Everton have been tipped to seal an eye-catching move for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson in the January transfer window.

The Ireland international was once one of the Premier League’s most sought-after young players, before an unfortunate run of injuries hindered his progress.

Everton were linked with a move for Ferguson in the summer, but the frontman ultimately joined Roma on loan until the end of the season.

The Friedkin Group are now eyeing a move to bring the youngster to their other club on Merseyside, in a surprise January move.

Everton backed to seal typical Evan Ferguson loan in January

Everton’s interest in Ferguson has been sustained for several months, and the fact that The Friedkin Group signed him for their other club is a clear sign of their admiration for him.

However, the Brighton starlet has struggled in the Italian capital and has failed to find the back of the net so far this season.

The Toffees are now interested in taking Ferguson on a loan deal this winter, according to Leggo, as they bid to find a solution to their striker concerns.

Ex-Everton scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Goodison News – feels that the Irishman would be a typical David Moyes signing, but also questions his injury history.

“He’s certainly the sort of player that Moyes would like to have a go at, to see if he can fish that potential out of him,” King said.

“But if he’s that good, why hasn’t he been playing for Brighton recently?

“He’s someone who has had an injury at a young age, and things haven’t worked out for him at Roma.

“It’s always worrying when you’ve got a player who’s got the potential that everybody says he’s got, and he goes away and struggles to get on the scoresheet.”

Evan Ferguson had a worse conversion rate than Beto last season

Beto is heavily criticised at Everton at times, and their desire to add a new striker to their ranks stems from the streaky nature of his game.

The Guinea-Bissau international is very much a confidence player, and he can look lost at times during periods where he is struggling for a goal.

Ferguson’s 2024-25 Premier League stats compared to Beto’s, as per Sofascore.However, any fresh addition in January needs to be an upgrade on the 27-year-old, and Ferguson’s stats from his last Premier League campaign show that he isn’t that.

The youngster had a conversion rate of just eight per cent in front of goal in 2024-25, which was a far cry from Beto’s own figure of 16 per cent, as per Sofascore.

Throw in the fact that Ferguson’s goals came with over 400 minutes between them, and it is clear that he isn’t really the upgrade that Everton perhaps thinks he is.

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