Former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane has urged Manchester United to shelve plans for Harry Kane and instead sign his compatriot Evan Ferguson.
Kane has one year remaining on his Spurs deal after this season, and has been linked with a summer exit. He would not come cheap, though, and there remain suggestions that he will stay in North London despite United's efforts to partner him with fellow target Goncalo Ramos.
Victor Osimhen and Randal Kolo Muani have both been suggested as alternatives, though Bayern Munich are also thought to be in the mix for the in-demand pair. Ferguson could be a far more affordable option, though, despite signing a new Brighton contract at the end of April.
“I think he’s got everything. There’s so much to admire about his game,” Kilbane told the Off The Ball Football Show (via TeamTalk ), giving United 10 reasons to push for the teenager. “What he has is that physical presence, he’s six foot three, he can run off the shoulder. He’s also got that little bit of pace.
“He works the channels well, he’s got that sort of side to his game. But the standout feature to his game is where he comes off into the little pockets playing as a 10 on the half-turn. He can take the ball with his back foot with the ability to run at defenders and the ability to pick a pass out.
“[He’s] good in air, I mean what doesn’t he have? We’re all extremely exciting about him because we know the ability that he’s got."
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Ferguson made his Premier League debut for Brighton last season, coming off the bench in a game against Burnley. However, he has featured a lot more since Roberto De Zerbi replaced Graham Potter as manager.
The teenager has four league goals in less than 700 minutes of football this term, and has also netted in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. He also scored his first senior international goal for Ireland in March, netting in a 3-2 victory over Latvia.
"In my work I have to make results but I have to help my players to improve, to progress," De Zerbi said. "But I think we can achieve our target with Evan. I'm proud for him, I think the same for our scouting in our club. He can become a great player."
Ferguson, who doesn't turn 19 until October, signed a new deal running until 2028. “Evan’s contract extension is great news," De Zerbi said after the long-term contract was made official.
"He trains and plays like a senior player with many years of experience and has become an important member of the squad. The aim is to help him become one of the strongest strikers in Europe.”"
