11 months ago
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Brighton are determined to keep hold of Evan Ferguson for the foreseeable future and are ready to reject any approach from Chelsea for their star striker.
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Ferguson, 19, has established himself as one of the most sought after attacking players in Premier League football since breaking into Brighton’s first-team in 2021, scoring 10 goals in all competitions across a breakout season for the Seagulls last term.
The teenager has followed on with six goals at the start of this campaign and his eye-catching performances have caught the attention of England’s elite, with teams scouring the market for attacking reinforcements this winter.
According to The Evening Standard, Chelsea are long-term admirers of Ferguson but are likely to be knocked back should they initiate contact with Brighton over a possible agreement for the Republic of Ireland international.
In November, the youngster – who has netted three times for his country – put pen to paper on a six-year contract at the Amex Stadium, tying him to the club until the summer of 2029.
Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi will be reluctant to lose another key player to west London following on from the recent departure of Moises Caicedo, a transfer saga that dragged on for months.
Chelsea have spent in excess of £1billion on new recruits over the last three transfer windows with Todd Boehly at the helm but have endured a dismal start to the season, languishing down in tenth in the Premier League table.
And while summer signing Cole Palmer has shone with eight goals and four assists in the league, new additions Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku have managed just eight top-flight goals between them since arriving through the doors at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino cut a frustrated figure in the wake of the side’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg defeat at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night and the ex-Tottenham boss is hoping for reinforcements before the January transfer deadline.
It’s understood Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen are also on Chelsea’s transfer wishlist as the club strive to make up ground on their rivals and return to their former glory.
Talking to the media ahead of Chelsea’s 1-0 loss at Boro, Pochettino confirmed he had held discussions over January transfers but insisted he was satisfied with the players currently at his disposal up front.
‘We are assessing the squad like always,’ the Argentine told reporters.
‘We have a conversation with the owners and sporting director yesterday and today. We are looking at all the team for options.
But I am happy because we have different options to play in the striker positions and then we need our second line offensive players to step up and score and help the team score and win games.
‘I’m very positive, I’m happy with the squad and if something appears we will announce but at the moment we are working normally as we have done all season.’
Asked how well transfer talks with Chelsea’s board have progressed, Pochettino added: ‘Really good.
‘We keep a good relationship and I think everything is very well.
‘Conversations, normal conversations that we need to have and if something appears we will say.’
MORE : Victor Osimhen keen on joining Chelsea as Todd Boehly approves move for Napoli star
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