Reports linking West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus with Arsenal appear to be intensifying, with the Gunners looking like the frontrunners for the Ghanaian’s signature.
Kudus has been far from his best this campaign compared to last season’s extraordinary start to his Hammers career.
Much of his early poor form could be attributed to playing out of position on the left-hand side of midfield. Then there was the very public falling out with West Ham gaffer Julen Lopetegui and, of course, the five-match ban picked up against Tottenham for violent conduct.
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Whatever the reason for the wideman’s dip in form, it is clear that he is not himself this season. However, it should be remembered that Kudus is a top-class operator, and the club need to do everything possible to keep him.
Arsenal are reportedly keen to pay the £85m buyout clause fee for the player as early as January, which falls outside of the clause agreement period.
In short, West Ham can reject any offer from Arsenal made before June 2025, and we should certainly look to do so. With Julen Lopetegui’s future looking increasingly uncertain, who is to say that a new coach won’t come into the club and start to get the best out of Kudus?
Were Kudus to move to North London, he could well find himself playing in his unfavoured position on the left of midfield anyway. Bukayo Saka has five goals and ten assists in 14 league games this season and won’t be moving off the Gunners’ right flank anytime soon.
The 24-year-old former Ajax man might be better served waiting to see what happens with Mo Salah at Liverpool rather than joining Declan Rice at Arsenal. Whatever the outcome, West Ham must bide their time and keep hold of Kudus. You never know—Father Christmas might bring a new Hammers coach over the festive period!