Arsenal have now added a £100m-rated striker to their transfer shortlist after missing out on Benjamin Sesko.
News broke this week that the Slovenian international will be staying at RB Leipzig, with Sesko set to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga side, ending any hope of Arsenal landing the 21-year-old attacker this summer.
Sesko had been strongly linked with a move to north London in recent weeks, yet with the forward now remaining in Germany, Arsenal have to shift their attention elsewhere in the striker market, with Joshua Zirkzee a reported option.
Yet it now appears that another highly-rated youngster is now being watched by Arsenal.
Evan Ferguson highlighted by Arsenal as potential Sesko alternative
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Brighton & Hove Albion star Evan Ferguson has been added to Arsenal’s striker shortlist as an alternative to Sesko, along with Sporting Lisbon superstar Viktor Gyokeres.
Tipped by Alan Shearer to become a ‘superstar’ striker, the £100m-rated Republic of Ireland international has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal for some time, with Ferguson one of the most sought-after youngsters in the Premier League.
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Yet after a disappointing season with Brighton that saw the 19-year-old score just six goals in all competitions, interest in Ferguson has plummeted this summer, with the forward expected to remain at Brighton.
However, with Arsenal in need of a striker, Ferguson could now emerge as an option once again for the Gunners, especially if Brighton are willing to drop their financial demands for the teenage attacker.
Arsenal have to do all they can to lower Ferguson’s asking price
Whilst Ferguson didn’t enjoy the best of years for Brighton this season, it’s easy to forget that the Irish striker is still 19-years-old and already has an impressive 16 senior goals to his name with the Seagulls.
Yet with Ferguson’s reputation as low as it has been, Arsenal could take advantage of this and do all they can to lower the attacker’s asking price, with £100m simply too much for the Brighton wonderkid.
Indeed, Ferguson could explode under Mikel Arteta if a deal can be arranged, and if Arsenal are willing to pay a big fee for the teenager, then there could room for Brighton to lower their demands for the attacker.