Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has hinted that Evan Ferguson could be allowed to leave the club on loan this month if it is a move than can develop the young striker.
Ferguson, 20, has been linked with Arsenal and West Ham of late having struggled for minutes at Albion during a campaign interrupted by injury.
Arsenal appear in increasing need of a new centre-forward amid a burgeoning injury crisis, while West Ham have a pressing need for reinforcements too with Niclas Fullkrug, Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen presently sidelined.
The Hammers last week appointed Graham Potter as their new head coach - with the ex-Brighton boss giving Ferguson his debut in 2022. And while Potter would not be drawn on the interest earlier this week, Albion incumbent Hurzeler reckons Ireland striker Ferguson could be loaned out to a club that can help him improve.
“We will negotiate what is important for him, what is important for his development, where he can improve the best and then we will make the decision together,” Hurzeler said before Brighton ’s Premier League trip to Ipswich on Thursday.
“This decision should be what is best for the player and for the club. We sent (Facundo) Buonanotte, for example, to Leicester.
“We know that the Premier League is a very good league to improve, because it’s tough, it’s intense, especially for young players. It’s the perfect environment to adapt.
“In the end, they want to play for Brighton and we want them to play for Brighton. So, when they improve in the environment of the league where we are also playing, it’s always very helpful.
“So, that’s why I am not thinking about making the other teams better, it’s more about what is best for the player.”
Arsenal's attempt to sign any player on loan this month is complicated, however, by them already having the maximum two Premier League loanees on their books - Raheem Sterling from Chelsea and goalkeeper Neto from Bournemouth.
Neither have featured much and it remains unclear if the Gunners have the potential to terminate those agreements early to allow a new face to arrive for the remainder of a campaign in which they continue to battle on four fronts.