Chelsea’s latest transfer target proves Boehly has not learned from mistakes

James Shearman

• Updated: 11 Jan 2024 19:48 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea are interested in signing Brighton forward Evan Ferguson, according to the Evening Standard.

The report states that the Blues have long been admirers of the Irishman, who is still only 19 years old.

Ferguson made his Brighton debut in the 2021-22 season, but it was in the last campaign that he really made a name for himself.

He scored 10 goals in all competitions, including six in the Premier League, and quickly caught the attention of several top teams.

Meanwhile, six goals at the halfway point of the 2023-24 season has done nothing to cool off said interest.

It is not only his goal record that impresses, though, with an all-round game of someone much more experienced.

However, despite his obvious quality and potential, Chelsea should be looking elsewhere for one simple reason.

Why signing Ferguson would be a mistake

Chelsea have dealt with Brighton enough times to know that they will not sell for less than their asking price.

The Blues paid £115 million for Moises Caicedo in the summer and £60m for Marc Cucurella the year before, while they spent a record £21.5m on bringing former manager Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge.

And, in this case, the Seagulls are demanding in excess of £100m for Ferguson, who has five years left on his contract.

That would be an outrageous fee for someone that has started just 21 Premier League games.

As previously mentioned, he is a superb talent, but £100m should bring you guaranteed goals.

Victor Osimhen, for example, who has netted 57 times in 80 Serie A starts for Napoli, is someone that would reasonably cost that much.

The fact that Todd Boehly would even consider paying such a price for an unproven player proves that he has not learned from his past mistakes.