"If I’m his agent I’m saying" - Joe Cole urges Arsenal target to snub Emirates move and join London rivals 

Former West Ham United forward Joe Cole has urged Evan Ferguson to join his former club over Arsenal. He believes the Irish striker needs regular playing time and he will get it with the Hammers.

Ferguson was widely regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in world football when he broke through Brighton & Hove Albion's academy. However, his injury and form issues have seen him fall in the pecking order. He is behind the likes of Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro at the Seagulls.

Hence, multiple reports have suggested that he could leave Brighton this January on loan for regular playing time. Numerous clubs have been linked with signing him, including Arsenal. Joe Cole, however, believes Ferguson should join West Ham instead.

"What’s the likelihood of West Ham outbidding Arsenal?" Cole was asked (via Metro)

"Listen, if I’m his agent I’m saying to him go to West Ham," he answered. "You’re not going to get into the Brighton team. You’re going to take a step up and play, you need games, you’re a young kid you need games, come and play for West Ham, it hasn’t worked for Fullkrug yet, go there."

Arsenal have struggled in the goalscoring department this season, with their main striker Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz failing to impress. Jesus has scored just three goals in 17 league games while Havertz has scored seven in 17 games.

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Pundit believes Arsenal target Evan Ferguson will be a great signing for West Ham

Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Evan Ferguson will be a great signing for West Ham, especially under Graham Potter. The Hammers recently sacked Julen Lopetegui and appointed Potter as their new manager.

Robinson hailed Potter's ability to develop players, telling Football Insider:

"Graham Potter is a builder, not a fireman, he wants time. He wants time to build his squad. You see what he’s done in previous jobs, he’s built Brighton, he builds a team, he builds a squad and it takes time. He’s not somebody who comes in in six months and turns the club around immediately.

“He evolves players, look at where he was was when he took over Brighton and look where he took them. Evan Ferguson would be a great option for them, whether Brighton would be willing to do a deal or not would be another thing. West Ham have to get a striker in this window, whoever it is.”

Antonio, Fullkrug, and Bowen are all out injured for West Ham so Ferguson is likely to get a lot of playing time if he joins them. The 20-year-old has scored just one goal in 14 appearances across competitions this season.