West Ham are expecting to cash in on Mohammed Kudus this summer.
The Ghana international has been the subject of increased interest ever since he joined the club from Ajax two years ago, mostly due to his impressive maiden season in England where he scored 14 goals and assisted a further six in 45 appearances.
Despite his second season, in which he managed just five goals and four assists, being a disappointment, interest in his services remains strong, as per ongoing reports in the early stages of the current transfer window.
Kudus reportedly has a tiered release clause in his contract, which stands at £125m for Saudi clubs and £85m for those in the Premier League. It’s claimed, though, that Kudus would reject any move to Saudi Arabia as he wants to remain in Europe.
Chelsea pushing for Kudus transfer
According to talkSPORT, Chelsea are the first to test West Ham’s resolve over Kudus.
It’s claimed they’ve been unsuccessful in a player plus cash bid for the 24-year-old, with West Ham seemingly unimpressed by the players on offer as part of the proposal.
Those players are said to be goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
It’s not yet clear whether Graham Potter and his recruitment team have turned down the offer based on the fact they simply don’t want those two specific players, or whether it’s simply a case of the deal not making sense financially at this stage.
Either way, it’s clear West Ham are edging closer to cashing in on Kudus now that the bidding for his signature has begun.
West Ham could benefit from Chelsea’s Kudus offer
On the face of it and without knowing the financial side of Chelsea’s players plus cash proposal to take Kudus from east to west London, this does appear to be a deal West Ham could benefit from.
Lukasz Fabianski’s exit this summer means Potter is in need of a new goalkeeper this summer, either as a first choice or a fresh back up to Alphonse Areola.
Reports this week claim talks are underway over a potential £20m move for Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale but there are also question marks over his ability to compete at the top level now that he has three relegations on his CV following the Saints’ swift return to the Championship.
Sanchez, meanwhile, represents an interesting proposition.
The Spaniard kept 10 Premier League clean sheets for the Blues this season and has 40 to his name in 135 top-flight appearances. He is known to be a goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, which is the profile Potter is seeking this summer.
Robert Sanchez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Elsewhere, West Ham’s midfield was exposed on several occasions throughout the season due to a lack of pace and stability, which is something a midfielder like Dewsbury-Hall could bring.
The former Leicester academy graduate has struggled for game time since making the switch to Stamford Bridge last summer and it appears Enzo Maresca is willing to let him leave the club.
Dewsbury-Hall, 26, is a left-footed central midfielder who can play defensively and as a No.10. Given the lack of legs and creativity in midfield this season, he’s a player Potter could find useful next season as he looks to overhaul his squad.