Leeds United ready to battle Everton for potential £45m transfer | OneFootball

The Whites face stern competition as they prepare for a potential promotion from the Championship

Leeds United are set to enter battle with Everton for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson.

That’s according to a report from TEAMtalk, where it was revealed that both sides are eyeing a summer move for the Republic of Ireland striker.

The 20-year-old is currently on loan at West Ham United but has struggled in his time at the London Stadium.

It’s thought that the Whites view Ferguson as a potential long-term replacement for current striker Patrick Bamford.

Everton thought to be frontrunners for Leeds United target Ferguson

Despite Leeds being firmly in the race, sources indicated to TEAMtalk that Everton are the “club to watch” this summer in negotiations for Ferguson.

They claim that West Ham, who don’t have an option to buy in the striker’s loan deal, are already looking at other forward options and are therefore not likely to explore a permanent deal for the Irishman.

Everton alerted Brighton to their interest in January, before Ferguson signed the loan deal with the Hammers, and based on this report, it doesn’t appear their attraction has been dampened by the quiet spell in east London.

The Seagulls valued Ferguson at £45m in the last window and, with a contract at the Amex Stadium running until 2029 – and the player having only just entered his 20s – it’s unlikely that figure has moved significantly.

Ferguson can solve Bamford issue for Leeds

The motivation to sign Ferguson for both clubs is clear.

For Leeds, the mood music for some time has been that Bamford will depart the Whites in the summer, as revealed by a Football Insider report.

He has slipped down the pecking order at Elland Road after being the main man for so many years, having made just 13 appearances in the Championship this season, all from the bench, in another injury-plagued season.

Joel Piroe has taken on that role excellently in his place this season, but has no Premier League experience. Should they earn promotion, pinning all their survival hopes solely on the Dutchman would be a big ask.

But Everton have just as big an opening for Ferguson.

The Toffees do have an option to make on-loan striker Armando Broja a permanent signing for £30m, but a so-far goalless, injury-stricken season seems unlikely to convince the club to part with the cash.

They could also be about to lose long-standing forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer to Newcastle United.

Given access to minutes therefore looks similar – and Leeds would be a newly promoted side – the Whites have a tough battle on their hands to convince Ferguson that Elland Road is the destination for him.

Leeds may also need to be wary of Ferguson

However, as much as Leeds would need to do plenty of convincing to land Ferguson – presumably only possible if they do earn a Premier League spot – they must also take some caution of their own.

It now seems likely that, for the second consecutive season, all three promoted sides will be relegated straight back down to the Championship: the potential task ahead of Leeds is mammoth.

Ferguson has suffered with injuries, but he has not exactly been ripping it up when he has been on the pitch – he’s without a goal since the end of October last year in domestic football.

If £45m is indeed the asking price, it’s a significant outlay for a newly promoted side, for a striker who will seemingly not guarantee immediate goals.

The fate of recent promoted sides suggests Leeds may not have the time for a ‘project’ forward and may instead be better served investing those funds in a seasoned Premier League talent.