Reported Arsenal and Crystal Palace target Nathan Ferguson has left West Bromwich Albion with technical director Luke Dowling telling the club’s official website that the right-back’s departure is a ‘disappointment to everyone’.
Any Baggies fans hoping that the Birmingham-born teenager would sign a new contract before July 1 were probably kidding themselves.
The writing on the wall regarding Ferguson’s future has been clear for some time now.
Despite missing out on a £10 million move to Crystal Palace in January due to a foot problem discovered during his medical, it always felt like a matter of time before the 19-year-old was packing his bags and heading out of the Hawthorns.
Football London reported last week that both Arsenal and Tottenham had their sights firmly fixed on what could be an inspired bit of business, with one of English football’s most highly-rated youngsters now available for absolutely nothing.
“We have made what can only be considered a very attractive offer to Nathan but he intends to pursue his career elsewhere,” says a clearly dejected Dowling.
“It’s a disappointment for everyone here but it is the player’s prerogative.”
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson admitted back in February that the Eagles were likely to renew their interest in Ferguson once his contract expired (FL).
Despite the superb form of Joel Ward in recent months, Palace still need to replace the talismanic presence of Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right-hand side.
Though, with Mikel Arteta and the legendary Jose Mourinho throwing their hats into the ring, Crystal Palace could soon be rueing their decision to walk away from a January deal at the eleventh hour.
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