Brighton & Hove Albion starlet Evan Ferguson is reportedly among Arsenal's potential striking options for the summer transfer window.
The Gunners' search for a new leading marksman is well-documented, as both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have been unable to string consistent goalscoring runs together.
Jesus has not been helped by a series of knee injuries, and his fitness woes are believed to be a big factor in Arsenal's pursuit of a new big-name striker this summer.
Brentford's Ivan Toney was originally believed to have been Arsenal's prime target, and Bees boss Thomas Frank has conceded that the 27-year-old will most likely depart at the end of the campaign.
However, Arsenal have supposedly taken a step back from pursuing the former Newcastle United man in favour of younger targets, including Ferguson, who is eight years Toney's junior.
© Reuters
According to Football Insider, the North London giants are running the rule over the Seagulls' 19-year-old protege, although they will not bring him to the Emirates Stadium on the cheap.
Amid growing interest in his services, Brighton agreed a new deal with Ferguson's camp back in November, and the Republic of Ireland international will not become a free agent until 2029 under his current agreement.
Brighton are nevertheless braced for offers to arrive in the summer transfer window, but Roberto De Zerbi's side could supposedly demand a British-record fee to sell the teenager, surpassing the £105m that Arsenal paid for Declan Rice last summer.
Ferguson arrived at the Amex from Bohemians midway through the 2020-21 campaign and has registered the Seagulls' senior side on 61 occasions, recording 16 goals and six assists in the process.
A breakthrough 2022-23 season saw the 6ft centre-forward bag 10 goals in all tournaments as Brighton qualified for the Europa League for the first time in their history, although he has just six strikes to show from 32 games this season.
© Reuters
The Irishman has not found the back of the net in any tournament since November, going scoreless in his last 13 Premier League fixtures, but he remains one of the highest-rated attackers in the English top flight.
Chelsea and Manchester United are also believed to be monitoring the situation, but Ferguson is just one of several strikers on Arsenal's summer wishlist, which also includes the 19-year-old's Brighton teammate Joao Pedro.
Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres are also admired by Gunners chiefs, although goalscoring has not been an issue for Mikel Arteta's troops in recent matches.
Arsenal have won each of their first six Premier League games of 2024, scoring 25 goals in the process and recording their joint-biggest away league win with a 6-0 battering of West Ham United.
Ben Knapton
