Manchester City have now reportedly set their sights on a potential successor for Erling Haaland.
The Citizens are monitoring Brighton Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson, viewing him as either support or a succession plan for the Norwegian, according to iNews.
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After ending last season on top of the scoring chart with 36 Premier League goals, Haaland has made a blistering start to the 2023/24 campaign, finding the back of the net six times in just four EPL games.
His elite performances have, however, attracted the eyes of potential suitors.
Reports suggest that City are fearful of having their talisman lured away from the Etihad to join the likes of clubs in the Saudi Pro League or Real Madrid, who are believed to be looking at signing Haaland should they fail to land Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe's signature next year.
As such, the Manchester side is said to want to extend the Norwegian's contract to 2028, in a new deal that would see him earn £600 000 (R14.5 million) a week and make him the highest-paid player in the English top flight.
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As a contingency, City have seemingly turned their attention to Ferguson. The Irishman broke into Brighton's first team last year and impressed as he scored six goals in 19 league games.
This season, the teenage forward has already scored four goals in as many appearances, including a hat-trick that helped his side to a 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.
Still only 18 years of age, Ferguson is considered by many to be one of the brightest emerging talents in the UK, and as a result, the Seagulls are believed to be ready to slap a hefty price tag of £150 million (R3.6 billion) on the striker.
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As things stand, the Citizens themselves have no problems scoring goals, having struck 11 times in four EPL matches this season, and conceding only twice.
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