Brighton & Hove Albion are expected to make striker Evan Ferguson available for loan during the January transfer window.

Ferguson, 20, impressed for the Seagulls in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, earning himself links to some of the Premier League’s top sides. Chelsea were among those linked with a move for the Republic of Ireland international amid claims that Brighton would seek an eye-watering £100m to agree a deal.

Since the arrival of new manager Fabian Hurzeler in the summer, Ferguson has struggled horribly for minutes, appearing just seven times in the Premier League for a total of 105 minutes. With Danny Welbeck, Joao Pedro and summer signing Georginio Rutter ahead of him in the pecking order, theTelegraph state he will be available for loan once the January transfer window opens.

It is stressed that Brighton do not want to sell Ferguson, who now has a revised value of around £60m.

Chelsea have been tipped to try sign a new striker in January after failing to strike a deal to sign Victor Osimhen, who is not believed to be keen on a mid-season move after joining Galatasaray on loan during the summer.

Despite not bolstering in attack, Chelsea have hardly endured any real issues in front of goal this season. Enzo Maresca’s side have netted 23 times in the Premier League – only Liverpool (24) and Tottenham Hotspur (27) have managed more.

Nicolas Jackson has been the primary starter and has contributed seven of those goals, as has talisman Cole Palmer. Noni Madueke is next in the standings with four strikes to his name.

With Ferguson struggling for game time, Chelsea may seek to act on their long-standing interest in January, but much will depend on the future of Christopher Nkunku, who was recently linked with aStamford Bridge exit because of his own lack of minutes.

The Frenchman has 10 goals to his name in all competitions this season but hasn’t been able to dislodge Jackson in order to become a regular Premier League starter. Indeed, the £52m signing has netted just once in 162 minutes of top-flight football – his only start coming on the opening day of the season against Manchester City.

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