Man Utd launch €60m Ferguson pursuit amid Chelsea competition

Cameron Smith

• 11 Aug 2024 21:15 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are reportedly considering a surprise late summer move for Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson.

The Republic of Ireland international was heavily linked with a Brighton exit in 2023 and he remains on Man Utd’s radar, despite their recent acquisition of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.

In fact, The Daily Star have reported that Man Utd are weighing up a €58 million (£50m) bid for the Brighton star amid competition from Chelsea.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals

Both clubs are long-term admirers of Ferguson, although interest in his services has quietened down over the past six months.

After a breakout 2022-23 season, Ferguson has endured a difficult 12 months and he’s failed to score in each of his last 15 Premier League appearances.

Furthermore, Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro both appear to be ahead of him in the pecking order at Brighton, and the 19-year-old hasn’t featured since March due to an ankle injury.

READ MORE: Real Madrid eye SHOCK move for underrated Man Utd star

In total, Ferguson has 16 goals and five assists in 65 senior appearances for Brighton.

Man Utd want Evan Ferguson

Despite his struggles in 2024, Man Utd remain interested in Ferguson and are considering a summer bid, according to The Daily Star.

The Irishman has five years left on his current Brighton contract, after signing an extension in November, meaning the Seagulls are in an extremely strong negotiating position.

Furthermore, Ferguson’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €34.2m - the highest of any player in Brighton’s first-team squad.

In addition to the aforementioned Zirkzee, Man Utd have also signed Lille defender Leny Yoro this summer. The Red Devils remain interested in purchasing a new central midfielder too, although their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain star Manuel Ugarte has stalled.

Ten Hag’s side are now considering a move for Burnley midfielder Sander Berge, as exclusively revealed by The Transfers Podcast.