Ajax star Mohammed Kudus is attracting strong interest from the Premier League but it appears he could yet stay put with the Dutch giants.
The Ghanaian international has been linked with an exit from Ajax this summer, with strong interest particularly from the Premier League. Still only 22, the midfielder has grown a reputation as one of the top players around for his age and his versatility further makes him attractive to consider.
Kudus enjoyed an impressive 2022/23 season at the Johan Cruyff Arena, scoring 18 goals across all competitions.
At one point, Chelsea seemed like the clear favourites to land Mohammed Kudus but Brighton emerged as frontrunners and even agreed a deal for the player with Ajax.
As confirmed by credible reports earlier this month, Ajax came to an agreement in principle with the Seagulls to sell Kudus for just under €40million (£34.5m).
However, personal terms seemed to be an issue as the deal hit a dead end on the players' side. Kudus' entourage want to include a release clause alongside the deal but Brighton are not willing to accept those terms, as per reports through the Dutch media.
🚨 – JUST IN: The 48 hour deadline that Mohammed Kudus had to make a decision regarding his personal agreement with Brighton has expired. This doesn’t mean he will 100% stay, but Ajax are now back in control and will no longer cooperate easily. With each day passing by, his price… pic.twitter.com/Kl0GBUxBip
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) August 10, 2023
Taking all of the above into account, the future of Mohammed Kudus remains uncertain but Ajax manager Maurice Steijn is now hinting at a possible stay with the Dutch giants for the player.
The latest on Mohammed Kudus future
Players are often left out of the squad when they are strongly linked with an exit from the club but none of that is the case after the Ajax manager maintained that Kudus is happy to be at the club as it stands.
Speaking ahead of Ajax's opening league fixture against Heracles, Ajax manager Steijn: “I can confirm that Kudus can play tomorrow”.
“There are things happening around him but nothing concrete happened in the end. I'm very happy that he's with us tomorrow”.
Kudus seemed to confirm his manager's words on the pitch after a brilliant showing that saw him open his account in the 75th minute after controlling the ball before slotting home from close range.
Speaking after the game, Steijn reiterated his earlier stance on Kudus, saying: “I have read a lot of reports about Kudus this week but there is literally nothing right now that points to him leaving”.
“I spoke to him this week and he is fully focused on Ajax. He is a jewel for Ajax”.
Ajax manager Steijn: “I have read a lot of reports about Kudus this week but there is literally nothing right now that points to him leaving”. ⚪️🔴 #Ajax
“I spoke to him this week and he is fully focused on Ajax. He is a jewel for Ajax”. pic.twitter.com/MlXNpgtE5r
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2023
What next for Kudus?
Brighton will likely be doing their best to convince the player's entourage to come to an agreement with the club, having already agreed a deal with Ajax. If that fails to happen though, it means a move to the Seagulls is off this summer.
The London duo of Chelsea and Arsenal remain the other interested parties in Kudus but a lot could hinge on other completed transfers surrounding both clubs – something of a domino effect.
On the path of Chelsea, their primary target at the moment is Moises Caicedo, who coincidentally plays for Brighton. It makes sense to think that the Seagulls consider Kudus as a replacement for Caicedo, who could be on his way out of the club in a matter of days.
Understand the agreement between Moisés Caicedo and Chelsea is for a contract valid until June 2031 🔵🇪🇨
…but the contract will also include an option until 2032, one more season.
Caicedo agreed personal terms with Chelsea at the end of May.
Clubs working to close deal now. pic.twitter.com/aELVHCiuzr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2023
However, Brighton are in no particular rush to sell and their inability to sign Caicedo's ‘replacement' is perhaps seeing them make life difficult for clubs trying to sign their prized asset.
Asides Caicedo, the Blues are also reportedly interested in Southampton star Romeo Lavia. Should Chelsea sign both players, then they will have no need for Kudus in their ranks.
🚨❗️Chelsea are still in talks with Southampton over Roméo Lavia, and the deal is independent of the Moisés Caicedo one.
Personal terms are not expected to be a problem.#CFC
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) August 13, 2023
On the path of Arsenal, the Gunners equally need more depth in their squad but except the club see some outgoings, it is unlikely they will make a concrete move for the Ghanaian.
At the end of the day, Kudus could yet remain at Ajax for the 2023/24 campaign.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 months ago
