National journo: PL club ‘still keen’ on summer deal for West Brom talent
Crystal Palace are “still keen” on making a move for West Brom defender Nathan Ferguson this summer, according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon.
The 19-year-old came close to joining the Premier League outfit in January, only to have the deal scuppered by an injury at the eleventh hour.
Ferguson hasn’t featured for the Baggies since the end of January because of that complaint, and with his contract set to expire this summer, he may well have played his last game for his boyhood.
And Nixon has suggested that the Eagles are still very much interested in wrapping up a deal for the starlet.
Writing on his personal Twitter account, when asked about Palace’s transfer plans this summer, the reliable journalist said: “Still keen on Nathan Ferguson and waiting on a couple of targets getting more sensible prices”.
This isn’t the first time that we’ve heard rumblings about Palace’s interest in Ferguson.
Back in February, just a couple of weeks after the deal collapsed, the Daily Mail suggested that a summer swoop was still very much on the cards.
Three months later, and the fact that a reporter as reliable and respected as Nixon is still talking up the chances of a switch makes it feel as if this is a case of when, not if.
Even Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham has claimed that he will be “very surprised” if Palace aren’t able to get this one over the line.
Of course, from our point of view, it’s a real shame to see such an exciting homegrown talent on the brink of an exit.
With Slaven Bilic has already hailed him as a player who is comparable to precocious England international Declan Rice, and the maturity and consistency he has shown since making his breakthrough into the first team this season would suggest that he will be a natural fit for a Premier League side such as the Eagles.
In other West Brom news, View: West Brom veteran could follow Brunt’s lead and thrive for another year with Ch’ship move.