German champions Bayer Leverkusen are close to clinching the loan signing of Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson but first will have to move on striker Victor Boniface to make room for him in their squad.

Arsenal’s search for a new striker in the current transfer window has taken a new twist after Brighton reportedly made Evan Ferguson available for a permanent sale. The Gunners have already been linked to a host of forward targets, with Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the rest of the season and Bukayo Sako set to be sidelined until early March.

Brighton & Hove Albion are prepared to allow Evan Ferguson to depart the club permanently in the January transfer window. The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland international has attracted widespread loan interest from Premier League rivals and top-flight clubs abroad,