The Tottenham and West Ham transfer embargo is seemingly over. While many feared a potential saga to play out, the two clubs have settled upon a £55m fee for Mohammed Kudus in pretty quick time
The Ghanaian looks set to become the first player to swap claret and blue for Lilywhite since Scott Parker in 2011, and it was the transfer bomba that Spurs supporters were after after a sluggish start to the summer transfer window.
2024/25 was one to forget for Kudus after an excellent debut Premier League season, so there's a sense of Spurs acquiring the 24-year-old after his stock has taken a bit of a hit.
Kudus, of course, isn't without weaknesses, but this is a singing Tottenham supporters should be very excited about for these four reasons.
1. Talent for Thomas Frank to extract
Thomas Frank
There's plenty for the new manager to work with. | Luke Walker/GettyImages
Kudus underwhelmed last season, but that doesn't detract from his distinct talent. The 24-year-old is a maverick footballer unlike anyone Spurs currently possess.
The Ghanaian's dribbling and ball-carrying are his USPs. According to WhoScored, no player in the Premier League completed more dribbles than Kudus (216) over the previous two seasons.
He isn't merely fleet of foot. Kudus is a physical specimen who uses his mightily impressive upper body strength and low centre of gravity to bounce off challenges. He can receive with his back to goal and combine, as well as drive through the heart of defensive structures with the nimblest of footwork.
Without the ball, Kudus is a menace, and his goal catalogue is pretty ridiculous, too.
In short, Spurs have signed perhaps the Premier League's strongest dribbler who works his socks off defensively, and is also capable of producing the spectacular in front of goal. All for £55m. There's so much for the new manager to work with.
2. Versatility
Mohammed Kudus, Elliot Anderson
Kudus is comfortable in an array of roles. | Steve Bardens/GettyImages
A variety of profiles, especially in attack, felt less necessary with Ange Postecoglou at the helm. However, Frank's willingness to adjust and adapt means Spurs are in need of shapeshifters who can perform multiple roles.
The Dane is unlikely to be wedded to any one system. A 4-2-3-1 will likely be the default, but there's scope for us to morph into a back three when required.
Thus, boasting a player of Kudus' versatility is hugely important. The Ghanaian is not only unpredictable when the ball arrives at his feet, but he can be a tricky player to track because he's so comfortable operating from a myriad of zones. Transfermarkt lists Kudus as playing eight different positions in his career, and he's joining Spurs without some of us knowing what his best role could be under Frank.
I like him drifting off the right, but he has the attributes with and without the ball to operate as a Frank No. 10. He could also potentially be used as part of a front two if Frank shifts to a 3-5-2, with Kudus often used as a false nine during his time at Ajax. He partnered Jarrod Bowen up top plenty of times under Graham Potter last season.
3. West Ham fans' reaction
West Ham are so desperate for cash that we have sold one of our best players who has an £85m release clause for £55m to our biggest rivals
We’re done.
We’re so, so done.
Get David Sullivan out of this football club NOW.
— West Ham Place (@WestHamPlace) July 9, 2025
I've never really bought into the animosity between West Ham and Tottenham. I wouldn't say I'm fond of the Hammers, but I don't actively despise them like I do Arsenal or Chelsea. I didn't lose any sleep when they won the Conference League.
It's a one-sided rivalry manufactured by the folk from the East End, and they may well regard this as their Sol Campbell. It's not quite the same, but there's no denying that many West Ham supporters are feeling a sense of betrayal, not just from Kudus, but from the board they detest as well.
To sign the 24-year-old for £30m less than his reported release clause must sting, too, especially when you see the sort of talent that's being sold in this transfer window alone for similar fees. West Ham required a big sale to kick-start a mini rebuild of their own, and chairman David Sullivan deemed a deal with the devil worthy of the widespread pushback.
I'm sure all of you have enjoyed the online Irons meltdown, and I suspect the two fixtures with Potter's Hammers will be tastier than usual next season.
4. He wants to play for Tottenham Hotspur
🚨🤍 Understand Mohammed Kudus is not talking to any other club at this stage: he wants Tottenham move.
Kudus already said yes to Spurs project and club to club talks with West Ham will continue soon.
Clear intention is to join Spurs. #THFC
🎥 https://t.co/zRBhFnTeXK pic.twitter.com/FXEm6Qbsan
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 6, 2025
Kudus is a self-assured operator. He knows his worth, and he believes he should be competing on the biggest stages at the highest level.
Whether you believe it to be right or wrong, Kudus thought he had outgrown West Ham. He enjoyed the freedom afforded to him by David Moyes, but perhaps didn't appreciate what Julen Lopetegui and Potter wanted him to do. The former, in particular, was a major factor in his slump last season.
While his 2024/25 campaign was underwhelming, Kudus had plenty of admirers this summer, with some reports suggesting Chelsea and Newcastle were keen. He had no interest in going to Saudi Arabia. If reports are to be believed, Kudus only wanted Tottenham. The Ghanaian craves the bright Champions League lights, that slick away strip, and Thomas Frank, who'll take his game to another level.
How can we not be endeared by Kudus, who hates West Ham and desperately wants to be in Lilywhite? Put your love for Eberechi Eze aside and welcome the 24-year-old with open arms. He could be special.