West Ham United’s chances of signing Evan Ferguson before Monday’s transfer deadline have decreased with Bayer Leverkusen now interested in the Ireland International, according to the Daily Mail. 

The Mail Online reported just yesterday that the Hammers were “frontrunners” for the signing of Ferguson with Bundesliga clubs, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton also interested. It has now been revealed that one of the German clubs interested is last years winners and Europa League finalists Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer are expected to lose their striker Victor Boniface this week as he looks set to make a move to Saudi club Al-Nassr for around £50m which means they will need to replace him with Patrik Schick the only other real striker option in the squad.

Rumours suggest that Ferguson could be the man that Xabi Alonso wants to fill that hole in the squad with Boniface’s unexpected departure, but they face stiff competition from Graham Potter and West Ham.

The 20-year-old reportedly favours a move to East London to link up with his former manager, however, Leverkusen’s interest could really put a spanner in the works as they have Champions League football and a Bundesliga title race to offer.

Brighton would also be a lot more likely to sanction a permanent move to Germany, rather than to a direct rival in West Ham. Leverkusen will also be able to afford a permanent move for the striker that would likely cost at least £30m with the Hammers reluctant to spend big unless they are certain, like they are with Jhon Duran.

Ferguson has only jus returned from an ankle injury suffered in December, so he hasn’t managed to put a run of games together. Graham Potter ideally would’ve liked to bring in someone that’s fit, firing and ready to go. However, the club tried that with Brian Brobbey but a loan deal wasn’t able to be struck.

Evan Ferguson is a player that we know works well under Graham Potter, the player is young so will want to prove himself, and is available on loan. The Irishman ticks pretty much all the boxes for what Potter is looking for for the rest of the season, so it would be smart for the Hammers to get a deal wrapped up before Boniface leaves Bayer Leverkusen.