Slaven Bilic has been left frustrated by the departure of reported Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur target Nathan Ferguson, telling Sky Sports that the coveted right-back is irreplaceable at West Bromwich Albion.
The impending loss of one of England’s most talented teenagers must feel like an almighty slap in the face for the Baggies.
Ferguson has spent 11 years honing his talents at West Brom, joining the Midland giants at the tender age of just eight.
But, 10 months after being handed his long-awaited debut by Bilic on the opening day of the Championship season, the Birmingham-born 19-year-old is set to walk away from the Hawthorns for absolutely nothing.
West Brom confirmed this week that Ferguson has rejected the chance to sign a new contract and will be a free-agent from July 1, with Arsenal and Spurs both linked via Football London.
Irreplaceable
And Bilic is under no illusions that, from a sporting and a financial perspective, this is a bit of a disaster for the Baggies.
“To replace him, we would have to spend £15million for a full-back and we can’t spend that money on a player in that position,” fumes the former Croatia and Besiktas boss.
“We did our best (to keep him). We gave him a chance when he was extremely young. Basically, there’s no point having academies, because you can’t tie the player up for long periods until he reaches a certain age.
“The player, the agent, the parents or whatever, they just take him and that has to be changed, because we are a good club, and we can’t buy another Nathan Ferguson.”
Despite interest from bonafide English football giants in the shape of Arsenal and Spurs, it seems only a matter of time before Ferguson is being unveiled by another London-based outfit.
According to The Guardian, Crystal Palace are expected to sign a long-term target, five months after Ferguson’s £8 million move to Selhurst Park fell through due to a failed medical.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
