West Ham given major Evan Ferguson boost as journalist makes huge Ricardo Pepi claim | OneFootball

West Ham United have been handed a massive boost in their bid to sign Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson.

According to The Guardian reporter Jacob Steinberg, the Hammers are now in a ‘good position’ to sign the talented striker with Bayer Leverkusen cooling interest.

The Bundesliga champions were considered frontrunners in the race to sign Ferguson, with Victor Boniface seemingly poised for a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.

However, Al Nassr made a huge decision to ditch Boniface in favour of in-demand Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, forcing Leverkusen to pump the brakes on their move for Ferguson.

With Leverkusen now out of the picture, West Ham can swoop in, having been informed that Brighton are willing to let Ferguson leave either on loan or a permanent transfer.

Meanwhile, West Ham have seen a £21 million bid for Ricardo Pepi rejected by PSV Eindhoven, and reports suggest they could return with a second proposal.

However, Steinberg claims that some West Ham officials are unsure about signing the United States striker.

West Ham still need to move fast

Leverkusen might be out of the picture for now, but West Ham do not have a clear run at Ferguson and must move fast to beat the competition.

The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Bournemouth, and Tottenham Hotspur have all made inquiries about Ferguson, so the race to land his signature will undoubtedly heat up as the transfer deadline draws nearer.

Despite the crowd, West Ham are reportedly confident that they can secure a deal for Ferguson, perhaps hoping his relationship with Graham Potter tilts the odds in their favour.

A loan with an option to buy has been discussed, but sources suggest a bid of around £40m could tempt Brighton into a sale.

Ferguson has struggled for form and fitness over the past 18 months.

He has struggled to recapture his goalscoring form since recovering from a lengthy ankle injury but is still regarded as one of the most promising young strikers in England.

Potter’s relationship with Ferguson could work in West Ham’s favour, but it counts for nothing if the club doesn’t formalise their interest sooner rather than later.