We live in unbelievable times. Moises Caicedo, a defensive midfielder with 45 Premier League appearances, is set to break the British transfer record any hour now when he agrees a contract with a fee in the range of €130 million with Chelsea. It's the latest major haul for Brighton and owner Tony Bloom, who've offloaded the likes of Marc Cucurella, Alexis Mac Allister and Yves Bissoumsa to big-spending Premier League clubs in the past 12 months.
Enzo Fernandez's record move to Chelsea earlier in the year seems to have transformed the transfer market.
The Caicedo bidding war has many fans naturally wondering about the price tag for young Meathman Evan Ferguson when he is eventually sold on. Ferguson is patently one of Europe's most exciting young footballers. He proved again on Saturday that he can score goals, and has been touted by the likes of Gary Lineker as an ideal replacement for Harry Kane at Spurs.
Ferguson signed a new contract to stay at the Amex last season but there's growing speculation from football insiders that Ferguson will break the Premier League's transfer record whenever he does move.
Brighton's exceptional trading shows no signs of stopping. Club believe they already have the next British record transfer brewing in Evan Ferguson - and for good reason.
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) August 13, 2023
It must, of course, be noted that nothing is certain, and we should not get ahead of ourselves with any of this. But Ferguson's obvious potential, his highly professional attitude and his role in a Brighton squad that remains one of the most exciting in the Premier League, positions him perfectly.
Evan Ferguson sell-on fee: how Bohs would benefit
Brighton's incredible knack for turning big profits on transfers would also transform the League of Ireland.
It's believed that a sell-on clause was included by Bohemians when they sold Ferguson to Brighton in 2021.
While we don't know the exact sell-on clause, online speculation places the Evan Ferguson sell-on fee anywhere between 10 - 15%, which is standard in football accountancy.
Whatever the actual percentage is, were Ferguson to move for a fee of €100m, Bohs would stand to receive €10m if 10% clause were in place. That sum that would radically transform their place in the League of Ireland.
When Matt Doherty moved from Wolves to Spurs in 2020, the Phibsborough club received 10% of the transfer fee, which ended up at around €14.7m.
In the Caicedo economy, a Ferguson sale would likely bring at least 10 times that to Dalymount.
Bohs fans on social media have taken the news with the calmness you'd expect.
https://t.co/EKWigZlkiY pic.twitter.com/msd4LuLddi
— bohs_fp (@bohsfp) August 13, 2023
Lots of talk about Evan Ferguson money but no talk of what the members plan to do with their share
Myself, the boiler is in need of replacing and I'll maybe book a week away all-inclusive somewhere too— Gary Keating (@garytweating) August 14, 2023
The Bohemian Football Clubpic.twitter.com/RAima6I8Xq https://t.co/jQ7heRb2rz
— Jake 🇮🇪 (@whenitjakes) August 13, 2023
Dan Lambert with the Billionaire Premier League team owners once Ferguson gets sold pic.twitter.com/kGpHCUcffE
— Sir Declan McDaid G.U. (@lleeaannnnnn) August 14, 2023
Sell-on clauses are standard for all Irish clubs these days, and not just for teams in the League of Ireland Premier Division. It's been reported that Ringmahon Rangers have a 20% sell-on clause should Caoimhín Kelleher leave Liverpool on his current contract.
There's still an awful long way to go, and so much can change in football. But it's clear that a potential Evan Ferguson transfer would have a seismic effect on Bohs and the League of Ireland. As they say, watch this space.
