'Deal Done': Fulham and Everton set to lose transfer race for £35m West Ham flop

Fulham and Everton are set to be beaten to the signing of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson this summer as the 20-year-old secures a move to AS Roma following an underwhelming loan spell at West Ham last term.

SussexWorld had named the Cottagers and the Toffees as potential suitors for Ferguson, who is not part of Fabian Hurzeler’s plans at Brighton in the near future. The forward started just two matches in the Premier League for the Seagulls last season before making the switch to West Ham for the second half of the campaign.

With £27 million man Niclas Fullkrug and club stalwart Michail Antonio injured, the Republic of Ireland international did see more game time at the London Stadium but his eight outings were still largely cameos.

Brighton prodigy secures transfer after West Ham loan

Ferguson failed to score for the Hammers and returned to the south coast having done little to boost his chances of a big summer transfer. However, his below par stint in the capital does not appear to have hampered an exit from Brighton for the player once valued at £100 million.

When first breaking into the Brighton first team, Ferguson was hailed as a ‘superstar’ on Match of the Day. In 2023, Micah Richards said: "(Alexis) Mac Allister, (Levi) Colwill (Moises) Caicedo as well but they've got some young talent.

"Ferguson, Joao Pedro and (Simon) Adingra - they were outstanding today. All were on the scoresheet today and all 21 or under. Ferguson's going to be a real star. He's a superstar. There's something in his play, he's so mature the way he links up, the way he takes his chances. Everything about him I love. He's natural - and 18 years old."

Meanwhile, Alan Shearer added: "I love everything about him - his hold up play, his desire to get into the box, his strength. Very impressive."

AS Roma swoop for Evan Ferguson

Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven were also said to be weighing up a move for Ferguson this summer, undeterred by his West Ham form. Brighton have sold Joao Pedro to Chelsea for £60 million, but ploughed £50 million into deals for attackers Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas. Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck are also competing for game time.

Ferguson is now on the verge of securing a move to Serie A giants AS Roma, as confirmed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano on Sunday. The striker is set to fly to Italy to put pen to paper on a loan-to-buy deal, which could see Roma fork out £35 million for his services next year.

Taking to social media platform X, Romano wrote: “Evan Ferguson will land in Roma later tonight to sign in as new AS Roma player from Brighton. Loan deal with €40m buy option clause, confirmed.”

In other news, West Ham considering loan-to-buy approach for 'very experienced' Premier League attacker.