West Ham get transfer boost in Evan Ferguson pursuit as Hammers target late deal | OneFootball

Jhon Duran’s move to Saudi Arabia could have knock-on effect for West Ham move for Brighton striker

West Ham have received a boost in their pursuit of Brighton forward Evan Ferguson after Victor Boniface’s proposed move to Al Nassr was called off.

Aston Villa frontman Duran was in London for a medical on Thursday ahead of a £64.5million move to the Saudi Pro League side.

The development has significant implications for West Ham, whose primary target in their hunt for a striker remains 20-year-old Ferguson.

Jhon Duran is finalising a move to Al Nassr, which will have significant implications for West Ham

AFP via Getty Images

Brighton will allow Ferguson to leave in the final days of the January window, either on loan or permanently, if the offer is right.

Other active targets include the RB Leipzig striker Andre Silva and PSV Eindhoven forward Ricardo Pepi. West Ham presented a package worth £20.9m to sign Pepi on loan with an obligation to buy, but PSV rejected that offer on Wednesday night.

West Ham are desperate to sign a striker after injuries to Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Niclas Fullkrug forced new manager Graham Potter to deploy Lucas Paqueta as a makeshift striker in recent weeks.

Potter’s appointment saw West Ham’s interest in Ferguson amplified, given the Ireland international played under him at Brighton.

West Ham made their interest in Ferguson known early but are far from the only club keen on signing him.

The Ireland international has also had enquiries from Bournemouth, Everton and Celtic, with Tottenham, Eintracht Frankfurt and Leipzig also believed to be interested.

Ferguson, less fancied by Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, has made just two Premier League starts this season, having previously been seen as one of the most promising young forwards in the Premier League under Potter and then Roberto De Zerbi.

Attention will turn to back-up option Silva, 29, if a deal to sign Ferguson cannot be secured.

Silva is out of favour at Leipzig, who are willing to loan him out.

West Ham made initial enquiries around two weeks ago and their pursuit of the former Porto, AC Milan and Frankfurt striker will pick up pace if the move for Ferguson does not come off.