Manchester United have less than 12 months to prepare for dream transfer mission

There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Premier League clubs knocking on Brighton & Hove Albion's door in pursuit of red-hot talent.

Just a year after they were forced into saying farewell to Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma, the Seagulls sanctioned the exits of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo in the most recent transfer window. Though Brighton are the experts of discovering hidden talent, they sometimes struggle to retain it.

It is why some Seagulls supporters may already be dreading the next summer transfer window and the prospect of losing striker Evan Ferguson. The 18-year-old is quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting prospects in the Premier League and big-name clubs are already queuing up for his signature.

Manchester United, who will resume their Premier League campaign at home to the Seagulls this coming weekend, are expected to position themselves within the queue having already been monitoring the Republic of Ireland international. Sources believe that Ferguson could leave the Amex Stadium next summer, despite signing a new contract not all that long ago.

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Though Ferguson is only 18, his stock is rising at a rapid rate of knots. He already has ten Premier League goals to his name, four of which have been plundered inside the opening four games of this season.

Fronting an exciting Brighton attack, Ferguson's value increased even further just under a fortnight ago when he plundered an impressive hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Newcastle United. He now has 14 goals in just 33 first-team appearances for the club. It is a record that you can't ignore.

The Irishman, who will turn 19 next month,