Evan Ferguson to Chelsea transfer analysed as Mauricio Pochettino faces harsh Brighton reality

Chelsea, under no circumstance, should pursue the signing of Evan Ferguson this month – Brighton are simply demanding a ludicrous fee. The 19-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently as Mauricio Pochettino looks to further bolster his frontline in the January transfer window.

Ferguson, who sees his contract at the Amex Stadium expire in 2029, has featured 18 times for the Seagulls in the Premier League this term, finding the net just six times. Interestingly, four of which were scored in his first four games; one against Luton Town on the opening weekend of the season and then three against Newcastle United a couple of weeks later.

Since becoming the sixth-youngest player to ever score a hat-trick in the English top-flight, the Irishman has only scored twice in 14 games – nine of which he started. Yet despite his inconsistent performances, the teenager has courted the attention of Chelsea.

According to the Evening Standard, the Blues are long admirers of Ferguson, who could cost as much £100million. The Seagulls are under no pressure to cash-in on another lucrative asset after Chelsea paid them a British-record fee to sign Moises Caicedo not too long ago.

The west Londoners also paid Brighton £25million for Robert Sanchez in the summer – not to mention £21.5million for Graham Potter, a record fee for a coach, in September 2022. Chelsea have also poached several other staff from the Amex Stadium recently, including sporting director Paul Winstanley, scout Kyle Macaulay and head of goalkeeping Ben Roberts.

In fact, shortly after the Blues paid an extortionate fee for Caicedo's signature, Tony Bloom revealed there is a possibility that the two clubs do not conduct anymore business 'over