19-year-old striker worth €65 million that had trials at Liverpool signs new contract

Evan Ferguson has signed a new contract with Brighton, putting an end to any speculation that he might join Liverpool.

Premier League big shots that have been sniffing around the latest hot talent at Brighton have been hit with a blow as the Seagulls announce a contract that will keep the 19-year-old at the AMEX Stadium until 2028.

They announced the new deal this morning with manager Roberto De Zerbi telling the club's official website: “Evan deserves this new contract and he has a very big future ahead of him.”

He has five Premier League goals with three of them scored against Newcastle United in a 3-1 win in September.

Transfermarkt values him at €65 million (£56.8m) - more proof of how highly-rated he is. In March 2023, his value was set at around €10 million (£8.7m).

Liverpool will have been keeping a close eye on the striker ever since he trialed with the Reds before deciding to take his services elsewhere.

Explaining his decision to not take the Merseyside route, he told the Athletic in 2022 that he didn't want to battle his way to a starting role at a big club.

He said: “I went to Liverpool a few times. It’s a good club, but you see so many boys at Liverpool just fading away and there’s no chance to get in the first team.

“I was thinking, ‘Do I just want to play two years of under-18s and then go to the 23s and go from there to where?’

“Brighton is a good club. The people working around are always there to help.”

Speaking to Sussex Live, Ferguson revealed why Brighton was a his preferred choice, saying : "I think I always knew them (Brighton). As soon as they were in the Premier League (in 2017) you could see them and you could see what they were trying to do.

“When I came over they were definitely the team I wanted to join. I used to come over to all the clubs with my dad. He had a clue about what was going on so I think he was key."