Evan Ferguson’s AS Roma Struggles Prompt Loan Reassessment

Evan Ferguson’s loan spell at AS Roma has not unfolded as anticipated, raising concerns about his future with the club. The young Irish striker joined Roma in the summer, hoping to revitalize his career after facing challenges at Brighton. Following a promising start, Ferguson has struggled to find the net, which has led to speculation about his immediate prospects in Italy.

The transition to Roma was expected to be a perfect fit for Ferguson, especially under the guidance of manager Gian Piero Gasperini, known for his ability to develop strikers. After a couple of injury-plagued seasons that hindered his growth since his impressive debut in the Premier League at just 18, the move to Italy seemed like an ideal opportunity for a fresh start.

Initially, Ferguson appeared to adapt well during pre-season, quickly integrating into the team’s strategy. He earned the starting position over Ukrainian international Artem Dovbyk in several early matches of the Serie A season, signaling optimism about his contributions. However, as of now, he has yet to score in a competitive match for Roma, while Dovbyk has managed only one goal.

Following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, Gasperini remarked that Ferguson is “perhaps paying the price for his long inactivity and goal drought.” This lack of offensive output has prompted discussions about the potential need for Roma to reassess their attacking options, including the possibility of parting ways with Ferguson.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there are indications that Roma may seek to terminate Ferguson’s loan prematurely, opting not to activate the €40 million buy option for the 21-year-old. The club is also reportedly considering moving on from Dovbyk. In their search for alternatives, Roma has set its sights on two Premier League prospects: Joshua Zirkzee and Arnaud Kalimuendo.

Zirkzee, having fallen out of favor at Manchester United with the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, is reportedly eyeing a January transfer as he looks to secure playing time before the World Cup next summer. Meanwhile, Kalimuendo, who joined Nottingham Forest for €30 million from Stade Rennais, has seen limited action, totaling just 137 minutes without finding the back of the net amid ongoing managerial changes at Forest.

Despite his challenges at Roma, Ferguson has been a standout performer for the Irish national team during the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. His contributions include crucial goals against Hungary and Armenia, keeping Ireland’s hopes alive for a spot in the tournament. National team coach Heimir Hallgrimsson will rely on Ferguson to find his form as they face tough matches against Portugal and Hungary in their quest for qualification.

As Ferguson navigates this turbulent period in his career, the coming weeks will be critical for both his future at AS Roma and his role with the Irish national team.