Bayer Leverkusen leading race to sign Brighton’s Evan Ferguson amid West Ham interest

Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are leading the race to sign Brighton forward Evan Ferguson on a permanent transfer.

Evan Ferguson transfer news: Leverkusen lead the way amid heavy Premier League interest

Ferguson, rated as one of Europe’s top prospects last season, has fallen out of favour at Brighton and the Seagulls are willing to let him leave on a permanent deal this month.

The Ireland international has made just two Premier League starts this year and finds himself behind the likes of Danny Welbeck, Joao Pedro and Georginio in Fabian Hurzeler’s pecking order.

According to Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam, the reigning champions of Germany, Bayer Leverkusen, are leading the race for Ferguson’s signature as next Monday’s transfer deadline creeps closer.

The 20-year-old’s representatives are reportedly in talks with Leverkusen over a move that could see Ferguson join the fight to retain their Bundesliga crown against current league leaders Bayern Munich.

Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface is expected to depart the club in favour of Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr in the coming days, so this could present a perfect opportunity for Ferguson to come on board and fill in the gaps for a Champions League side under Xabi Alonso.

If the move doesn’t work out there is plenty of interest across the Premier League from clubs like West Ham, Everton and Bournemouth – and the Hammers will be especially interested to reunite Ferguson with Graham Potter, his first head coach at Brighton.

Roberto De Zerbi succeeded Potter and is now the manager of French side Marseille, who are another club interested in bringing Ferguson on board and adding a promising talent to their ranks.

Bayer Leverkusen are leading the chase to sign Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.

A number of PL clubs have been asked to be kept updated on the players availability in this window.

His representatives are currently in talks with Leverkusen.#BHAFC #afcb

— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) January 28, 2025

The former Bohemians man burst onto the scene at the beginning of the 2023-24 season with six goals in 12 games including a fabulous hat-trick against Newcastle, but injuries have derailed his progress over the past while and Brighton are ready to cash in.

In 2023, Ferguson was ranked as the most valuable teenage forward in world football at €65 million and he enjoyed the biggest market value increase of any Premier League player throughout that year.

It is believed Brighton have already rejected a permanent offer from a top flight club in England and the race is on for the player whose current deal runs until 2029.