WEST HAM are leading the race to sign Evan Ferguson but want a fitness guarantee.
Talks are progressing over a loan deal for the Ireland striker, though the Hammers are waiting for clarity on his injury situation.
The 20-year-old desperately needs to get playing regularly for someone[/caption]
Bizarrely, this year’s January window doesn’t close untl 11pm on Monday February 3[/caption]
Ferguson has not played since December 21 and while he has returned to training, he has yet to be named on the bench.
The Seagulls are open to offers, with Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham and Bournemouth all interested.
Current boss Fabian Hurzeler, though, still sees his future at the Amex.
The German said: “The main thing is development, his individual development.
“That’s what we’re really keen on. I see the future from Evan long-term and I see it here because I like his profile.
“His profile is rare on the market, you don’t see it so often, a clear No 9.”
However, he warned: “We are talking a lot about Evan’s past, how good he was.
“In the end no one can get anything back from the past. We know he has the potential.”
New West Ham boss Graham Potter handed Ferguson his Brighton debut, though the striker only made five appearances under him.
The Hammers have had a loan bid for PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi — who scored one and grabbed an assist against Liverpool on Wednesday night — rejected.
Elsewhere in Irish football news, Damien Duff has revealed he turned down an approach from a ‘big English club’ last week.
But the Shelbourne boss insisted he has no intention of going anywhere anytime soon.
The ex-Ireland star’s reputation soared last year when he led the Shels to an unexpected league title.
And he made it clear that he would be hanging around to try to back it up again ahead of the season’s start in a fortnight’s time.
Duff admitted there had been some approaches in the close-season, most recently through his assistant, Joey O’Brien.
BOLTON FROM THE BLUE?
Duff did not name the club but O’Brien’s former club Bolton sacked Ian Evatt last week and are still on the lookout for a new boss.
Duff said: “I’ve had a couple. Joey rang me last week, a big club in England rang to see if I was interested and we didn’t even have the conversation.
“We just got back on to Shels. I think that shows my interest. No. Anybody could ring me, anybody. I’m not just saying it for the sake of it or to think ‘oh, he’s a good guy’.
“No, I honestly just want to stay here. I’m surrounded by brilliant people.
“Am I going in cranky every day? Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love them. I’ve no plans to go anywhere, believe it or not.
“I’ve got a beautiful wife and kids here, my daughter is still in sixth class. As long as people want me in the league, I will be here. I’m not going anywhere regardless of somebody wanting me.
“My duty here is to my family first, to Shelbourne, but also to the league because I haven’t done it just for quotes or to be heard.
“I’ve fought for the league and I’m going to continue to do it and I’m passionate about it, and I want it to grow.
“I absolutely believe that it’s the most inspiring thing in Irish football at the minute, absolutely head and shoulders above our national team and I’ve no plans to go away.
“You’re stuck with me for the time being.”
