Roma and Brighton Reach Agreement for Evan Ferguson Loan
Roma have reportedly reached a deal with Brighton to sign striker Evan Ferguson on loan, with an option to buy the Republic of Ireland international for £32.9 million. The 20-year-old forward has been a promising talent since his move from Bohemians in 2021 under Graham Potter. However, his time at Brighton has been marred by injuries, limiting his opportunities to establish himself as a key player.
Ferguson’s career took off when he scored a hat-trick against Newcastle during the 2023-24 season at just 18 years old. At that time, he was compared to Alan Shearer, one of the Premier League’s greatest scorers, and many believed he had a bright future ahead. Unfortunately, his progress has been hampered by a series of injuries, including a six-month layoff due to an ankle problem.
Despite his potential, Ferguson struggled to make an impact during his loan spell at West Ham last season. He made eight Premier League appearances without scoring, which led to questions about his ability to perform consistently at the top level. As a result, he may not be set for another loan move away from Brighton, but the club has been in discussions with Roma this week regarding a possible loan deal with an option to buy.
According to Sky Italia, negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing for some time. Initially, Roma proposed a fee of £26 million (€30 million), while Brighton asked for closer to £34.6 million (€40 million). However, the final agreement is expected to settle at £32.9 million (€38 million), including additional clauses.
Roma is now focused on finalizing contractual details and personal terms with Ferguson, which are not anticipated to present major obstacles. If the deal goes through, Ferguson will become the second striker to leave Brighton this summer after Joao Pedro joined Chelsea for £60 million.
Meanwhile, Brighton’s left-back Pervis Estupinan is attracting interest from Manchester United and AC Milan. At 27, the club is unlikely to stand in his way if he seeks a new challenge. Bids close to £40 million could tempt Brighton to let him depart.
Ferguson’s potential move to Serie A represents a significant step in his career. If he can overcome his injury issues and adapt to the Italian league, it could be a turning point in his professional journey. For Roma, acquiring a young and talented striker like Ferguson would provide much-needed depth and competition in their attacking options.
The next few weeks will be crucial for both clubs as they finalize the details of the transfer. Fans on both sides will be watching closely to see if the deal is completed and how Ferguson performs in his new environment. With the right support and opportunities, there is still hope that he can fulfill the promise he showed early in his career.
