Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for West Ham star Mohammed Kudus and have now confirmed Bukayo Saka is out for at least two months.
It’s like Declan Rice all over again as speculation intensifies of a battle between Arsenal and Man City for top West Ham star Mohammed Kudus.
The Gunners won that particular race last summer, paying the Hammers £105m with Rice choosing north London over the Etihad.
West Ham used a chunk of that money to sign Kudus from Ajax for £38.5m.
West Ham and Arsenal have both confirmed they intend to be active in the January transfer window.
Both clubs need new additions for different reasons.
Arsenal to boost their chances of winning the Premier League title after Man City’s drop-off.
And West Ham in a bid to salvage a hugely disappointing season which has fallen way below expectations following a £155m summer splurge on nine new players.
The problem for the Hammers is that sales or new investment will be needed as the club has reached its PSR limit.
Kudus has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this season.
West Ham’s star boy has cut a frustrated figure playing out of position on the left under Julen Lopetegui.
Kudus criticised Lopetegui for that after West Ham’s draw with Brighton, in which he scored.
After a much-publicised row with the Spaniard at Brentford earlier this season, Kudus was pictured at the Emirates watching Arsenal in the Champions League.
The Hammers star boy has just three goals from his 15 appearances this season.
For a player of his immense talent, that is nowhere near the return West Ham fans were expecting under a new manager who was tasked with playing a more attacking style of football.
Kudus leaving West Ham has become a question of when rather than if.
The Ghanaian has an £85m release clause active in the summer with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and most recently Man City interested.
But Hammers chief David Sullivan has admitted he would sell Kudus in January if a club paid £100m.
Arsenal were already being linked with Kudus before Bukayo Saka sustained a serious hamstring injury.
Mikel Arteta yesterday announced that Saka will be out for at least two months.
Many have put two and two together and assumed the Gunners will soon be picking up the phone to West Ham to make a signing which could save their title hopes.
Now there’s been a major Kudus development for West Ham as Arsenal make a big decision after the Saka operation.
Kudus has come in for criticism from some Hammers fans of late over his performance levels.
It’s been clear to see in his body language that the 24-year-old doesn’t want to play on the left.
Some have suggested West Ham should bite Arsenal’s hand off if they come in and pay the money in January.
Especially if it means West Ham can go out and sign a new striker and central midfielder.
So news emerging overnight from north London will divide some.
Because it appears the Gunners have baulked at paying that kind of money for Kudus.
Instead Arteta has ditched his interest in the Hammers star and is looking to sign AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze for £80m less according to Milan Live.
The tricky right winger is understood to be available for between £15-20m.
Ironically Nigerian star Chukwueze is a former West Ham target.
But Arsenal may even get Chukwueze without parting with any cash with a host of outlets now reporting the claims from Italy which also tout a potential swap deal in which defender Jakub Kiwior would go the other way.
With Saka ruled out for a crucial stage of the season, Arsenal now want Chukwueze according to the growing reports from Italy.
That could mean Kudus stays at West Ham for the rest of the season.
Although Man City still loom large in the equation.
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