West Ham will get another look at Evan Ferguson against one of the clubs they beat to his signature, Arsenal.
Both the Hammers and Gunners wanted Evan Ferguson in the winter window.
It’s easy to see why too.
Arsenal will be missing Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz when they face West Ham at the Emirates.
The Hammers also have Michail Antonio, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville and now Lucas Paqueta out long term.
As well as reuniting with Graham Potter, one of the reasons West Ham were able to beat Arsenal to signing Ferguson was because Mikel Arteta already had two loans from Premier League clubs.
Another would have been game time.
But ironically Ferguson would actually probably get just as much at Arsenal in the remainder of the season given their issues.
West Ham have finally signed the kind of young striker the fans have been desperate for.
The Hammers were as bad as they have been throughout a dismal last 14 months during the first half of the 1-0 defeat to Brentford last time out.
But Ferguson was a real plus point when he came on at half-time.
West Ham fans set up for heartbreak over Ferguson
He was the major reason the Hammers improved markedly in the second half.
The 20-year-old Irishman looked really lively, got a few shots off and should have registered an assist only for Mohammed Kudus to blaze over the bar from close range.
Ferguson showed he can hold the ball up and link play, had a good turn of pace and the team looked much better for having a proper striker leading the line.
Potter was coy on West Ham signing Ferguson permanently at the end of his loan this summer.
But West Ham fans are being set up for heartbreak over Ferguson by club sources.
Like Hammers News, Claret and Hugh also have strong contacts inside West Ham.
When discussing the possibility of signing Ferguson permanently with a spokesman close to West Ham’s owners after his arrival we were told ‘Never say never’.
The Hammers are in a position where they will need to sign at least two, if not three, new strikers in the next window.
Young Celtic striker Daniel Cummings looks set to be one of them.
West Ham have told Cummings he’ll be part of the first team squad if he signs on a free in the summer.
Claret and Hugh claim that Potter ‘has his heart set on signing Ferguson permanently’ as his prime target.
Crushing reality of Ferguson situation for Hammers
The report says it is ‘poppycock’ that other forwards are being eyed because West Ham unlikely to be able to sign Ferguson permanently.
It cites multiple sources both inside and outside the club stating that Ferguson’s short-term loan deal is no reflection on the club’s intent to sign Ferguson permanently.
That would be wonderful and the ideal way to start West Ham’s summer revamp.
Given Claret and Hugh’s sources, the report certainly gives Hammers fans plenty of hope.
And the site is merely reporting what it’s contacts are telling them.
But the reality of the situation is, regrettably, very different according to a more neutral source who has contacts in both camps.
It has been widely reported that West Ham face a difficult summer financially after the £155m summer splurge.
Football correspondent and former Sky Sports transfer reporter Graeme Bailey believes it is important West Ham fans don’t get their hopes up too much about signing Potter.
Brighton’s huge valuation puts Ferguson out of West Ham’s reach
Bailey has told Hammers News Ferguson is unfortunately just a stop-gap option.
He says there may be a glimmer of hope if Ferguson absolutely loves it at West Ham the club are somehow able to spend big.
But he has made it clear ‘it looks tough to be able to keep Ferguson outright’.
Even if Ferguson shines during his loan, Brighton’s valuation is described as ‘huge’.
And that was a key reason West Ham – nor any other club – signed him permanently in the winter window when Brighton had made it clear he as available to buy.
Every West Ham fan – us included – wants the claim to be true that West Ham will sign Ferguson permanently if things work out.
But it’s important to be aware the deal looks well out of West Ham’s reach.
Supporters should go into the summer with their eyes wide open in that respect.
And in Potter’s own words, fans should just ‘enjoy it for what it is’.
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