West Ham United are closely monitoring Evan Ferguson’s situation at Brighton & Hove Albion as they prepare for the January transfer window, sources have informed Football Insider. The Premier League club is one of several teams expressing interest in the 20-year-old forward, who could be made available for a loan move in the upcoming transfer period.
Football Insider initially reported on November 22 that Ferguson is keen to leave Brighton in January due to his frustration with his limited playing time. Despite being part of a club sitting in fourth place in the Premier League during the 2024-25 season, Ferguson has found it difficult to secure regular first-team action under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler. Hurzeler recently dismissed the idea of Ferguson leaving the club in January, but sources suggest that the young striker is determined to seek a move, with his preference being to stay within the Premier League.
West Ham, who have struggled to find consistent goalscoring form this season, are considering Ferguson as a potential addition to their attacking options. The club made significant investments in the summer transfer window, including the signing of German international Niclas Fullkrug. However, Fullkrug has been sidelined for the past three months due to a serious Achilles tendon injury, though he is now nearing a return and could feature during the busy holiday period.
Even with Fullkrug on the verge of regaining full fitness, West Ham is still evaluating the possibility of bringing Ferguson on board. The 31-year-old Fullkrug, who joined West Ham from Borussia Dortmund in a reported £27 million deal, has yet to score in his four appearances for the club, highlighting the ongoing need for more attacking depth. In Fullkrug’s absence, Michail Antonio has been leading the line for the Hammers, but the team has only scored 17 goals in their first 13 league matches, leaving them in 14th place in the Premier League standings.
Ferguson, who extended his contract with Brighton last year for six years, has been used sparingly this season, netting just one goal in 10 appearances. He has started just once in the Premier League under Hurzeler, further fueling his desire for more regular playing time. As the January transfer window approaches, West Ham will likely continue to monitor his situation closely, with the potential for a loan move that could benefit both Ferguson and the club.
This move would also be a strategic attempt by West Ham to boost their attacking options for the second half of the season. The club’s inconsistent offensive output has been a concern, especially with the lack of goals from key players like Antonio and Fullkrug. With Ferguson’s future uncertain at Brighton and his ambitions to stay in the Premier League, West Ham may be able to capitalize on this opportunity to strengthen their squad for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.