Exclusive: West Ham accelerate Evan Ferguson deal after his reveal
West Ham are plotting a move to sign Evan Ferguson on loan in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
This comes after the club confirmed Michail Antonio underwent surgery on a lower limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday (7 December).
Sources say the Hammers were already planning to sign a new striker in the winter window, but their efforts have accelerated as a result of the incident.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 22 November that the 20-year-old Ferguson wants to quit Brighton in January in search of increased playing time.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds United have also been linked with a move to sign the Ireland international, but the Hammers have now entered the running.
The Brighton striker’s availability on loan has put clubs on alert ahead of the January transfer window and there is likely to be a scramble for his signature.
West Ham are now confident they will be able to offer Ferguson regular minutes in the Premier League, although they will also expect Niclas Fullkrug to step up.
West Ham plot loan move for Brighton star Evan Ferguson
Ferguson has been on West Ham’s radar as a result of his availability, but Antonio’s absence will leave Fullkrug and Danny Ings as their only options.
Between them, the two forwards have started just one league game this season as the Jamaican remains the firm first-choice under Julen Lopetegui, while Fullkrug has struggled with injuries.
Antonio and Ings are also set to see their contracts expire at the end of the season with no new deals on the horizon as things stand.
Football Insider revealed in September that both strikers could leave the club in January in a last-ditch attempt to raise some funds before their contracts expire.
As a result, they have been keen to add another centre-forward to their squad in the transfer window to add greater depth to their attacking options.
Ferguson has now risen near the top of their list of targets, with a loan move viewed as more likely than a permanent deal in Antonio’s absence.
In other news, Graham Potter has been spotted at West Ham.
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