Arsenal struggle to sign Evan Ferguson due to bizarre Premier League rule: ‘What happened?’

Brighton striker Evan Ferguson is a potential target for Arsenal – but only if they can offload a failed player first.

Ferguson joined the Seagulls in 2021 and enjoyed a breakthrough season a year later. But he has endured a difficult two years, including a 33-game goalless run that finally ended last October.

Despite Ferguson’s recent decline in front of goal, he is still seen by Brighton as a potential star. And recent comments from manager Fabian Hurzeler appear to suggest the club could be open to letting him leave on loan.

Arsenal are in desperate need of new attacking players following injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka. And according to GiveMeSport journalist Ben Jacobs, the Gunners are interested in a move for Ferguson.

But Arsenal run out of Premier League loan slots due to Neto’s arrivalBut Arsenal run out of Premier League loan slots due to Neto’s arrival

But they can only do so if they sell goalkeeper Neto, who is currently on loan from Bournemouth. The Brazilian joined the Gunners on transfer deadline day in August as back-up to David Raya.

The move has proved disastrous – but not for the goalkeeper’s on-field contributions. Neto has yet to play a minute in the Premier League and has no cup football after appearing in the League Cup for Bournemouth earlier this season.

The 35-year-old is occupying a loan slot in Arsenal’s squad. Top-flight clubs are only allowed to have two Premier League players on loan from the same league at any one time. The Gunners currently have Raheem Sterling, on loan from Chelsea, and Neto as their two homegrown loanees.

So, they need to let Neto go to be able to register Ferguson on loan. And Arsenal need to be quick because Ferguson has been linked with a move to West Ham or Leicester this January.