Holding Europa Conference League winners West Ham United are closing in on their fourth key summer signing at the London Stadium in the wake of Declan Rice’s departure as the Hammers have agreed personal terms with Ajax star Mohammed Kudus.
The 23-year-old Ghanaian star midfielder will finally secure a move to the Premier League with the Hammers after being linked with a cadre of clubs in the English top flight while nearly joining Brighton just two weeks ago.
Per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, West Ham is closing on a full agreement with Dutch giants Ajax on a deal worth €41.5m plus €3m in add-ons as well as a 10% sell-on clause for the former FC Nordsjælland standout as Kudus has already agreed to personal terms with West Ham on a five-year contract which also has a 6th optional year structured in.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: West Ham on verge of agreement with Ajax to sign Mohammed Kudus. Official #WHUFC bid for 23yo #Ajax attacking midfielder expected to be accepted. €41.5m + €3m + 10% sell-on. Personal terms in place on 5yr deal + option of 6th @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/3sRSiSXS21
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 23, 2023
This looks to put an end to a protracted saga that has seen the Ghanaian international linked with serious interest from England in the wake of his excellent showing at the 2022 World Cup for the Black Stars, as well as a sublime second half of the 2022-23 campaign with Ajax that saw him hit 18 goals across 42 appearances in all competitions for De Godenzonen.
Kudus had previously been linked with interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, but it was Brighton that so nearly captured the versatile attacking midfielder two weeks ago when Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls had reportedly agreed terms in principle with Ajax for the player, but ultimately could not find common ground with Kudus before the deal collapsed.
West Ham have utilized the £133m they received from the sales of Declan Rice, Gianluca Scamacca, Nikola Vlasić, and Arthur Masuaku this summer, with the pending deal for Kudus having been preceded by completed moves for Edson Álvarez, James Ward-Prowse, and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
It is up to Moyes to now source tactical decisions that can get the best out of Kudus, who is capable of featuring as an 8, 10, right-sided winger, and a 9. With limited attacking options at his disposal, that should easily be accommodated.
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