Chelsea are in danger of losing out on one of their top transfer targets for this summer to one of their fiercest rivals.
Despite already strengthening in attack with the additions of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens, the Blues have been linked with signing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.
Kudus has changed agents in order to try and secure a move away from the London Stadium, and he is attracting a number of sides.
Chelsea hold interest in the Ghana international from before he moved to the Premier League, and the Blues are pushing hard to sign Kudus this summer.
Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring during Brighton & Hove Albion FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
West Ham expecting Chelsea to bid big for Mohammed Kudus
However, they face competition from Tottenham, who are looking to rebuild after a season that saw them finish close to the bottom of the table, however win the Europa League.
Journalist Jacob Steinberg has claimed that Thomas Frank’s side have launched a £50m bid to sign the forward this summer.
However, he stated that the Hammers are waiting to see what Chelsea do, and they expect them to come in with a higher offer than their London rivals.
He said: “West Ham turned down a £50m proposal for Kudus from Spurs earlier this week but have not received any new offers since then. As reported earlier they are expecting a bigger bid from Chelsea.”
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
The Blues very rarely let a deal they want to happen slip through their fingers, so it will be interesting to see how they respond to this development.
Todd Boehly looks on after victory in Real Betis Balompie v Chelsea FC - UEFA Conference League Final 2025
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Chelsea players of interest to West Ham
While West Ham were not interested in a swap deal originally pitched by Chelsea, they do have a number of players who the Hammers can look to sign in return.
Reports have claimed that they are interested in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall or Carney Chukwuemeka if they do complete business with Chelsea this summer.
Any move for Kudus could hinge on the future of Noni Madueke. Arsenal have already agreed personal terms with the winger ahead of club-to-club negotiations.
Signing the Ghanaian would certainly be an upgrade on the England international, who has never been able to nail down a spot in the starting XI since his move to West London.