Evan Ferguson says he never let the hype or the transfer talk faze him — not even when rumours swirled that Chelsea and Tottenham were prepared to pay £100m for his services.
The 20-year-old striker joined AS Roma from Brighton last month on an initial loan deal with an option to buy, following a disappointing loan spell at West Ham. Now fully fit and aiming to reignite his career, Ferguson opened up in a new interview with Corriere Giallorosso about how he handled being hyped as one of the Premier League’s most promising young forwards.
“Like the story of Chelsea and Tottenham being ready to spend £100m to sign me... I don’t even know if it’s true. These are things I can’t control,” Ferguson told Gazzetta, via Corriere Giallorosso.
Why Ferguson Ignored the Noise and Chose Roma
Despite past interest from English giants, Ferguson opted for a fresh start in Italy — and a fresh challenge under newly-appointed Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini, known for developing strikers.
“It’s a club with a great history,” Ferguson said. “This is a challenge, a new opportunity. I like different things. And then the Friedkins want to do great things.”
Roma will be hoping that Ferguson can rediscover his best form and stay injury-free — something that’s eluded him since his breakout spell at Brighton.
Ferguson Admits West Ham Move Didn’t Work Out
After a difficult start to the 2024/25 season due to an ankle injury, Ferguson moved to West Ham on loan — but the switch didn’t go as planned.
“It was a tough year,” he admitted. “For the first six months, I lived with an ankle injury. I decided to go to West Ham — it didn’t go the way I wanted, but now I feel very good physically.”
Could Ferguson Hit 20 Goals This Season?
While Ferguson remains cautious about setting statistical goals, his ambition is clear. Asked about hitting the 20-goal mark, he replied:
“I don’t usually think about an exact number of goals. I definitely want to score in every game, even though I know it’s not easy. 20 goals? Let’s hope.”
Evan Ferguson – Career Snapshot
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Brighton | 19 | 6 | 2 |
| 2023/24 | Brighton / West Ham (loan) | 21 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025/26 | Roma (loan) | – | – | – |
Analyst Verdict: Gasperini Could Be the Perfect Fit
Ferguson’s talent has never been in question — but staying fit and finding a manager who believes in him is crucial. Under Gasperini’s system, known for revitalising forwards, Ferguson might finally get the consistency he needs to develop into a top-level striker.
If he finds form in Serie A, the big-money links to Chelsea and Tottenham might not feel so far-fetched after all.
Key Insights
- Evan Ferguson joined Roma on loan with option to buy
- Brushed off £100m Chelsea and Tottenham rumours
- “I don’t even know if it’s true” — on past transfer claims
- Admits injury and West Ham loan held him back
- Eyes strong season in Serie A under Gasperini
What’s Next?
Roma are expected to give Ferguson regular minutes in pre-season before finalising whether to activate the buy option in his loan deal.
With Gasperini keen to shape him into a lead striker, the next few months could be decisive for Ferguson’s long-term future — both at club level and with the Republic of Ireland.
If he starts well in Serie A, talk of a Premier League return could resurface much sooner than expected.
Can Evan Ferguson relaunch his career in Serie A — or did he leave the Premier League too soon?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 6 Aug 2025 11:07
brighton almost scammed us, unbelievable but if he stays fit and gets to his form at Brighton when he looked promising we can always come back.
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