Manchester United may have to spend a large transfer fee to capture Brighton striker Evan Ferguson next summer.

Ferguson signed a new contract with Brighton earlier this month until 2029, and according to The Athletic, the new deal does not include a release clause. That means there will be no set transfer cost to entice him away, thereby safeguarding the Seagulls and allowing them to demand whatever they want.

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Manchester United have been heavily connected with Ferguson due to a lack of depth up front, with only Anthony Martial as an alternative to 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund. The Republic of Ireland international, 19, scored a hat-trick in 42 minutes against Newcastle in early September and is expected to become one of the Premier League’s finest scorers in the coming seasons. Ferguson’s new deal is his second in as many months, as Brighton works hard to stay up with his rising star. Despite being under no obligation to sell, the Seagulls managed to wheedle a British record £115 million ($144m) from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo.

Feguson has claimed to being a Manchester United fan as a child living up near Dublin: “I supported United as a boy.” There were [Wayne] Rooneys, [Dimitar] Berbatovs, and, of course, Danny Welbeck. They’ve always had success with the striker.”

Ferguson has five Premier League goals in 11 games this season, one short of matching his total from his breakout season in 2022-23. A realistic goal would be to finish the season with at least ten goals in the league and possibly be Brighton’s top scorer in all competitions.