The Evan Ferguson to Celtic rumour – Pros, cons and implications

Rumours galore at this time of the year

As a supporter who loves this time of the season, where rumours of exciting transfer stories emerge – although I realise that’s not for everyone – a link to an EPL striker would normally float this boat, but the truth is I cannot see anywhere that there is any substance whatsoever to the rumour, although it was being talked about on the Kerrydale Street forum this week with a few ‘ITKs’ claiming that it was happening. Perhaps that’s the source for the story?

As far as I can make out there may have been some tentative interest from Celtic in January, as the club tried to secure Brendan Rodgers his Kyogo replacement, but with Ferguson’s former boss taking over at West Ham it is perhaps no surprise Ferguson chose to join up with Graham Potter and see out the season with the Hammers.

However, this summer – and despite there appearing to be some interest in strikers – most Celtic transfer rumours appear to be for the left-wing position, a supporting left back to allow for Kieran Tierney rotation and deep lying playmakers, alongside some names linked with right sided attackers too.

Celtic, it appears, already have a deal all but announced for Fulham youngster Callum Osmand, who you would assume will be a replacement for Daniel Cummings or maybe even Johnny Kenny, but other than that there hasn’t been much else when it comes to strikers, and certainly nothing on Evan Ferguson.

Maeda’s form has been magnificent for Celtic since Kyogo left 

Indeed, Celtic’s transfer priorities may not stretch to a striker at all given Daizen Maeda’s form in the position – post Kyogo’s move to Rennes – was outstanding.

Meanwhile as Adam Idah’s 20 goal season would make him an ideal support act for Celtic’s Japanese striker, and a player who seems happy to play second fiddle to boot, it was only really Johnny Kenny who you would think could be moved on, or more likely sent out on loan again.

As such the purchase of Osmand would make a lot of sense but it’s difficult to say a striker would be a priority position for Celtic in this transfer window, unless we should all be worried and Daizen Maeda is going to be sold in this window.

Ferguson is also a bit of a head scratcher now, as it appears his stock is dropping rather fast in the EPL. After a breakout season that saw Manchester United rumoured to be willing to pay £100m for the player, an ACL injury curtailed Ferguson’s development somewhat.

Ferguson hasn’t exactly managed to regain the fitness, never mind the form

It is fair to say, at Brighton and on loan at West Ham he hasn’t exactly managed to regain the fitness, never mind the form, that saw Ferguson emerge as arguably a generational talent.

The move to West Ham on loan perhaps should have been the one that brought Evan Ferguson back up to speed. Yet, despite Graham Potter’s history with the player, the West Ham boss barely played the striker. And considering they experimented with playing with no strikers at all rather than play the lad they got on loan, and had previously been coached by the manager, that has got to raise a red flag.

I’ve heard financially this transfer would be out of Celtic’s reach but a look around to see what sort of wages he’s on; I think Celtic could afford it.

Ferguson’s wages might well be affordable for Celtic 

The player is not on the mega-money on offer at some EPL sides as Brighton have quite a strict wage policy, in fact it looks to me that Ferguson at the most is on just over £40,000 per week at Brighton, and assuming any loan fee is not astronomical, Celtic could certainly afford that figure, on a short term loan basis at least.

For me the issue with Ferguson would be recent post injury form. Now it could be argued Brendan Rodgers could work his magic, or that a good pre-season could see Ferguson return to fitness and in turn form, but we should also be considering it’s nearly two years since Ferguson showed the form he initially showed when he broke onto the scene.

 Leap of faith to assume Rodgers can get the player up to Champions League pace

As such it may be a leap of faith to assume Brendan Rodgers can get the player up to Champions League pace, even if Celtic did sign him as the transfer window opens.

I fear such an early purchase would also be unlikely. You’d assume this would be a loan option only and unlikely to come with an affordable option to buy attached. With that in mind it may be both Brighton and possibly the player would like to leave their options open until later in the window, both for Brighton to judge the player over pre-season but also to ensure they get the best deal possible for the player, which you would assume would be an outright purchase.

Evan Ferguson to Celtic sounds like a great transfer rumour in theory

Evan Ferguson to Celtic sounds like a great transfer rumour in theory, but the reality is there seems no real substance to the rumours. And even if they were true, it is far from guaranteed Evan Ferguson remains the player he was when he burst onto the scene.

The Celtic Board is famously risk averse but as we discussed yesterday are taking a gamble on Kieran Tierney’s fitness. That’s fine but to add Evan Ferguson to that category might be a bridge too far for the club’s management and they would certainly have a point if that’s the way this played out.