From Andy Naylor (BHA beat reporter) at The Athletic...
Brighton & Hove Albion are prepared to allow Evan Ferguson to depart permanently in the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland international has attracted widespread loan interest from Premier League rivals and top-flight clubs abroad, including Marseille.
But Brighton are also open to the possibility of selling Ferguson at the right price, if the circumstances suit both club and player.
Brighton sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated a permanent bid for Ferguson has already been rejected.
We reported in November that Brighton were expected to make Ferguson available for loan during the winter transfer window, while today’s DealSheet cited interest from West Ham United, Everton and Bournemouth, alongside other Premier League clubs.
A move to West Ham would reunite Ferguson with Graham Potter, his first head coach at Brighton.
ALSO
Marseille are among the clubs interested in a loan move for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson.
Any move would see Ferguson — who has not played for Brighton since a draw at West Ham United on December 21 — leave the south coast club for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Marseille are currently second in Ligue 1, 10 points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain and coached by Roberto De Zerbi, who spent 21 months as Brighton’s head coach prior to joining the French club last summer.
Of Ferguson’s 17 goals for Brighton, 15 of them came in 60 appearances under De Zerbi’s coaching.