Newcastle are tracking ‘fantastic’ 18-year-old striker Evan Ferguson

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Newcastle United’s pursuit of acquiring top, young talent continues with reports that they are now watching Brighton and Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson.

Ferguson has been compared to Newcastle legend, Alan Shearer

Ferguson has already been compared to Alan Shearer, and The Mirror reports that Newcastle are monitoring his progress at Brighton with a view to bringing him to Tyneside to see if he can fulfil that promise at the club that holds Shearer in such high regard.

The Magpies aren’t alone in their interest of Ferguson with Tottenham and Chelsea also interested in the Irishman.

Brighton manager Robert De Zerbi has hailed Ferguson as ‘fantastic‘ as he became the second youngest player to score and assist in one Premier League game since Michael Owen in 1997. On the same night he also became the youngest player to score in two consecutive Premier League games since Federico Macheda in 2009.

This season he has managed three goals and two assists in just seven appearances, even more remarkable is that he’s yet to play a full 90 minutes, so all of those goals and assists have come either as a substitute or before being hooked.

Ferguson joined Brighton from Irish side Bohemians in 2021 at the age of 16 and has wasted no time making a name for himself. He’s already been capped at senior international level for Republic of Ireland. Brighton will be desperate to keep him at the Amex for the foreseeable future, but with the big boys circling, that may not be so easy.

While Chelsea and Spurs may fancy their chances of convincing the youngster to join them, Newcastle have a secret weapon – Dan Ashworth. The former Brighton sporting director will already be familiar with Ferguson having been in charge when he made the switch from Bohemians.

Brighton will be able to pluck a figure out of thin air

While having Dan Ashworth’s influence will be a big plus, one thing that could be a stumbling block could be the fee. Although there’s no figure quoted as yet, it would be foolish to suggest that any potential suitor would be able to complete this deal on the cheap.

Ferguson’s deal at Brighton doesn’t expire until 2026, so they have no incentive to cash in, meaning they will be able to demand their own fee based on what they believe he’s worth, which given his early displays, could be a hefty sum. Bear in mind that Bristol City slapped a £25m fee on their hot prospect Alex Scott who is of a similar age and is playing in the league below Ferguson.

Newcastle already have Garang Kuol in the queue to come through as an exciting striker prospect, but it never hurts to have strength in numbers, and given that Ferguson already has Premier League experience, he could find himself in a black and white shirt ahead of Kuol were he to sign.