Man Utd & Chelsea transfer blow as wonderkid striker target’s transfer value skyrockets after signing SIX-YEAR contract

EVAN FERGUSON has signed a new six-year-deal at Brighton - just six months after his last big contract.

The Seagulls have moved to deter interest from a host of big clubs, including Manchester United, who made enquiries in the summer.

Ferguson, 19, has made huge strides under boss Roberto De Zerbi.

And he told Big Six suitors in the summer that he had no interest in leaving The Amex.

The new deal, which runs until 2029, is a year longer than the one signed in April.

It brings a healthy wage hike for Ferguson, who was previously thought to be on around £20,000-a-week.

But the new deal is not thought to include a release clause.

And Brighton now value their Irish star at up to £100million.

Seagulls technical director, David Weir, said: “Evan is a brilliant young talent and we are delighted for him.

“He’s shown his ability at club and international level, after breaking into the team at the start of the year, and we are looking forward to working with him and watching his continued progress.”

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Ferguson, who has five Premier League goals this season including a hat-trick against Newcastle, follows fellow star Kaoru Mitoma in penning a new contract this season.

Boss Roberto De Zerbi added: “Evan deserves this new contract and he has a very big future ahead of him.”

The striker joined Brighton from Irish side Bohemians in January 2021, opting to move to Sussex despite an offer from Liverpool.

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