CONFIRMED: Mohammed Kudus to Arsenal set to be completed as New bid was sent to Ayax Today – announcement imminent
Chelsea and Arsenal are once more competing in the transfer market as they both look to secure one of the most promising attacking talents in Europe this summer.
Having battled with each other over Mykhailo Mudryk in January as well as completing the sale of Kai Havertz for £65million ($83m) earlier this window, Leandro Trossard was formerly a Chelsea target before he joined Arsenal, as was Declan Rice.
Now their attention has turned to Ajax star Mohammed Kudus. Coming off the back of his productive season yet as a professional player, Kudus has risen to prominence after impressing in Holland as well as the Champions League.
His four goals and two assists in the group stage alone saw him gain serious attention, impacting four of the games with his output. As well as scoring against both Liverpool and Napoli, it was the quality of his some of his play not just the numbers that has seen hype build around him.
Able to operate from the right of attack as well as behind a striker in an orthodox No.10 role or even occasionally deeper in midfield too, Kudus is an ideal candidate for fluid and versatile systems. At 22 he fits the age bracket for both Mikel Arteta’s young squad and Mauricio Pochettino’s even more junior one. As a serious speedster and a tricky dribbler, the left-footed forward is a hugely promising talent.
His immense strength mixed with aggressive on-ball play and progressive passing and ball-carrying has seen him both bully defenders as well as jinx past them. His bullet into the top corner of the Kop end at Anfield is a perfect demonstration of both touch and power against elite level opposition.
At a price believed to be around £40million ($51m), he is the full package. The only issue is a lack of experience in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Picked up by Danish outfit FC Nordsjaelland from Ghanaian academy, Right to Dream, Kudus’ development has been rapid.
Three years ago he moved as a teenager to the Eredivisie to train and learn under Erik ten Hag. For just £7.7million ($9.8m) the Amsterdam-based side are now in a position to make a huge profit. With a possible bidding war between the two London sides, Chelsea trying to quick business with cash in hand and Arsenal attempting to sell first, they could get more than first bargained for.
The other boost for Ajax is just how quickly Kudus has become an important player. He had never scored more than nine goals in a season before striking 11 in the league last year. It was part of a brilliant campaign that saw him notch 18 goals and seven goals for Ajax in all competitions along with two more strikes for his country at the World Cup.
This isn’t just a purple patch either. CIES football observatory puts his estimated value at £51million ($65m). For players born in 2000 that is the same as Dusan Vlahovic, William Saliba, Moises Caicedo and Xavi Simons, for reference. Just one year ago and Transfermarkt had that at £8.5million ($10.8m).
Although the Gunners were busy adding Gabriel Jesus to their squad before making Havertz a statement signing this summer, Chelsea have spent much more on attackers in recent years for little reward. Kudus’ middling price and form currently makes him an enticing prospect and certainly one to watch.
