Despite being injured since last December, many eyes have been on Evan Ferguson this January transfer window with Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen among those leading the speculation.
While he has not been a core feature of Fabian Huerzler's team, the 20-year old striker caught the attention of many as he burst onto the scene as a youngster, one stellar performance being his hat-trick against Newcastle back in September 2023.
Richard Dunne was speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes' "Gaffer of all Accas" in praise of the Irish frontman, seeing that a transfer move is on the cards for him, and could be the reboot he needs upon returning from injury.
If he gets the opportunity over the next few days - and I'm sure he will - it'll be nice to see him go somewhere and start playing games. That's the first problem for him; he needs to go to a club, knowing that he's going to be playing games. Hopefully that's in the Premier League.
And if he does get the opportunity to play, say, 15 games, between now and the end of the season, well then all of that interest we've seen in him over the last few years is going to come back.
A fresh start for Ferguson could be the spark that revives his killer instinct. After netting only one goal so far this season, a new squad with a manager that will give him the chance to lace his shooting boots back up could be the step that returns him to the fiery form that ignited all the talk about him in the first place. Dunne believes that the solution could come in the form of a familiar face.
Graham Potter going to West Ham - as someone who gave Evan his opportunity at Brighton - knows and understands what he's all about, and that's potentially somebody who would be able to give him the opportunity to play regularly between now and the end of the season. He'd put faith and trust in him, and understand how to get the best out of him.
Potter guided Ferguson into the spotlight back in 2022 when he selected him in his rising Brighton team. A reunion could be set considering that West Ham are on the hunt for a new striker, especially looking at their chase for Aston Villa's Jhon Duran. The move could work in both parties' favour, however Dunne also thinks Ferguson could aim higher up the table if the chance arose.
If the possibility comes from a team higher up in the league, like an Arsenal, or a Chelsea; a team who creates lots of opportunities, then again, that's another option. You know, he wants to be part of a team who score goals and create lots of chances; he doesn't want to go in somewhere where people are relying solely on him. He needs a creative team; I'm sure he'll have options.
A move for Ferguson seems bound to happen in this window as many teams are looking to boost their firepower as the season climbs over the halfway mark. It is certain that wherever Ferguson goes will give him an opportunity to rekindle his flame, and possibly start a run of form which could linger into the Irish national team.