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According to speculations, EVAN FERGUSON might move for Chelsea and command a British transfer record cost.
This season, the teenager has scored six goals in 18 Premier League games—11 of which have been starts—and has once again wowed potential suitors.
The team most interested in hiring him is Chelsea.
And given the club’s troubles in front of goal this season, with Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja scoring league eight goals between them, a forward is considered as vital to move Chelsea up a level.
The Evening Standard claims that the Blues had long been fans of Ferguson, a 19-year-old.
But the Irishman just agreed to a new deal with Brighton that would keep him with the team till 2029.
Given their solid financial standing—which has been bolstered in part by Chelsea’s recent acquisitions of players like Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella—the Seagulls are also not under any pressure to sell.
Consequently, it is said, Chelsea might have to pay above £100 million to acquire Ferguson.
In fact, this would compel the Blues to smash the record for the most expensive transfer of a British player, which is already held by Arsenal, who paid £105 million (plus £5 million in add-ons) to get Declan Rice from West Ham.
Still, another obstacle to a possible transfer is the unwillingness to lose another jewel to Chelsea.
Competition should also be taken into account; Manchester United and Tottenham, for example, have both been linked in the past.
Even so, CEO Paul Barber stated in November that Brighton is prepared to lose Ferguson eventually, adding, “If his trajectory continues as it is, Evan’s going to be playing at an even higher level at some point in the future.”
Nevertheless, Ferguson isn’t the only forward Chelsea has its eye on.
According to reports, the Londoners are reportedly in talks to recruit Victor Osimhen. They also reportedly have Dusan Vlahovic, Viktor Gyokeres, and Victor Boniface on their roster.
Chelsea must balance the budget, though, because since Todd Boehly joined, they have spent £1 billion on transfers.
Midfielder Conor Gallagher has been linked to leaving Stamford Bridge as a result, with Tottenham vying for a possible £50 million deal.
The early kickoff on Saturday features Chelsea hosting Fulham in a West London derby.
Following Mauricio Pochettino’s team’s defeat to Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday, supporters will be eager to witness a response.