Brighton issue Evan Ferguson update amid Manchester United links
Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber has admitted that young striker Evan Ferguson will likely leave the AMEX despite recently signing a new long-term contract.
Manchester United are one of several top teams keeping tabs on Ferguson, who has developed into one of Europe's most promising stars over the past 12 months. Still only 19-years-old, the Republic or Ireland international has 11 Premier League goals to his name and is a key part of Roberto De Zerbi's exciting attack on the south coast.
Ferguson penned a new long-term contract with Brighton earlier this month, committing himself to the Seagulls until 2029. But MEN Sport understands the striker could leave next year and now Barber has fuelled speculation of a move away.
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"At some point in the future, Evan's gonna be playing at an even higher level if his trajectory continues as it is," Barber told Soccerex TV. "We want to make sure that we do everything we can to prepare him for that - not just on the field, but off the field as well, give him as much support as we can.
"I think, as I said before, that the higher level we can play at, the more chance we've got of keeping our top players for longer. It doesn't mean to say that we can keep them forever, because players will have their own ambitions of the club they want to play for, and the league they want to play in, and the competitions they want to perform in. And we have to be respectful of that.
"I believe that - and [Brighton chairman] Tony Bloom believes that - if we can actually show players clear pathways, not just through our club but also beyond our club, that will actually help us
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