Life as a West Brom this season has been nothing short of fantastic, yet some aspects could be improved upon, namely the future of teenage defender Nathan Ferguson.
The 19-year-old has been a revelation of sorts at the Hawthorns this season, playing well over 1,000 minutes of Championship football under Slaven Bilic already as stats from Transfermarkt show and being called up to England’s U-20 side over the recent international break.
Yet despite putting in a string of impressive performances and making his first steps into international football with the Young Lions, Ferguson’s future has been a hot-button issue of late with The Express and Star recently reporting that there are growing concerns that the young defender could be set to leave the club for as little as £300,000 due to FIFA compensation tariffs.
What should West Brom do about Ferguson's contract situation?Offer him another long-term dealSell him on to a Premier League club in January |
Indeed, there is growing support that if West Brom are unable to commit Ferguson to a new long-term deal then the club are well within their right to sell the teenage defender in the January transfer window, with The Daily Mail reporting that the likes of Crystal Palace and Tottenham are interested in the England youth international.
With The Express and Star report claiming that contract talks between Ferguson and the club have cooled significantly since the versatile defender was offered a new deal in September, West Brom have to start playing hardball with the youngster before it becomes too late for Bilic’s side.
The 19-year-old defender has been one of the breakout stars of the season in the Championship, and West Brom will be kicking themselves if they are either unable to secure Ferguson’s future with the Baggies or move on the promising teenager for a significant transfer fee.
Ferguson has been somewhat of a revelation for the Albion this season, but his future is something the club need to get serious about with the January transfer window on the horizon and Premier League clubs eyeing up the 19-year-old defender.