Arsenal’s pursuit of Mohammed Kudus could face serious competition from Newcastle United, with reports suggesting the Magpies are eyeing the West Ham winger in a deal that could break their transfer record.
Kudus, who moved to the London Stadium for £38m from Ajax just 16 months ago, has been valued at £90m by the Hammers. This hefty price tag reflects his outstanding performances since arriving in the Premier League and the £85m release clause set to become active in the summer.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United clashes with Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur and is subsequently shown a Red card during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Arsenal, long-time admirers of Kudus, have been linked with the Ghanaian midfielder as part of a strategy to strengthen their attacking options. Earlier reports suggested Kudus could potentially replace Leandro Trossard, should the Belgian depart.
Trossard has drawn interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, who were rebuffed with a bid in the summer but are expected to return with an improved £40m offer. Despite this, Arsenal are reportedly in talks to extend Trossard’s deal, which could complicate any plans for Kudus.
Meanwhile, Newcastle face their own hurdles in pursuing Kudus. The Magpies would need to offload players to fund the transfer, with Miguel Almiron seen as a prime candidate for departure. Kudus’ arrival at St. James’ Park would eclipse Newcastle’s previous transfer record, set when they paid £63m for Alexander Isak in 2022.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St James' Park on November 02, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Liverpool, another potential suitor, add further intrigue to the transfer saga. Assistant manager Johnny Heitinga, who worked with Kudus at Ajax and later at West Ham, could leverage his relationship to bring the dynamic winger to Anfield. The Reds’ attacking depth and Kudus’ ability to play across multiple forward positions make him a tempting prospect for Arne Slott’s side.
For Arsenal, signing Kudus would send a strong signal of intent. At just 24 years old, the Ghana international offers a rare combination of flair, versatility, and a proven track record in two of Europe’s most demanding leagues.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal that was later disallowed during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at London Stadium on December 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
With his ability to play on either wing, as a central attacking midfielder, or even as a false nine, Kudus fits the mould of a Mikel Arteta player: intelligent, hardworking, and tactically flexible.
However, West Ham’s steep valuation and the crowded field of competitors mean Arsenal would need to act decisively. A potential departure for Trossard could accelerate their pursuit of Kudus, but only if all parties align. For now, the race for Kudus remains a tantalising prospect for fans and a complex equation for the clubs involved.
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