Mohammed Kudus: Contenders to sign £85m West Ham star

West Ham have been able to cultivate some stellar talent in recent years, but none has been more talented than Mohammed Kudus.

The Ghanaian international burst onto the European scene with Ajax and attracted the attention of the aristocracy. However, it appeared that the typically sophisticated Brighton were bound to bag another gem after agreeing a deal with the Dutch club, before the Hammers, who entered the negotiations with swagger from their Conference triumph Championship, they caught and got the services of Ghana. budding superstar.

Kudus was excellent in a transition-heavy team last term and has been limited to mere flashes due to a lengthy suspension under Julen Lopetegui this time around.

The 24-year-old has shown an ability to fulfill a litany of roles at a very high level, and the ease with which he has taken to the Premier League means clubs remain on red alert. Reports of an £85m release clause have got potential players considering their transfer plans for 2025, with interest in Kudus still high.

See how 90 min ranks potential Ghanaian destinations based on suitability, club needs and likelihood of deal happening.

With the 2034 World Cup officially confirmed as Saudi Arabia’s, expect the string pullers in the Gulf to start 2025 bullish on the transfer front.

So far they have managed to attract an impressive pool of European talent to their Pro League, but we are yet to see too many stars who are not past their prime opting for a Saudi adventure.

Kudus, given his talent, would be a major coup for the division. Al Ittihad were linked in the summer, and the PIF-backed clubs obviously have the cash to trigger the playmaker’s West Ham release clause.

However, the 24-year-old is definitely not ready for a European exit yet. Kudus will not be spoiled for choice if he pushes for a move out of East London, with smarter career options to be on the table.

The remaining clubs that have so far been linked with a move for Kudus are all very familiar with what the Ghanaian is capable of. Last season, St James’ Park took an early hit from Kudus’ brilliance as the playmaker scored West Ham’s the second in a 4-3 loss to the Hammers

A move to Tyneside might be a bit of a lateral move for Kudus given Newcastle’s issues over the last 18 months, but the Magpies are loaded with ambition and Kudus is the type of signing which convinces Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes to stay. in the club.

With Eddie Howe well stocked in his midfield engine room, Kudus is likely to occupy one of the flanks. Newcastle are in desperate need of an upgrade down the right, and the addition of the Ghanaian would allow Howe to deploy an absolute box forward line made up of Anthony Gordon, Isak and Kudus.

Woof.

Mohamed Salah remains an inescapable force on Liverpool’s right, but he won’t be forever.

The Reds did well to sign Federico Chiesa for a bargain in the summer, but the Italian’s fitness problems raise the question of whether he can be trusted.

You can’t replace Salah with one body, but Kudus would undoubtedly be an excellent addition to Arne Slot’s Reds. The Ghanaian could fill in down or on the flank or be positioned in goal as the Dutch #10 – providing what Dominik Szoboszlai lacks in subtlety and technical mastery.

Liverpool they are big admirers of Kudus and he seems to fit Michael Edwards’ ideal, but the Reds will not be making an £85m deal in the January transfer window.

Man City need players. They would take anyone. Also, you must be under the age of 30, ideally, and pretty good at sports, too.

Kudus is both of these things.

The Cityzens’ rebuild begins in January, and it looks like the perennial Premier League champions will turn to their current domestic rivals’ best boast as a means of speeding up their recovery.

Kudus is not a defensive machine, but he is strong athletic and City do not lack much physicality this term. While Guardiola can sideline the Ghanaian, Kudus does a lot of damage from the sort of positions Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden typically operate.

The 24-year-old player will have to change his profile a bit to succeed under Guardiola, but it cannot be denied that Kudus provides much of what the champions currently lack. In addition to his athleticism and direct ball carrying, Kudus is a distinct scoring threat. The Cityzens are in desperate need of a range of goalscorers given their recent illness amid Erling Haaland’s barren run.

City will spend big next year, and Kudus could be one of the building blocks for the next great iteration of Guardiola’s side.

At times, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are a tough watch, but they remain an excellent side still capable of winning Premier League title.

However, many are skeptical about their chances due to their inconsistent performances in attack and reliance on Bukayo Saka. Arsenal have often looked unbalanced and one-dimensional this term, but Saka’s output and set pieces have kept them in a decent enough position.

Their current crop of strikers are certainly not capable of challenging Arteta’s side for the title. They need one more. Once news broke of Kudus’ potential availability, Gooner’s ears perked up. He could be the man.

Kudus can operate from the left, but Arteta will have to change his dynamic to ensure Ghana are operating from midfield as much as possible. He can also remove Mikel Merino’s duel-winner for Kudus’ reading and craftsmanship in Arsenal’s midfield three. That Martin Odegaard and Kudus operate together will surely take the Gunners’ possession game to another level.

While a controlling seven would be compromised, the addition of Kudus would offer great balance to Arsenal and further diversify their attack. It is definitely a tempting option in January.

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