Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur could go head-to-head for the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson this summer, according to a report.
The 18-year-old is enjoying an eye-catching breakthrough campaign under Roberto De Zerbi, scoring three goals and providing two assists in seven Premier League games.
Ferguson - who made his Premier League debut against Burnley last season - did not make a top-flight appearance this term until Boxing Day, but he has since made the net ripple against Arsenal, Everton and Leicester City.
The 6ft Republic of Ireland international also provided an assist in his side's 3-0 thumping of Liverpool last month, as well as scoring and setting up another in an EFL Cup second-round win over Forest Green Rovers.
Ferguson is contracted to the Seagulls until the summer of 2026 - having penned an extension as recently as October - but top Premier League clubs are unsurprisingly tracking his development closely.
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According to The Sun, both Chelsea and Spurs have taken a liking to the 2004-born striker and could make approaches to sign him during the summer transfer window.
The report states that Tottenham view Ferguson as the ideal long-term successor to Harry Kane, who is yet to extend his contract in North London beyond the summer of 2024.
Spurs could therefore be forced into selling the England captain this summer if he does not agree a new deal, but they will not consider letting him join a Premier League rival.
Meanwhile, Chelsea bolstered their youthful attacking ranks in January with the signing of David Datro Fofana, while Christopher Nkunku will also make the move from RB Leipzig in the summer.
Despite their extortionate spending over the winter, Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is believed to be plotting another significant financial outlay for the summer, and Ferguson is already well-known to Blues boss Graham Potter.
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Potter was in charge of Brighton when Ferguson joined from Bohemians in 2021, and Chelsea's director of global talent Paul Winstanley was working alongside the 47-year-old at the Amex Stadium at the time.
Brighton, as ever, will drive a hard bargain for Ferguson, but Chelsea and Tottenham have been handed a cheaper and alternative solution in the form of Marcus Thuram.
Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed that the Frenchman will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, leading to an expected scramble for his services on a free transfer.
"We've decided to allow Thuram to leave. The fact he will leave for free is not a positive situation. I can't sugarcoat it. We have to accept that there are bigger clubs he might move to," sporting director Roland Virkus told Sport1.
Both Chelsea and Spurs have been credited with an interest in Thuram, but Arsenal and Liverpool could rival the capital giants for the 25-year-old.
Ben Knapton
