‘He will’ – Fabian Hurzeler makes surprise Evan Ferguson claim after Roma loan fee and buy option agreed

In a dramatic twist to what had previously been reported as a straightforward development loan, Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hürzeler has made a surprise revelation regarding Evan Ferguson’s future following the Irish striker’s now-confirmed move to AS Roma.

Just days after Ferguson arrived in Rome to complete his medical and was welcomed like a hero by Giallorossi fans, reports from both the UK and Italy indicate that Roma’s loan deal includes an option to buy — contrary to earlier claims that Brighton were unwilling to include any such clause. Even more surprisingly, Hürzeler himself has now spoken openly about Ferguson’s long-term trajectory in a candid interview with BBC Sport, saying: “He will return here — I have no doubts.”

This unexpected clarity from the Brighton boss appears to contradict the nature of the buy option itself, sparking intrigue and speculation from both fanbases, and raising the question: if Roma can buy him, why is Hürzeler so confident he’ll come back?

This is the full story behind a transfer twist that’s gripping the south coast of England and the heart of the Italian capital.

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Ferguson to Roma: Loan Deal Details Emerge

After completing his season-long loan move to Roma on July 19, Ferguson was unveiled by the Serie A club in a media-rich presentation at Trigoria. Initial reports suggested that Brighton had resisted any buy clause, a move consistent with their approach to long-term assets. However, sources close to the negotiations have now confirmed that the deal contains:

• A loan fee of €5 million (£4.2m) paid upfront by Roma to Brighton.
• An option to buy Ferguson permanently for €35 million (£29.5m) at the end of the 2025–26 season.
• No obligation to buy, meaning Roma can walk away if they choose.
• No buy-back clause or future sell-on restriction from Brighton, which is unusual given their usual strategy of retaining control over talents.

These revelations have prompted widespread questioning of Brighton’s motives, given that Ferguson, just 20 years old, was once tipped as a potential £70 million striker.

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Hürzeler’s Declaration: “He Will Return”

Amid the growing noise, Fabian Hürzeler’s comments have added both fuel to the fire and a curious note of certainty. Speaking to reporters during Brighton’s pre-season training in Portugal, Hürzeler was asked directly whether he feared losing Ferguson permanently. His answer stunned many:

“He will return. That’s not just hope — that’s expectation. I’ve spoken to Evan. We see this move as part of a bigger plan. He knows this. Roma know this. It’s written in the spirit of the deal, even if not on paper.”

The phrase “written in the spirit of the deal” has caught attention, implying that informal agreements or understandings between the clubs — or between Ferguson and Brighton — are shaping how the deal is viewed internally.

Hürzeler added:

“Evan has the talent to become one of the best strikers in Europe. What he needs now is rhythm, freedom, responsibility — and Roma will give him that. But I believe his story with Brighton is far from over.”

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Behind the Scenes: Why Brighton Included the Buy Option

Brighton fans are understandably concerned by the revelation of a buy option, which appears to contradict the club’s usual player-retention policy when it comes to top young talent. However, insiders at the Amex Stadium have painted a more nuanced picture.

According to sources within Brighton’s hierarchy, Ferguson himself requested the option be included, albeit in a manner that provides Roma with flexibility rather than obligation. After a stop-start season in 2024–25 marked by injuries and squad rotation, Ferguson wanted full autonomy over his future — including a potential permanent stay at Roma if he thrives.

Moreover, Brighton’s new Sporting Director, appointed in June following the departure of David Weir, is believed to favor flexibility over rigidity in player transactions. Including a buy clause was seen as a gesture of goodwill toward Ferguson and his representatives, preserving the club’s reputation as a place that respects player aspirations.

One senior club source told The Athletic:

“This is not about Brighton giving up on Evan. It’s about empowering him to find his best self. If that ends in Rome, so be it. But we believe he’ll want to come back — and that’s what Fabian is betting on.”

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Ferguson’s Perspective: A Door Left Open

Publicly, Ferguson has remained diplomatic. In his first interview as a Roma player, the Ireland international said:

“This is a huge step for me, and I’m grateful to Brighton for understanding why I wanted this. I needed a challenge. But my time at Brighton has been brilliant, and who knows what comes next? I’m just focusing on the football.”

Privately, Ferguson is said to still feel a strong emotional connection to Brighton, a club that gave him his Premier League debut at 17 and where he formed close bonds with several teammates. But like many young players eager to break through consistently, he was reportedly frustrated by inconsistent playing time and tactical changes under Brighton’s succession of coaches post-De Zerbi.

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Roma’s Side of the Deal: Steal or Strategic Bet?

In Rome, Ferguson’s arrival has been greeted with fanfare, but also caution. With Tammy Abraham recovering from knee surgery, Romelu Lukaku entering the final year of his contract, and manager Daniele De Rossi seeking to lower the average age of his attacking unit, Ferguson is viewed as both a project and a solution.

De Rossi, who played a central role in convincing Ferguson to join, reportedly insisted on the buy clause as a statement of intent — a way to demonstrate that Roma is not just a training ground for English prospects but a destination for long-term stars.

Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport ran the headline: “Ferguson, la nuova stella?” — “Ferguson, the new star?” — while Corriere dello Sport claimed Roma had made “one of the most intelligent deals of the window.”

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Fans React: Division Among Seagulls Supporters

Brighton supporters are split. On platforms like X and Reddit, some fans expressed dismay that the club would allow a potentially world-class striker to leave — even temporarily — with an exit clause.

“We just handed Roma a bargain and waved goodbye to our best forward,” wrote one frustrated user.

Others took Hürzeler’s comments as a sign of deeper strategy.

“Ferguson’s coming back stronger. Fabian’s building something and this is just part of it,” wrote another.

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Brighton’s Forward Plan Without Ferguson

With Ferguson gone, Brighton are expected to rely on a mix of João Pedro, Deniz Undav (back from loan at Stuttgart), and new Swedish signing Benjamin Nygren in the forward line. Hürzeler has also experimented in pre-season with Facundo Buonanotte as a false nine, showcasing his desire for tactical versatility.

The club is also rumored to be pursuing Serhou Guirassy, the Guinean striker who lit up the Bundesliga last season, though competition for his signature is fierce.

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What Happens If Roma Buy Him?

If Roma decide to trigger the €35 million option next summer, Ferguson will officially become a Giallorossi player in July 2026. Brighton would be powerless to prevent the transfer under the current terms.

This has led to calls from pundits for Brighton to negotiate a buy-back clause in case Ferguson explodes in Italy. As it stands, however, the club has no such clause — and could find themselves needing to buy him back at double the price in future years.

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Hürzeler’s Confidence: Naïve or Brilliant?

Fabian Hürzeler’s insistence that Ferguson will return to Brighton may strike some as overly optimistic, especially in a cutthroat transfer market. But others view it as a masterstroke of man management.

The German tactician is said to maintain weekly one-on-one check-ins with all players — including loanees — and has built a strong rapport with Ferguson.

“He’s not just a coach — he’s a mentor,” said a Brighton player who asked to remain anonymous. “When he tells you ‘you’ll come back,’ you believe him. That’s who he is.”

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Conclusion: A Delicate Gamble With High Stakes

Evan Ferguson’s loan to Roma, now confirmed to include a buy clause, is one of the most intriguing deals of the summer. It’s a move filled with possibilities: breakout success in Serie A, a permanent move abroad, or a triumphant return to the Premier League.

For Brighton, it’s a calculated risk wrapped in optimism. For Roma, it’s a low-risk, high-reward acquisition. And for Ferguson, it’s a pivotal chapter in a career that promises brilliance.

Fabian Hürzeler’s words — “He will return” — may seem bold today, but in 12 months’ time, they will either look prophetic or naive.

Either way, the footballing world will be watching — closely.