Manchester City monitoring Premier League striker with view towards partnering alongside Erling Haaland

Etihad officials are currently monitoring the performances and development of Brighton & Hove Albion striking sensation Evan Ferguson, according to a new report.

The teenager has risen to the very forefront of the Premier League’s attention in recent days having recorded his first ever club career hat-trick during an impressive 3-1 home league victory over Newcastle United earlier this month.

Ferguson places himself among some of the division’s most iconic names as a result, having become the fourth player to achieve this feat at 18-years-old, alongside Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, and Chris Bart-Williams.

However, and perhaps unsurprisingly, Brighton & Hove Albion face a strong test of their negotiating powers if they are to retain the services of the player beyond even the conclusion of the ongoing season, with Ferguson now attracting interest from some of England’s most powerful clubs.

According to the information of The I’s Mark Douglas, Manchester City now ‘want to buy’ Brighton’s breakthrough striking sensation to play alongside Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland at the Etihad Stadium.

It is claimed that City are among a number of Premier League clubs monitoring Evan Ferguson following his hugely impressive start to the ongoing season.

The 18-year-old’s impact has reportedly sparked interest from “nearly every one” of the Premier League‘s Champions League contenders, a recruitment executive is quoted as saying within Douglas’ report.

Manchester City are known to be keen on planning transfer business years in advance, and while the club remain confident of securing a fresh contract extension with Erling Haaland and his representatives, they will almost certainly not be against signing further in his role.

City also have Argentina’s World Cup-winning striker Julian Alvarez in their ranks at present, and the young forward has shown no signs of slowing in his own development and secured himself a brand new improved deal from Etihad officials less than 12 months into his Premier League career.

It is further understood that City still have some hopes of seeing Liam Delap develop into a formidable option in the striking role, with the England youth international currently out on-loan at Championship side Hull City after a somewhat challenging start to life in senior men’s football with Stoke City last season.