Ireland strikers Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott emerge as January targets 

MAKING MOVES?: Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland is replaced by Troy Parrott. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ireland’s strikeforce of Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott have both emerged as transfer targets for Fulham as the winter window ticks towards closure on February 2.

Ferguson’s loan spell at Roma appears to be in a perpetual state of doubt, raised further by the recruitment of Donyell Malen on loan from Aston Villa and Marseille striker Robinio Vaz for €25m.

Neither arrival is eligible for Thursday’s Europa League fixture against Stuttgart, increasing the likelihood of fit-again Ferguson starting, but there could be movement ahead of Sunday’s Serie visit of AC Milan.

Colourful Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini hasn’t shied away from criticising his loanee from Brighton and Hove Albion, often decrying weaknesses in his Irishman rather than offering praise. His return of five goals in 21 appearances is the ultimate metric he seems to be judged on.

Speculation about Roma cutting short his deal has been rife, with Napoli floated as one of the possible suitors.

Fulham have now emerged as a possible destination too, given their plans to lure USA international Ricardo Pepi have been complicated by the PSV striker suffering an arm injury.

Brighton are content for 21-year-old Ferguson to remain out on loan but returning to a fellow English Premier League rival wasn’t in the script. He struggled in the second half of last season while borrowed by West Ham United.

Fulham are keen to bolster their forward line and whether Parrott is an additional, rather than alternative, option is unclear.

England’s Independent on Tuesday reported the Cottagers to be among a slew of admirers willing to fork out €20m for the AZ Alkmaar striker.

He’s enjoying the best season of his career to date, his hat-trick in Wednesday’s 6-0 mauling of Ajaz swelling his goal haul to 24. That includes all five goals he provided for Ireland in November’s momentous concluding World Cup qualification wins over Portugal and Hungary.

Wolfsburg last year pushed to bring the 23-year-old to the Bundesliga and their interest has hardened on foot of his heroics that has boosted his profile across Europe.

Were both moves to materialise, it may allow Ireland’s leading strikers a dry-run in a partnership ahead of the March 26 World Cup playoff semi-final against Czechia in Prague.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa have registered interest in signing Jean-Philippe Mateta, with Crystal Palace weighing up a move for Villa’s Evann Guessand as his replacement, while Ethan Nwaneri is poised to join Marseille on loan until the end of the season, with Arsenal keen to allow the England Under-21 midfielder to depart given he has barely featured this season.