Brighton chief executive Paul Barber categorically rules out Evan Ferguson's departure after loan link
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has ended speculation over Evan Ferguson's departure and insists he is “very happy”.
This week it was reported that the striker has been named available on loan in the next January transfer window.
Ferguson He has only started one Premier League match this season, with manager Fabian Hurzeler opting to name other attacking options.
Hurzeler minimized speculation However, the Irishman deviates from the matter: “I don't know where this information comes from.”
He also revealed that he is happy to have Ferguson on his team and CEO Barber appears to have ruled out the possibility of him leaving.
Speaking exclusively to Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent on Drive ahead of Brighton Speaking in the home Premier League clash against Southampton on Friday, live on talkSPORT, he said: “Evan is a really important part of the team.
“Sometimes naughty rumors arise from various strange places and one or two journalists accept those ideas, spread by one or two other clubs, perhaps in some cases.
“But Evan is very happy, we are very happy with Evan, we hope he will be an important piece of the team throughout the season.
“Unfortunately, sometimes in this business we know that rumors and outside noise are things to ignore.”
talkSPORT reported in January that Ferguson, who scored 17 goals in 74 appearances for Brighton, was a Goal for Chelsea.
However, the Seagulls believed the 20-year-old was worth more than the Blues paid for Moisés Caicedo, which was £115m.
Brighton have been praised for their management of the transfer market as sales, including Caicedo, have helped generate huge sums of income.
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Marc Cucurella and Ben White have also been notable departures to generate financial gains for a club that can still compete even when top talent leaves.
Barber was asked how difficult it is to retain players when big offers come in, as well as who has the final say on departures.
He gave an insight into the club's sales when he said: “Well, ultimately he will always be the chairman because he owns the club and we use his money whether we bring it in or spend it.”
“I think the key is that we all talk about it openly, we don't turn the player off by hearing an offer and then not talking to the player's agent.
“Nine times out of ten, 99 times out of 100, the agent will know before we do, but the most important thing is that we have to sell at the right time for everyone.
“It may be too early for the player, it may not be the right club for the player, it may not be the right time for us, it may not be the right transfer window for us.
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“So we try to be as open as possible, we try to have players on contracts that ultimately give us control and, if that's the case, then all the circumstances have to be right for us to want to sell.
“If they're not right, we won't sell. If we think it's going to hurt the team in the short term, we won't sell.”
Brighton will move up to second place in the Premier League with a win against Southampton, overtaking Chelsea and Arsenal.
It would further highlight the incredible progress they have made over the last few years, as well as with Hurzeler this season.
