Brighton appear to have about twenty clubs interested in taking their young striker Evan Ferguson. Whereas the original plan was to loan their front man out, last night reports came that the Seagulls were willing to sell outright.
If the ‘bidding war’ gets going it is quite likely that West Ham will find themselves getting in too deep very quickly – with the likely result that the Hammers baulk at the £40 million plus likely to be needed to secure the striker’s services.
And that is not necessarily such a bad thing.
For a young striker who has had so many injury issues for one so young, there is a massive red flag waving for West Ham who have had just about every conceivable injury crisis for their own frontmen this season.
There is a reason West Ham only want a loan: Financially I’m not convinced that a £40 million chunk of cash is available for an outright purchase now anyway, especially bearing in mind the outstanding obligation West Ham have to pay £32 million for Todibo in the coming summer.
In addition, for a player with such a chequered injury history – a straight purchase is a big risk for someone.
Silva remains the backup option
For West Ham, a loan for Ferguson without an obligation to buy probably makes sense. Make no mistake, a purchase is a risk, but I’m sure Brighton will cash in on their fragile frontman and insist on a straight sale.
So: What next for the Hammers in the last few days of the window, if Ferguson goes to likely suitors Bayer Leverkusen – or one of the other clubs interested?
Faced with Brian Brobbey – again with Ajax insisting on a purchase option ( cash again an issue) – or the ‘back up’ of André Silva, the cheaper loan option will probably win out. Sadly Graham Potter’s very success in building a resilience in the squad and producing an impressive away performance against Aston Villa might make the club take the less dynamic option and just go with the ‘safe’ season-long loan of Silva.
The recovery of Bowen and Summerville makes the urgency to bring in a striker less pronounced and actually increases the chance of West Ham bringing in the less dynamic ‘Ings 2.0’.
Less risk, less cost, (never to be underestimated with West Ham) – less dynamic. But still better than nothing.
Just because we might take Ferguson on loan, it won’t stop us signing him after ignoring the injury red flags.
Andy Carroll (loved him) is an example.
thank you
We will end up with no one unless they are 30 and injured
Both Ferguson and Silva are really not good business for us. Both have injury issues, worrying as Ferguson is so young yet already has breakdown injury issues, and Silva also an injury record plus older, slower and not prolific. Panic signings in my view.
For Silva read Ings 2.0. If he does sign, even on loan, it simply continues the clubs business model of chucking good money after bad.
Yeah I see the logic. Might as well wait till the summer when Callum Wilson’s available on a free transfer.
What’s safe about signing an injury prone over the hill striker. He is Danny Ings mark 2
Odds improve lol he was always odds on mate Sullivan is not interested in anything but cheap…and as for you spouting that Brobbey deal well its the money so why dont you get your “contacts” to explain the money for Duran deal and suddenly not enough for £30million…same old rubbish as ever spouted by Sullivans minions so just stop blowing smoke up peoples backsides.
That’s exactly it and what i said ..bid 53 for Duran but can’t find 30 or whatever…fking joke …lies after lies ..i wish these sort of questions was put to them …but we just get other lies to appease the others…the way we conduct ourselves in the windows is embarrassing…NO MATTER who the manager is
Think Ferguson is another Andy Carroll. Unplayable on his day but spends far too much time in the treatment room. Think we need to wait until the summer when more players are available and we possibly might have a bit more cash. Don’t really want Silva but would take him on loan over no striker at all.
I think the low risk option is best, we can wait until the summer. Give Potter time to acquaint himself with the squad,try the youngsters, adapt to his style then have a much clearer picture at the end of the season as to what we need.
Anyone that has seen Ferguson play will have noted his frame it’s his modus operandi. What may not be quite as obvious is his extremely supinated foot function. If addressed biomechanically, this can be controlled. However supination by means of compensation places a huge toll on the joints. If he’s already got a history of injury this doesn’t bode well. We can all recall Richard Hall’s career ending vertical talus.
A bullet to dodge imo.
You spent half the post highlighting Ferguson’s injury record not a word about how bad Silvia’s injury record and goal scoring record is. How about a bit more balance in your post. Sullivan loves an injury prone striker from he’s favourites agents . What a joke .