According to reports, Chelsea are ‘close’ to reaching an ‘agreement’ with Ajax and Ghana star Mohammed Kudus over personal terms.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in 2022/23. He grabbed 18 goals and seven assists in his 42 appearances across all competitions for Ajax (including 29 starts).
Kudus was also one of the standout young players at last year’s World Cup as Ghana narrowly missed out on a place in the knockout stages, despite them being in a group with Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
His recent form for club and country has fuelled reports linking him with a move to the Premier League this summer. Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd have all been mentioned as potential destinations for him ahead of next season.
Football Insider are now reporting that ‘Chelsea are close to agreeing personal terms with Mohammed Kudus as they put the finishing touches to what will be a marquee signing’.
A fee is understood to have been ‘settled’ at £40m and Kudus is ‘keen to join the Blues this summer’.
The versatile attacker has two years remaining on his Ajax contract but he is reportedly ‘open to leaving the club straight away’.
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This news comes about after it was revealed that West Ham have failed with a £40m bid for Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.
The Hammers are in the market for midfield reinforcements following the exit of Declan Rice and it is being reported that they will have to pay £50m to land Gallagher.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has stated that Chelsea will “move quickly for an attack-minded midfielder” if they sell Gallagher and Kudus could fit the bill.
“Chelsea have registered their interest in Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus and are even close to agreeing personal terms. But no offer has been placed yet,” Jacobs wrote for Caught Offside.
“Kudus is one of a number of attacking midfield options, including Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga. He is appreciated because he can play centrally or out wide and scored 18 goals and got seven assists in all competitions last season.
“Kudus is under contract at Ajax until 2025 and is keen to leave. He has already rejected a one-year extension back in April.
“The Arsenal interest is genuine as well, although they won’t move prior to outgoings. They made contact a couple of weeks ago. Brighton are also in the race. Kudus is going to cost about £40m.
“I think if Chelsea sell Conor Gallagher they will move quickly for an attack-minded midfielder. West Ham have seen a bid rejected for Gallagher for around £40m. He has got plenty of minutes in pre-season under Mauricio Pochettino, but Chelsea will sell if the price is right.”
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