Wright lauds ‘fearless’ £100m Man Utd, City target after Arsenal are tipped to beat rivals to signing

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has lauded Brighton forward Evan Ferguson amid reports linking him with Manchester United and Manchester City.

Ferguson has been one of the breakout stars in the Premier League over the past 18 months as he has scored ten goals in his first 24 outings in the top flight for Brighton.

The 18-year-old produced a stunning performance last weekend as he netted a hat-trick in Brighton’s 3-1 victory over Newcastle United.

The young forward is under contract until 2028 so Brighton will be able to demand a massive fee for their prized asset when clubs around Europe try to sign him.

It was claimed before the summer transfer window closed that Arsenal are ‘most likely’ to sign Ferguson from Brighton in 2024 for a fee worth around £100m.

Man Utd were heavily linked with Ferguson before they bought Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta and the Republic of Ireland international is now reportedly being monitored by Man City, who are hoping to partner him with Erling Haaland. 

Wright was full of praise for Ferguson when speaking about the teenager this week. The Gunners legend thinks he is capable of “playing for any” of the Big Six teams in the Premier League.

“When you look at him, the way he plays, his appreciation for the game, his movement and finishing [with] both feet, good in the air and good pace,” Wright told Premier League Productions.

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“He has all the attributes at 18. Very mature in the way he plays. All he has to do is keep doing what he is doing and they are going to start talking about him in million terms because that striker is not allowed.

“You can’t find that guy to come around, who is 18, in the Premier League and at the perfect club to continue to grow.

“They aren’t going to be able to hold onto that guy if he carries on doing what he is doing. He is too good. So intelligent – for 18, it’s really, really composed finishing.

“He is fearless at 18. Can you imagine being in the Premier League at 18? You’re not under the pressure you would be under like Garnacho would be under at Manchester United – you watch the way he plays, all the top teams, the top six teams. He can play in any of those teams. We know Brighton, at some stage, they will sell him.”

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