Man Utd: Brighton make Evan Ferguson move amid interest

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 11 Apr 2023 19:14 BST
• 3 min read

Brighton are trying to tie Evan Ferguson down to a new contract amid interest in the Irish prodigy from Manchester United.

Ferguson has burst onto the scene with Brighton and Ireland this season, scoring eight goals from 18 games in all competitions with the former, despite his tender 18 years, and making his senior debut for the latter in November.

United have a need for a No.9 meanwhile, with Wout Weghorst struggling to impress after joining on loan from Burnley, via Besiktas, in January, and 27-goal top scorer Marcus Rashford doing his best work from the left flank.

READ: Long-term Man Utd target hailed as 'amazing' by World Cup winner

Whilst the Red Devils are interested in Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Napoli's Victor Osimhen, both men would likely cost north of €100 million and Ferguson has been lined up as a cheaper - and younger - alternative.

But the Seagulls are in no rush to sell.

Brighton's Ferguson hope

"Brighton are hopeful of agreeing a new contract with boy wonder Evan Ferguson before the end of the month - despite strong interest from Manchester United and Tottenham," report the Daily Mail.

"Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton are lucky to have the 18-year-old forward, who they picked up from Irish side Bohemians ahead of Liverpool, and says he can become a 'European great.'"

READ: Which Premier League giant is Evan Ferguson best suited to?

It is understood that Ferguson supported Man Utd as a youngster and idolised Wayne Rooney, but a move this summer could be premature with more minutes likely at the Amex than Old Trafford.

"I can't guarantee what will happen in the future but for the short term I have no doubt, the best place for Evan to be is at Brighton & Hove Albion," De Zerbi said recently.

"I believe he'll be here for at least a few seasons to come. That'll be good for his career. Long term, the world is his oyster."

Ferguson signed a new four-year contract with Brighton in October having joined from Bohemians for a nominal fee in January 2021. He is now worth €13.8 million per FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm.