West Ham have been able to cultivate star talent in recent years, but none more gifted than Mohammed Kudus.
The Ghana international burst onto the European scene with Ajax and caught the eye of the aristocracy. However, it looked like the typically shrewd Brighton were set to land another gem after agreeing a deal with the Dutch club, ahead of the Hammers, who swaggered into negotiations after the triumph of Conference League, swoop in and secure Ghana’s services. budding superstar
Kudus was excellent in a transition-heavy side last season and has been limited to mere flashes due to a lengthy suspension under Julen Lopetegui this time around.
The 24-year-old has shown the ability to perform a litany of roles at a very high level, and the ease with which he has been brought to the Premier League is keeping clubs on red alert. Reports of an £85m release clause have attracted potential suitors considering their 2025 transfer plans, with interest in Kudus still lingering.
Here’s how 90 minutes ranks the Ghanaian’s potential destinations based on suitability, club needs and likelihood of the deal going through.
With the 2034 World Cup officially confirmed as Saudi Arabia’s, expect the Gulf tightropes to embark on a bullish 2025 on the transfer front.
So far they have been able to attract an impressive pool of European talent to their Pro League, but we have yet to see too many stars who are not past their prime opt for a Saudi adventure.
Kudus, given his talent, would be a huge blow to the division. Al Ittihad were linked in the summer, and the PIF-backed clubs of course have the cash to trigger West Ham’s release clause on the playmaker.
However, the 24-year-old is surely not yet ready for a European start. Kudus will not be shy of options if he pushes for a move out of East London, with wiser career options on the table.
The other clubs that have been linked with a Kudus move so far are very familiar with what the Ghanaian is capable of. Last season, St James’ Park saw Kudus’ brilliance first-hand when the playmaker scored West Ham’s second in a 4-3 defeat by the Hammers.
A move to Tyneside would perhaps be a bit of a lateral move for Kudus, given Newcastle’s struggles over the last 18 months, but the Magpies are loaded with ambition and Kudus is the type of signing that would convince the likes of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes to remain. at the club
With Eddie Howe well stocked in the midfield engine room, Kudus would likely man one of the flanks. Newcastle are in desperate need of an upgrade on the right, and the addition of the Ghanaian would allow Howe to field an absolute box-office front line made up of Anthony Gordon, Isak and Kudus.
Woof.
Mohamed Salah remains an unavoidable force on Liverpool’s right, but he won’t be around forever.
The Reds did excellently to sign Federico Chiesa for a bargain in the summer, but the Italian’s fitness issues raise the question of whether he can really be trusted.
You can’t replace Salah with just one body, but Kudus would certainly be an excellent addition to Arne Slot’s Reds. The Ghanaian could fill in on the flank or step into the limelight as the Dutchman’s number 10, providing what Dominik Szoboszlai lacks in subtlety and technical mastery.
Liverpool they are big fans of Kudus and he appears to fit Michael Edwards’ ideal, but the Reds will not negotiate an £85m deal in the January transfer window.
Man City need players. They would take anyone. Well, he should be under 30 ideally, and also pretty good at the sport.
Kudus is both.
The Cityzens’ rebuild begins in January, and it looks as though the perennial Premier League champions are turning to the best their current domestic rivals boast as a means of speeding up their recovery.
Kudus is not a defensive machine, but he is very athletic and City have lacked a lot of physicality this term. While Guardiola could shift the Ghanaian wide, Kudus would do immense damage in the type of positions Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden normally operate.
The 24-year-old would need to alter his profile a bit to thrive under Guardiola, but there’s no denying that Kudus offers plenty that the champions currently lack. In addition to his athleticism and direct delivery of the ball, Kudus is a clear goal threat. The Cityzens are in desperate need of a range of goalscorers given their recent malaise amid a barren run for Erling Haaland.
City will spend big next year, and Kudus can be one of the building blocks for the next big iteration of Guardiola’s side.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are a tough watch at times, but they are still an excellent team who are still capable of winning the Premier League title
However, many are skeptical of his chances given his inconsistent attacking performances and his reliance on Bukayo Saka. Arsenal have often looked unbalanced and one-dimensional this term, but Saka’s output and set pieces have kept them in a decent enough position.
Their current crop of attackers are surely not capable of propelling Arteta’s side to the title. They need one more. Once news broke of Kudus’ potential availability, Gooner’s ears perked up. He could be the guy.
Kudus could operate from the left, but Arteta would need to alter his dynamic to ensure the Ghanaian is operating from mid-space as much as possible. He could also abandon Mikel Merino’s duel win for Kudus’ cleverness in Arsenal’s midfield three. Having Martin Odegaard and Kudus operating in tandem would surely take the Gunners’ possession game into another realm.
Although any semblance of control would be compromised, the addition of Kudus would offer Arsenal great balance and further diversify their attack. It’s certainly a tempting option in January.
