Brighton CEO Paul Barber has declared that there is no chance of Evan Ferguson leaving the club this summer, amid links with Tottenham Hotspur.
The 18-year-old is considered to be one of the best young strikers in Europe after enjoying a sensational breakthrough season in 2022/23.
Ferguson netted 11 goals in all competitions last season. He also scored in Brighton’s 4-1 victory over newly-promoted Luton Town on Saturday. His top-level performances have earned him a regular spot in the Republic of Ireland national team, too.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is currently scouring the transfer market for a new striker following Harry Kane’s £100m move to Bayern Munich.
Gent’s Gift Orban and Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku are considered to be two of Spurs’ main targets. However, as revealed by TEAMtalk, the London club have ‘made an enquiry’ regarding the availability of Ferguson.
The young centre-forward has five years remaining on his Brighton contract, so they are under absolutely no pressure to sell him this summer.
As a result, it seems Tottenham will now have to focus on Orban and Lukaku as they scramble to bring in a replacement for Kane before the transfer window slams shut.
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Barber rules out Evan Ferguson exit
When asked when Ferguson could leave Brighton amid widespread reports linking him with Tottenham, Barber said there is no chance he will go anywhere for the foreseeable future.
He also described how Brighton have been so successful in producing top quality young players over the last few years.
“In Evan’s case, it’ll be in at least five years’ time! [before he leaves]” Barber told The Sports Breakfast, via talkSPORT.
“Ultimately the technical staff are making the key decisions on where a player is in his development, whether he needs more first team games or needs to go on loan or if we need to trade earlier or later.
“Ultimately it’s going to be a collective decision but it’s driven by the technical staff and we’re relying on them to make those judgements regarding the players’ development.
“There are times when it’s better for us to keep a player in and around our first team group, training with us and getting the odd first team appearance from the bench or in cup games.
“On other occasions, it’s better for them to go out on loan in Europe and others it’s better for them to stay in this country and be somewhere where we can keep a far closer eye on them.
“For those decisions, Tony and I leave them to the technical staff and we only really get involved when we get to the financial decisions and where we go next.
“It’s a combined effort, it’s a team effort and we’re as much of a team off the pitch as we are on it and Tony and I both believe that we’ve got to work collaboratively and effectively, but ultimately, Roberto De Zerbi is making the big calls when it comes to the playing squad.”
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