Ajax star Mohammed Kudus has reportedly been the subject of transfer interest from Arsenal and Chelsea this summer.
The Ghanaian international has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League since the last year. The Gunners are in the market for a right-winger to complete their summer transfer business, while the Pensioners are still targeting attackers after selling the likes of Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
According to Football Transfers, Mohammed Kudus would prefer to join Arsenal over Chelsea due to the lure of Champions League football.
Kudus, 22, almost joined Everton last season but a move failed to materialise. He stayed put at Ajax, enjoying a stellar season that yielded 18 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances across all competitions. He also chipped in with two goals in three games for Ghana at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 22-year-old, who is tied up with Ajax until 2025, rejected a one-year extension in April and is keen to leave the Dutch giants this summer. The report adds Arsenal could only make a move for Kudus if they sell off some of their players, having already splashed just over £200million on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
Mohammed Kudus to Arsenal—Should the Gunners go all out to sign him?
Mikel Arteta is keen on mounting another title assault after falling short to Manchester City last season. He has strengthened his squad considerably with the acquisitions of Rice, Havertz and Timber, but there will be room for more improvement if the club succeeds in shifting fringe players such as Folarin Balogun, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding.
Should that happen, the Arsenal boss would be interested in signing Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus, who is one of the most sought-after young attackers in the market, having enhanced his reputation with impressive displays at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 22-year-old operated as either a central midfielder or attacking midfielder during his first season at Ajax. But the Ghanaian has since evolved into an effective forward, playing both as a false 9 and on the right, producing 25-goal contributions across all competitions last season. A player of such extreme versatility would only benefit Arteta’s Arsenal, who are set to participate in the Champions League in the upcoming season.
The fact that Mohammed Kudus can also play on the right could prove valuable for the Gunners considering the need for some cover for Bukayo Saka next season. Kudus would undoubtedly be an exciting addition to Arteta’s squad, given his age, versatility, potential and European experience, and the player’s apparent preference to join them over Chelsea should be music to the ears for Arsenal fans.
With that being said, the Gunners must quickly offload some of their deadwood before tabling a bid for the Ajax star.