Manchester United target Evan Ferguson close to new contract at Brighton

Manchester United have reportedly been dealt a blow in the transfer market as transfer target Evan Ferguson is close to signing a new contract with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Manchester United are prioritising a striker for the summer window after Anthony Martial’s intermittent availability and questions on Wout Weghorst’s ability. Evan Ferguson has been linked to United in their striker search.

The 18-year-old Irish youngster has enjoyed a breakout campaign with Brighton under the tutelage of Roberto de Zerbi. Ferguson has scored four goals and laid on two assists in the Premier League from just 601 minutes of football. It is unlikely that Brighton will be able to deter other teams from pursuing him but this puts them in a strong negotiating position regardless.

Manchester United’s striker targets

Manchester United have started playing potent attacking football under Erik Ten Hag. However, their standard of finishing has repeatedly let them down this season, often costing them results in games they have dominated.

Erik Ten Hag will seek to rectify this situation by filling the gaping hole up front. Chief among Manchester United’s striker targets are Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, with there being links to Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos as well, in addition to Evan Ferguson.

However, each of those deals will be difficult to complete. While Tottenham and Daniel Levy always drive a hard bargain, especially to a domestic rival, Napoli are also unlikely to bow down to prospective buyers’ pressure in the Osimhen chase.

Figures north of €80 million have been quoted for Goncalo Ramos, a steep price for a relatively unproven player in comparison to Kane and Osimhen. Now with Ferguson apparently off the market with his new deal, the headaches for United and its scouting department will increase.

However, even if interest in Ferguson was genuine, it was unlikely that United would have placed all their bets on an 18-year-old who’d be playing his second full season in the Premier League. They would have chased a marquee striker regardless.

Manchester United would now look to focus all their efforts on sealing a deal for said striker while continuing to keep tabs on the development of the exciting Irish striker.