Newcastle United’s deal to sign Lewis Hall has proven to be a stroke of genius.
The Magpies agreed a deal with Chelsea to loan Lewis Hall in 2023, with the deal becoming permanent in the summer of 2024 for £28million.
It was a creative bit of business from Newcastle United, who had used up all their budget by the time they made a move for Hall in 2023. But by agreeing an obligation to buy him one year later, Newcastle were able to delay the payment to Chelsea and find a way around PSR.
Newcastle United boxed clever, and now they might have the chance to do the same in 2025.
Brighton ready to loan out Evan Ferguson
That is because Brighton forward Evan Ferguson could be available.
According to the Telegraph, Brighton will allow Evan Ferguson to go out on loan when the January transfer window opens.
They add that a move to a Premier League club is likely, rather than the 20-year-old dropping down to the Championship.
Newcastle United’s past interest in Evan Ferguson
That could present Newcastle United with an opportunity, as they are no strangers to Ferguson’s talents.
He scored a hat-trick against the Magpies last season, as Brighton beat Eddie Howe’s side 3-1 at the Amex Stadium.
Even before that, Ferguson was a transfer target for Newcastle United. It was reported by the Mirror in February 2023 that Newcastle were scouting the young Irish striker.
Newcastle want to sign a striker in 2025
And Ferguson’s availability comes at a time when the Magpies are planning to reinforce their attacking options.
It has been reported that Newcastle will aim to sign a striker in 2025, with Callum Wilson’s Toon future up in the air. His contract expires in the summer, and it remains to be seen if he will be kept on. That will largely depend on how he performs, which in turn will depend on whether or not he can stay fit.
But Newcastle need to look towards the future, which is why they should be looking at Evan Ferguson, a striker who has been compared to Toon legend Alan Shearer and is a ‘phenomenal‘ finisher according to James Milner.
With PSR set to be a problem for Newcastle again in January, a loan deal would be a way to avoid those financial issues – but only if Toon officials were able to include an option to buy Ferguson permanently in the future.
That would be easier said than done, as the Telegraph add that Brighton ideally do not want to sell the youngster, who is valued at £60million.
But if Newcastle could reignite their interest in Ferguson and agree a loan with an option to buy deal then it could be a bit of a masterstroke. It would give Newcastle the Callum Wilson replacement they crave, whilst also giving them more time to sort out their PSR position down the road.
However, a lot of dominos would need to fall for this to be a possibility. Right now it is pure fantasy.
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