Chelsea are reportedly late arrivers in the transfer race to sign a Premier League attacker in the final days of the January window.
The time is quickly running out if the Blues want to add any fresh faces to their squad to help them for the rest of the season.
Chelsea welcomed back Trevoh Chalobah to the group earlier this month from a loan spell at Crystal Palace. However, we’re yet to see Enzo Maresca’s side go out and sign any new players to boost them.
If they are to do any business before the deadline, Chelsea are most likely to sign more attacking reinforcements.
Chelsea join race for £40m Premier League attacker
According to The Guardian, Chelsea have joined the race to sign Brighton’s Evan Ferguson in the mid-season transfer window.
Apparently, the Seagulls are willing to sell or loan out the 21-year-old striker amid interest from Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Bournemouth, Everton Tottenham and West Ham.
The report says that West Ham have been left in a strong position for the Republic of Ireland international, but they risk being outmuscled by Chelsea as they look to recruit another centre-forward.
It is unclear whether the Blues want a loan or a permanent deal for Ferguson. Interestingly, Brighton could sell him for somewhere around £40m if they receive a bid that size.
Chelsea were tipped to make a ‘late dash’ for Brighton’s Ferguson, which appears to have happened just days out from the window closing on 3 February.
Chelsea scouts have been monitoring Ferguson this season, so he’s not come completely out of the blue. However, the fact that he’s scored once in 14 appearances across all competitions this campaign highlights what a difficult time it’s been for him recently, where he can’t force his way into the Brighton XI.
What Graham Potter once said about Evan Ferguson
Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who’s now the West Ham manager, briefly coached Ferguson when he was in the dugout at Brighton.
Back in 2022, Potter raved about Seagulls striker Ferguson when he was still a teenager first breaking through at the Amex Stadium. Potter told The Argus: “He (Ferguson) is an intelligent player for someone so young. You look at him and you have to remind yourself he is only 17, so he’s got an exciting future, I think.
“He’s level-headed and a humble guy who again wants to just play football, wants to score goals, help the team, so he has got lots of nice attributes, good movement, intelligent, so we are happy with him.”
It’s interesting that Potter’s West Ham are now in direct competition with Chelsea in the transfer race to get Ferguson.
From the Brighton youngster’s perspective, his goal should be to go somewhere he can play more. While we wouldn’t mind him at Stamford Bridge on loan to provide extra cover, the logical step would be to join a West Ham side crying out for a No.9.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
