West Ham legend Frank McAvennie has urged the club to consider signing Scottish wonderkid Lewis Ferguson from Aberdeen.
The former West Ham striker is still concerned about Chelsea’s reported interest in star player Declan Rice. The Blues were reported to have turned their attentions to Jude Bellingham due to Rice’s price-tag, which will have increased after his maiden England goal.
Rice is a crucial part of David Moyes side and is very much loved by the West Ham faithful. The Englishman has made over 100 Premier League appearances for the Hammers since his breakthrough under former manager Slaven Bilic.
Talking to the Football Insider Frank McAvennie has identified the player that the Hammers should target should Declan Rice leave the club. The striker believes that Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson would be an astute signing and could be ready to fill the hole should Rice leave.
McAvennie would prefer Rice to stay at the London Stadium but did say that Ferguson would be the ‘ideal replacement’ for Rice. The 60-year-old suggested that the midfielder is ready for the Premier League and that a move south of the border would only benefit him.
"“I do not want Declan to leave but I would not be annoyed if Lewis Ferguson took his place. I would love to see him at West Ham because he is a fantastic player.“I do not want Declan Rice to leave but if he was I think Ferguson would be the ideal replacement for him. There has been so much talk about Declan and if he was to go I think the boy Ferguson is ready for the Premier League.“He is only young and he is a good, tidy player. It is an eye-opener going to England but it would only benefit him.”McAvennie told Football Insider"
Ferguson is a standout player in the Scottish Premier League, this season the 21-year-old has excelled in the midfield. For Aberdeen, Ferguson has played twelve games and scored eight goals and provided two assists. The Scot has already smashed his stats from last season showing that he is improving year on year.
Currently valued at £1.35 million on transfermarkt.com, Ferguson would cost the Hammers a snip of what they could sell Rice for. Should the Englishman be sold to Chelsea, the club would expect to pocket a fee in the region of £65-£80 million. The Hammers could then potentially sign Ferguson for ten per cent of the Rice fee.
Everyone involved with West Ham would prefer to keep Rice at the club. But should the day come when a bigger club comes calling it would be expected that the young star would leave to challenge at the top of the game. The good news is that there are some quality players out there that the club could target.