Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keeping an eye on soon-to-be free-agent Nathan Ferguson with him set to be available to sign from July 1st.
According to Football Insider, Spurs are keen to swoop in and land the young defender ahead of their Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, who very nearly signed him in the January transfer window but for a failed medical.
It’s claimed that the Eagles are still in the driving seat to clinch him, but interest from the north Londoners will be something to consider.
Who would you rather have at right-back next season?
Serge Aurier
Max Aarons
Nathan Ferguson
Other...
As Ferguson is only 19, West Brom will be entitled to a compensation fee thought to be around £4m, which is quite the steal as the number mooted at the start of the year was £10m.
Jose Mourinho appears to be in the market for a new right-sided option and Ferguson, who has been dubbed as a new Declan Rice by former Hammers boss, now Baggies chief, Slaven Bilic.
Back in December, Sky Sports’ Championship pundit Keith Andrews believed the Englishman had been the best young player in the division, speaking on the EFL podcast he said:
“For me, it’s Nathan Ferguson I was there for his debut against Nottingham Forest, we were surprised to see him start even though he’d played through pre-season, and you’re always wondering how someone that young is going to deal with first-team football and it was amazing, it was amazing to watch how easily he slotted in.”
One of Spurs’ other reported targets is Norwich City’s Max Aarons, who has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water.
However, Ferguson has actually outshone the 20-year-old defensively when comparing their two maiden campaigns.
The Baggies starlet is averaging more tackles (2.4) and clearances (1.7) than Aarons did during the 2018/19 season and is also proving to be more of a threat in the air, winning 1.1 more aerial duels per game. In addition, he’s recorded more dribbles and long balls per game, too.
For just £4m, Daniel Levy could be able to nab himself and Spurs quite the steal.
What do you think? Should Spurs go for Ferguson or is Aarons a better option?