campaign by a United season in the top division’s history with just 44 goals across 38 games. Only four teams scored less than Amorim’s side – Everton and the three relegated clubs, Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton.
The senior striking partnership of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee combined for just seven league goals, despite totalling fees in excess of £100 million across the last two summers. Rashford and Antony scored the same number of league goals for their adopted sides combined across four months of football, comparison.
The need for a new forward in January was urgent, and it’s an indictment on the current options at Old Trafford that an out-of-form 20-year-old striker for Brighton would still have provided an upgrade on them.
If Amorim had been able to call upon Ferguson in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, in place of the woeful Hojlund, it could have salvaged success in an otherwise abysmal season for the Red Devils.
Featured image Charles McQuillan via Getty Images
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