6 days ago
Ferguson latest as Roma interest in Ireland striker is revived two years on
Roma have been once again linked with a move for Ireland striker Evan Ferguson - two years after their interest in the Brighton youngster emerged.
The Serie A giants are eager to bolster their striking options and are free to dip into the transfer market now that UEFA has closed the case on their breaching of Financial Fair Play.
Roma have been fined €3m by Europe's governing body, a drop in the ocean compared to the €80m punishment handed out to Chelsea - although €59m of that has been suspended.
That means they can head into the summer window with certainty, and one of the first decisions facing them could relate to Ferguson.
Their interest in the Meathman first emerged in Mirror Sport in May 2023, while Jose Mourinho was still in charge of I Giallorossi.
At that time, however, Brighton had no desire to part company with Ferguson, and just weeks earlier they had handed him his second new contract in six months.
There are still three years to run on that deal, which expires in the summer of 2028, however the Seagulls are now open to losing the 20-year-old, even on a permanent basis.
Some reports state that they are willing to sell Ferguson for between €25m - €30m, well shy of previous valuations.
The Ireland ace endured a difficult campaign last year. An ankle injury meant he lost ground on his rivals for a starting spot at Brighton under new boss Fabian Hurzeler.
He made just two starts before another ankle injury in late December ruled him out for a month and almost scuppered his prospects of moving away from Brighton on loan.
Despite his fitness woes, West Ham's former Brighton boss Graham Potter made a move late in the window, but he started Ferguson just once and played him for a total of just over 150 minutes.
While another loan move this summer has been suggested - with clubs such as Celtic and Everton linked with the youngster - it appears that Brighton could opt to cash in on him.
And having brushed off Roma's interest two years ago, reports in Italy suggest that the Premier League men have initiated contact this time around.
Serie A side Atalanta have also been mentioned as potential suitors, should they lose Argentinean-born Italy international Mateo Retegui this summer.
