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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to Express & Star, contract talks between West Brom and defender Nathan Ferguson are progressing.
What’s the word?
West Brom have started the season like a house on fire, going unbeaten in their eight matches which has seen them rise to fourth in the table – just one point off league leaders Leeds United and Swansea City.
Slaven Bilic has given some of the club’s promising youngsters the chance to feature this season with Kyle Edwards and Ferguson both playing in seven matches each.
The performances of the versatile 18-year-old, in particular, have stood out having picked up the Man of the Match award in his senior debut live in front of the TV cameras.
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Ferguson has since attracted the interest from the top-flight as The Sun on Sunday (22/09, p. 61) suggest that Crystal Palace have been lurking around the Baggies’ young prospect.
The Eagles have a clear void at right-back after the £50m departure of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United in the summer and they weren’t able to find a replacement for him either meaning Joel Ward is their only option in that role.
Though, this week further reports have claimed that Ferguson is close to agreeing to a new long-term deal to remain at the Hawthorns which would be a massive boost towards their intentions of returning to the promised land.
Bilic’s influence
It may also be a sign of the impact their Croatian has had in the west Midlands.
Winger Matty Phillips has already signed a three-year contract extension this season, citing Bilic as the key reason why, so it isn’t out of the realms of possibility to suggest that the same is happening here, especially considering the Croat gave Ferguson his debut.
The 18-year-old may well have ambitions to play in the Premier League but the Baggies will be hoping they can achieve that in the years to come.
After all, it’s something that’s been touched on by the club.
Bilic signed a two-year deal when taking over as Albion boss in the summer, and that’s the timeframe sporting and technical director Luke Dowling has put on their return to the top-flight.
Therefore, it wouldn’t be a coincidence to see Ferguson potentially extend his time at the Hawthorns until at least the end of next season. He’s already flourishing under Albion’s new coach.
