Leeds United could turn to Brighton in ambitious January transfer deal: View | OneFootball

A move to send Evan Ferguson to Leeds United from Brighton could be beneficial to all parties in the short-term.

Leeds United are fortunate to have both Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe on their books, as each offers something different up front for Daniel Farke, but a new striker could be on the agenda in the January window.

Of course, between them, they may provide enough for Leeds' promotion push this term. But with Football Insider recently claiming that Patrick Bamford is planning to depart Elland Road next summer after growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of game time under Farke, they may need another option in attack sooner rather than later.

Evan Ferguson has not been featuring as heavily for Brighton & Hove Albion so far this season, and although a move to the Championship may feel beneath him and his current abilities, it may be something that is worth considering for both himself and the Seagulls in January.

If he were to be made available for loan, numerous sides will be keen to take him. That would extend beyond just the Championship as well, with Ferguson likely to have suitors in many of the big-five leagues in Europe, including the Premier League. However, Leeds should also be in the queue in that scenario.

Evan Ferguson should consider a loan exit from Brighton and head to Leeds

Sending a young player out on loan to a league that might initially seem below their level can be a strategic idea in the early stages of development. It provides a controlled environment for growth, enabling them to build confidence without the immediate pressures of a more challenging or physically demanding competition.

Confidence, after all, is a critical component of a young player's ability to adapt and excel as they progress in their career. This approach allows a player to experience regular game time, which is often elusive at their parent club or in leagues more aligned with their current abilities.

Playing consistently not only hones technical ability and takes them closer to their ceiling and potential as a player, but also nurtures match sharpness, tactical awareness, and decision-making in the final third. Importantly, the experience of dominating at a slightly lower level reinforces belief in their own abilities, preparing them mentally for greater challenges in the top-flight.

Ferguson has only known Premier League or under-21's football since moving to Brighton from Bohemians, and has perhaps not had the development loan that could serve him well with regular game time in a league that he would be able to boss in both a physical and technical sense.

In many cases, skipping this intermediate step in their development can lead to stagnation. A player might struggle in a more demanding league if thrust into it too soon, potentially damaging their confidence and long-term trajectory. In Ferguson's case, he burst onto the scene but has perhaps hit a slight bump in the road over the last year after struggling to play, or indeed score, on a consistent basis.

By gradually escalating the level of competition, which happens in most cases, players develop at a steady and manageable pace. This method ensures that when they eventually take the plunge into a league more suited to their current ability, they do so with the confidence and momentum necessary to thrive.

A loan to a perceived "lower" level is not a step back but rather a foundational stage of development. It lays the groundwork for a player to excel in more competitive environments later. Clubs and managers with a long-term vision often embrace this philosophy, recognising that the short-term optics of such a loan pale in comparison to the benefits of nurturing a young player ready to maximise their potential when the time is right.

Brighton have often got this side of their model absolutely perfect with most players in recent years, but Ferguson is one of only a handful to have fast-tracked their way into the first-team, where the likes of Ben White and Simon Adingra tore it up elsewhere first before making their mark back at the AMEX.

Ferguson should be mindful of his next steps at Brighton through Leeds switch

There are numerous examples of players who initially struggled when sent on loan to leagues too competitive for their stage of development but later rebuilt their careers by dropping to a more manageable level after a failed loan stint at a higher level before it.

Dane Scarlett is a prime example who seems to now be reaping the rewards after some difficult seasons prior to 2024/25. Troy Parrott, who initially struggled at Millwall and Ipswich Town but found a better fit at MK Dons in League One, and gained vital confidence by scoring regularly and being a key player.

This steady progression after a bad first move has helped him maintain his upward trajectory, albeit slower than initially expected. Ferguson could easily play at another Premier League side lower down the table on loan, if it is forthcoming, but there may be more merit in learning from those players and heading to the Championship to one of the league's most dominant teams.

Parrott and Scarlett are just two examples of many which highlight the challenge of stepping into a senior side at a relatively young age. Following this, they returned to a lower-profile environment, at a lower level, with less of the limelight, working to re-establish themselves before climbing the ranks again.

This development trajectory shows the value of finding the right level for a young player. Taking a step back to rebuild his confidence and rediscover his rhythm in a lower division before facing tougher competition again. For Ferguson, who has stagnated somewhat at Brighton recently, a short-term move to a Championship club who need an all-round striker who is both clinical and the right presence for them could make sense.

Despite showing flashes of his immense talent, Ferguson has found consistent game time and form hard to come by in a competitive Brighton squad recently. He notched his first goal in almost a year recently when he bagged in a 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Ferguson has started just three times during his eight appearances this season, including twice in the EFL Cup.

He is stil aged just 20, but it is also less than ideal circumstances for him right now, where a six-month loan to a high-performing Championship side such as Leeds could provide the perfect platform for him to regain his sharpness and confidence, while allowing him to dominate in a league that matches his current stage of development.

With regular starts and a prominent role, Ferguson could use this opportunity to refine his abilities and return to Brighton ready to compete for a place in Fabian Hurzeler's plans in 2025/26 instead. From Leeds' point of view, Ferguson is a dynamic forward whose blend of physicality, technical skill, and football intelligence makes him a standout talent, and he would no doubt be one of the best centre-forwards in the Championship.

His ability to hold off defenders, link play, and operate effectively in tight spaces highlights his maturity beyond his years, and perhaps a blend of both Piroe and Joseph's best talents. He has extra strings to his bow, though, with Ferguson particularly aerially dominant, too.

Ferguson’s movement off the ball creates constant headaches for opposition defences. While still refining his game, his raw power, sharp instincts, and composure under pressure mark him as one of the brightest young strikers in football today, and one who has the potential to become an elite striker one day. His potential is way above the Championship, but Leeds could help unlock it in a six-month stint.

A loan move could be crucial with Danny Welbeck so in-form as well, meaning he is stuck behind him for the time being, as well as Joao Pedro and ex-Leeds man Georginio Rutter also being a part of a stacked forward line. With Brighton not in Europe and thus not needing to have a squad so large, Leeds could ask the question regarding his availability in January.

It would be ambitious but worth the attempt when gunning for promotion this season, and could be mutually beneficial for all parties in gaining the confidence back in one of Brighton's finest young stars.