Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler may have paved the way for Evan Ferguson’s permanent West Ham move with a very public admission.
West Ham solved their big striker problem by signing Evan Ferguson from Brighton on deadline day.
But as things stand the 20-year-old Irishman is only a short-term fix for the Hammers.
Ferguson only signed for West Ham from Brighton on what’s known as a ‘dry loan’ for the rest of the season.
Many fans aren’t happy with the fact it is a straight loan or that it was the only signing the club made in the window.
West Ham’s owners have been heavily criticised for what’s been perceived as a lack of ambition.
A top board source revealed both Brighton and West Ham wanted a permanency to the Ferguson deal.
The Irons only wanted an option to buy Ferguson whereas Brighton were trying to insist on a permanent move – or an obligation to buy at the least.
In the end the straight loan was a compromise.
West Ham fans were still hopeful that if Ferguson did well during his east London reunion with Graham Potter, that a permanent move could be arranged.
But Hammers News revealed a crushing blow for West Ham’s hopes of buying Ferguson.
Dry loan was West Ham and Brighton compromise over Ferguson
A source close to the deal said the chances of the Hammers doing a permanent deal were bleak as Tony Bloom wants silly money.
Brighton valued Ferguson at over £100m just over a year or so ago.
So signing him is quite a coup for West Ham given the number of clubs that were reportedly interested too.
However, the Seagulls would never have risked loaning out such a valuable asset if they felt he had a future at the Amex.
Especially after the striker’s injury issues.
Now Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has paved the way for Evan Ferguson’s permanent West Ham move.
As soon as Ferguson had been offloaded to West Ham, the Seagulls made a telling announcement.
Hurzeler paves way for Ferguson’s permanent West Ham move
German Hurzeler went out and signed longstanding West Ham striker target Stefanos Tzimas from Bundesliga 2 side 1. FC Nurnberg.
The powerful 19-year-old Greek target man was signed for £20m plus add-ons and will officially join in the summer.
The big reason Ferguson wanted out of Brighton was the fact he has slipped to third – and sometimes fourth – choice striker under Hurzeler.
So adding another quality forward in Tzimas to their ranks would surely make a deal for a permanent move to West Ham more likely come the summer?
On the face of it yes but Brighton are known for being savvy in the market and making a mixture of signings from those ready to go now to younger stars who can develop into future Seagulls stars.
Well there is great news for the Hammers.
Brighton boss sees new signing Tzimas as leading man
Because Hurzeler has made it perfectly clear he sees Tzimas as a contender to be his main man up front.
“I think Brighton is the right club for every player who wants to improve,” Hurzeler said, as broadcast on Sky Sports News.
“I’m very happy we could sign a quality player like Stefanos, who is still very young, but I saw him a lot of times playing for Nurnberg.
“I know how tough the league is, especially if you are of a young age but he has already showed he has big quality.
“Hopefully he has a good rest of the season for Nurnberg and then we are really looking forward to working with him here because I think he can be a big player for us.”
Hurzeler has made Ferguson’s future abundantly clear with these comments.
Essentially he doesn’t have one at Brighton. Unless he wants to accept being fourth of even fifth choice.
Brighton have already made it clear they wanted to sell Ferguson in the winter window.
Now Hurzeler has admission has underlined that fact.
Should Ferguson hit it off at West Ham, the club’s owners really have no excuse not to get a deal done for Ferguson by the summer.
Just as long as Bloom is realistic about his valuation.
Ferguson kicks off his West Ham loan this weekend with the striker expected to make his debut against Brentford.
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