Evan Ferguson on Man United’s radar, as Harry Maguire causes Benjamin Pavard deal to collapse

Patrick McCarry

It only makes sense that the top clubs are paying close attention.

Evan Ferguson has been on the bench for Brighton’s first two Premier League games of the season, leading to some remarks that the Seagulls are trying to fly him under the radar until the transfer window closes.

Several clubs, such as Chelsea and Tottenham, are crying out for a big target man, while Manchester United have long been monitoring the 18-year-old. Liverpool were looking to take Ferguson from Bohemians in 2021, but the young forward anbed his representatives felt Brighton would be a better base, and provide a better chance to break into the first team squad.

The latest club to be linked with Ferguson, over on Football Transfers, has been Arsenal. They report that Tottenham are not keen on stumping up a fee of £100 million, especially when that is how much they will likely get for Harry Kane [Bayern paid an initial £86m with another £14m in add-ons and potential bonuses].

United are keeping track of Ferguson, too. They sounded out Brighton on the teenager last season, prompting the club to sign him up to a long-term senior team contract with an initial annual salary of £20,000 a week. Brighton are convinced they will fetch a higher price for Evan Ferguson next summer, and could even set a world record valuation if he continues to progress and they manager to keep him until the summer of 2025.

Benjamin Pavard pictured before a Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and FC Bayern München at Wohninvest Weserstadion. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

Collapse of Harry Maguire move has knock-on effect

Harry Maguire’s collapsed £30 million move to West Ham, said to be held up as the defender was looking for an outgoing fee of between £6 and £7m from Manchester United, has had a knock-on effect.

Still hamstrung by the dragged out sale/non-sale of the Glazer family’s stake in the club, United are into the stage of the transfer window where they can only buy if they shift dead wood off their books. Anthony Elanga, Fred, David De Gea and Alex Telles have all moved on, but the club is still trying to offload the likes of Eric Bailly, Brandon Williams, Maguire and more.

Benjamin Pavard was keen on a move to United but the club could not get a green light on the transfer when Maguire’s switch to London fell through. As a result, Inter Milan have swooped in.

“We won’t announce Benjamin Pavard as new signing today,” announced Inter’s chief executive Giusseppe Marotta before adding ‘we’re in good position’.

“We’re doing our best to sign Pavard,” he added. “We are ambitious. It’s not an illusion, we feel we can make it happen”.

Word from Italy is that Pavard is flying to Milan today, with a view to making a permanent switch to the Nerazzurri.