West Ham are bracing themselves for a bidding war for Mohammed Kudus.
It’s widely accepted that the Ghana international has played his last game for West Ham as rumours about an exit gather pace in the first few days of the transfer window.
The 24-year-old’s form suffered last season, with just five goals and four assists to his name, which is a significant drop-off from the 14 goals and six assists he registered in his maiden season in the capital.
The Hammers need to balance the books this summer, with PSR rules preventing another transfer window of big spending.
Kudus has an £85m release clause to Premier League clubs in his contract, but that’s only valid for the first 10 days of July and while West Ham are hopeful of achieving a sale as close as possible to that figure, Kudus’ form last season will make it very hard for them to get that in truth.
But recent reports claims West Ham will not accept anything less than £65m following rumours suggesting Tottenham’s Daniel Levy will test the club’s resolve with an opening bid of £50m.
Quartet of clubs prepare for Kudus bidding war
Mo Kudus West Ham
According to The Guardian, Chelsea and Manchester United are the most keen on securing Kudus’ services.
United need to add goals to a side which finished 14th last season with just 44 goals scored, their lowest scoring Premier League season on record. Meanwhile, Chelsea want to bolster their attacking options after deciding against making Jadon Sancho’s loan spell permanent.
Both clubs have allegedly opened a dialogue with West Ham over a potential agreement but are yet to make a formal offer.
It’s claimed Man United had suggested Jadon Sancho could be included in a possible deal but West Ham are not interested in the England international. A similar proposal has been made by the Blues, who reportedly offered up to four players West Ham might be interested in, but West Ham made it clear they want an outright sale in order to maximise the amount they can reinvest in to Graham Potter‘s squad.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have also shown an interest in signing Kudus this summer and have discussed a move internally, according to The Athletic.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed earlier this month that the Magpies can afford to move for Kudus and potentially see him as a cheaper alternative to Bryan Mbeumo who is currently their top target this summer.
Spurs are the fourth club who hold an interest amid rumours Heung-min Son could be on his way out this summer, but it’s widely known that the Hammers would prefer to avoid doing business with their London rivals, making a move to north London an unlikely scenario for Kudus at this time.
Kudus and Potter
With several elite Premier League clubs lining up to register their interest in the Ghanaian, three of which are competing in Europe next season, West Ham will be bracing themselves for a bidding war anytime soon.
A bidding war is the perfect scenario for David Sullivan and the Hammers hierarchy as it will allow them to drive the price up as close to Kudus’ release clause as possible.
That will ultimately lead to Potter having more transfer funds spend on a squad which needs a serious level of investment if it is to be ready in time for West Ham’s first game of the new Premier League season against Sunderland.