Evan Ferguson has been training with his new teammates for just two days but already West Ham have been dealt a crushing blow.
- Hammers News exclusive
West Ham legend Tony Cottee spoke on behalf of all the club’s fans when Evan Ferguson was signed from Brighton.
Finally the Hammers had actually gone out and signed a top quality young striker.
Cottee said he hopes it signals the start of a new era with Ferguson leading the West Ham line for the next decade.
After 15 years of mostly terrible luck and decision-making when it comes to striker signings, that would be just what West Ham need.
Ferguson is actually the 54th forward signed since David Sullivan took over West Ham in January 2010.
Not all have been flops or disasters.
Although the ones who have been successful – like Marko Arnautovic – have not stuck around long enough.
Others have been struck by the West Ham injury curse, many simply did not fit how the team play and some just couldn’t cut it in the Premier League.
Hammers finally land a quality young striker
A large number were cheap options and others were big names, past their best on big wages who did little to justify either.
Ferguson has drawn comparisons to Andy Carroll and Harry Kane in his fledgling career so far.
Carroll is much-loved by Hammers fans. But he averaged just 20 games per season in his seven years at the club and scored only 34 goals in all competitions.
West Ham long for a Kane-type figure to solve their longstanding striker problem.
Cottee’s vision is a tantalising one.
But officially, Ferguson has only signed for West Ham from Brighton on loan for the rest of the season.
Although Ferguson ends the club’s long search for a new forward, many fans aren’t happy with the fact it is a straight loan.
West Ham’s board has been slammed for a lack of business in the winter window.
Hammers supporters feel a ‘dry loan’ shows a lack of ambition and leaves the club exposed to someone else swooping for the 20-year-old Irishman in the summer.
Well West Ham have suffered a crushing Ferguson blow as the pressure piles on the board.
Brighton and Ferguson have dropped subtle hints West Ham might be able do a deal to own Ferguson outright in the summer.
In his first interview after joining from the the Seagulls, Ferguson teased “we’ll see what the future holds”.
West Ham’s crushing Ferguson blow as pressure piles on board
The striker has trained with his new teammates twice and will make his debut on February 15th, the day after Valentine’s.
West Ham fans will be hoping it’s a case of love at first sight.
But Hammers fans should not fall head over heels for their new striker.
Because West Ham’s hopes of signing Ferguson permanently have already been dashed.
Hammers News understands that West Ham are already resigned to enjoying Ferguson while it lasts.
Because the reason why the deal was neither permanent nor had an option or obligation to buy has been made clear.
Brighton are willing to sell Ferguson after a period of heavy investment at the Amex.
But Hammers News understands negotiations between West Ham and the Seagulls were short and sweet when a permanent deal was discussed.
“They can’t get Ferguson permanently,” a source close to the deal exclusively told Hammers News.
“Tony Bloom (Brighton’s owner) has quoted them £90m.”
Don’t get too attached to Ferguson
At that kind of figure, West Ham have no hope of owning their latest forward outright.
Ferguson has had ankle injury issues over the last year.
So the loan deal has been dressed up as a sensible approach with the hope being he will do well and West Ham can negotiate buying him outright in the summer.
It seems West Ham fans should not get too attached, though.
Because it is highly unlikely, if not impossible, for the Hammers to sign Ferguson.
Unless the club gets ridiculous money for Mohammed Kudus and decides to spend most of it on the striker.
The situation seems clear, unless Brighton completely change their stance, West Ham should enjoy Ferguson while it lasts.
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