Mohammed Kudus (L), David Sullivan (M) and Mikel Arteta (R)
Mohammed Kudus (L), David Sullivan (M) and Mikel Arteta (R)
A journalist has shared some exciting West Ham transfer news ahead of the January window but it could be Arsenal that pays for it.
Exclusive with Graeme Bailey
West Ham fully intend to sign a new striker in January, it has been revealed to Hammers News.
But that could directly benefit Arsenal – because they will likely be the ones who make it happen.
That’s according to journalist Graeme Bailey.
When the Hammers signed Mohammed Kudus from Ajax for £38.5m, they actually beat Arsenal, Brighton and Chelsea to his signature.
There was no lack of irony to the signing of Kudus either.
Because it was the £105m West Ham received from the Gunners for Declan Rice which made the deal possible.
That transaction also put Kudus out of Arsenal’s reach in terms of finances at the time.
Now there could be another rather ironic twist – but one which has a big upside for both West Ham and Arsenal.
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Kudus is undoubtedly the Hammers’ most gifted individual talent.
The 24-year-old is unplayable at his best. Kudus has been nominated for the 2024 Puskas award for the goal above.
But West Ham’s star boy has stagnated under Julen Lopetegui – one of the big reasons Hammers fans are so frustrated with their beleaguered boss.
Kudus made it clear when Lopetegui arrived that he prefers to play centrally.
That’s where Hammers fans want to see him deployed. At the very least he should be playing off the right, where he can cut in on his left foot.
Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United and Julen Lopetegui West Ham Head Coach during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Ipswich To...
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Exciting West Ham transfer news but Arsenal could pay for it
Instead Lopetegui continually plays him out of position on the left.
The Ghanian is also one of the hardest working players in the Premier League.
Last season Kudus won the ball back more than any other player in the top flight bar defensive midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
This season he was in the top 10 too.
So it stands to reason that he took exception to being accused of not playing for the team by Lopetegui at half-time of a draw at Brentford.
A massive bust-up ensued and Kudus was subbed off at half-time.
A few weeks later Kudus had complete head loss, being sent off at Spurs and banned for five games.
Frosty relations between Kudus and Lopetegui were clear for all to see when he was subbed off against Wolves on Monday night.
All the while talk of a move to Arsenal has been ramping up – just like it did with Rice before him.
A report at the weekend also claimed Kudus is one of five West Ham stars demanding to leave if Lopetegui isn’t sacked.
Hammers majority owner David Sullivan is powerless to stop Kudus joining Arsenal in the summer.
The attacker has an £85m release clause active in July.
But he might be signing for the Gunners before that as Sullivan’s desire to sign a new striker is confirmed.
There’s exciting West Ham transfer news but Arsenal could pay for it as Kudus rumblings grow louder.
Former Sky Sports journalist Bailey has strong connections across the game.
Mohammed Kudus (L), David Sullivan (M) and Mikel Arteta (R)
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Kudus to Arsenal in January could pay for new West Ham striker
He has told Hammers News that West Ham selling Kudus to Arsenal in January is ‘one to watch’.
Because the club are determined to sign a new striker but are tight on PSR in doing so.
He states the Hammers are not immune to the kind of enforced sales seen at the likes of Newcastle and Villa.
“West Ham are up against it PSR wise, but they have a real desire to bolster their forward line due to the lack of impact from Niclas Fullkrug and Luis Guilherme and the unfortunate loss of Michail Antonio,” Bailey told Hammers News.
“Like with many clubs in the Premier League such as Aston Villa and Newcastle, sometimes a sale to bolster the squad is required and Kudus is one of the clubs most saleble assets.
“There is interest in Kudus, we know that with Arsenal long-term admirers and they are certainly in the market for forward options but they are not alone.
“I am told Kudus is one to keep an eye on heading into 2025.”
No future in Kudus and Lopetegui relationship at West Ham
Immediately after his bust-up with Lopetegui, Kudus was pictured at the Emirates watching Arsenal.
That obviously sparked rumours a move could be in the pipeline.
Now it seems that could well have legs according to Bailey.
Much will depend on whether West Ham can identify a quality forward and be confident of signing him before they are willing to consider letting Kudus leave earlier than anticipated.
One thing is for certain there is no long-term future in the player’s relationship with the manager.
If Lopetegui is sacked then it may be the new man would prefer to keep Kudus until the summer without signing a new forward.
So the situation will become a lot clearer as we head into the winter window.
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graeme baileyJulen LopeteguiMohammed KudusPremier League