After links to Arsenal earlier in the summer, Mohammed Kudus briefly appeared to be off the market as reliable reports confirmed Brighton had agreed a fee to sign the midfielder from Ajax.
Yet the deal has since fallen apart, with various suggestions as to why. There’s been some talk that Kudus wanted a release clause, or that Brighton couldn’t agree personal terms.
Regardless of the reasons why, Kudus doesn’t look set to join the Seagulls this summer. For now, he’s going to continue playing for Ajax.
“I can confirm that Kudus can play tomorrow (Saturday),” Ajax boss Maurice Steijn said.
“There are things happening around him but nothing concrete happened in the end. I’m very happy that he’s with us tomorrow.”
The question now is whether Arsenal might go back in for the player later in the window.
We know the Gunners had to make sales before they could continue to buy, which made an immediate move for Kudus difficult. But with Brighton’s move failing, Edu and co. may have more time to get it done.
On the other hand, former Arsenal Head of Recruitment and current Ajax sporting director Sven Mislintat has suggested any interested parties need to move fast to get a good deal.
“There are clubs that have informally enquired about him,” Mislintat admitted.
“It is important for us that the relationship with the players remains good. This can be done by being transparent and applying good principles.
“As we get closer to the deadline, the transfer fee, for example, goes up.”
Kudus had an absence from training recently, though his current club have clarified that the decision was made on medical grounds.
Ajax publicly confirmed that Kudus stayed indoors to receive treatment for a minor injury.
Earlier in the summer, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that Kudus had rejected a one-year extension to stay at Ajax beyond 2025, and he’s made the club aware of his intention to depart the club this summer.
Kudus made 42 appearances for Ajax last season, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists. A versatile attacker, he can play in an attacking midfield role, on the wing, or even up front.
