Man Utd learn date Brighton will listen to offers for striker target Ferguson

15 August 2023 , 17:32

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Brighton are in no rush to cash in on Evan Ferguson (Image: Jane Stokes/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)

Brighton CEO Paul Barber suggested Manchester United will need to wait five years before thinking about signing Evan Ferguson.

Ireland striker Ferguson, 18, attracted interest from the likes of United after bursting onto the scene last season. He signed a new long-term deal with the Seagulls in April, though, and is under contract on the south coast until 2028.

Brighton have already parted with more than one of their star men this summer, selling Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool and offloading Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for a Premier League record fee. When it comes to Ferguson, though, there is no apparent rush to cash in.

"In Evan's case at least five years time!" Barber told talkSPORT when asked about when Ferguson might be for sale. 'Ultimately the technical staff are making the key decisions on where a player is in his development - whether he needs more first-team games or to go out on loan or whether we should be trading earlier or later

"It's going to be a collective decision but it's driven by the technical staff. We're relying on them to make those judgements in terms of a player's development. There are times when it's better for us to keep a player in and around our first team group, training with us and getting the odd appearance from the bench or in cup games, and other times it's better for them to go out on loan to Europe, and other times it's better for them to stay in this country and go on loan where we can keep a far closer eye on them."

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"Those decisions, Tony (owner Tony Bloom) and I leave to the technical staff and we only get involved when it comes to the financial decisions and where we go next," he continued. "But it's a combined effort, it's a team effort, and it's as much as a team off the pitch as on it."

How long can Brighton keep hold of Evan Ferguson? Have your say in the comments section

Evan Ferguson signed a new Brighton contract earlier this year (Getty Images)

.Man Utd might not feel they are in a hurry to move for Ferguson, either. They have spent £72m to bring Rasmus Hojlund over from Atalanta, with the 20-year-old seen as part of the club's future as well as their present

In the meantime, Ferguson kicked off the season with a goal in Brighton's 4-1 victory over Luton. He started the game on the bench, but replaced Danny Welbeck for the final 12 minutes and rounded off the scoring from close range.

"You always try to beat your previous year," Ferguson told the BBC in July. "That is the way it needs to be.

"The manager strives for perfection. He is passionate and loves what he is doing.

Tom Victor