Arsenal eye move for Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus

Arsenal are considering launching a move for Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus who is valued at £40 million, according to the Daily Mail.

The Ghana international midfielder has spent the last three years on Ajax’s roster after joining the Eredivisie giants from Danish top-flight side Nordsjaelland in the summer of 2020.

However, he enjoyed his most prolific campaign in an Ajax shirt last season after racking up 18 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.

Despite being a natural attacking midfielder, Kudus was predominantly used as a centre forward last season, hence his eye-catching numbers. 

But his enormous contribution to the team was not enough to help Ajax retain their Eredivisie crown or even secure a Champions League berth, having finished third in the league rankings.

Kudus has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League over the past 12 months, with the likes of Everton, Newcastle United, and Manchester United monitoring his situation in Amsterdam.

Arsenal are also interested in capturing the 22-year-old’s signature, but the Gunners will have to offload several first-team players before launching a bid for Kudus following their £200m spending spree this summer.

After missing out on the Premier League title last season, Mikel Arteta entered the transfer market determined to build a squad that is capable of wrestling with Manchester City for the league crown.

Arsenal have already welcomed Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice to the Emirates Stadium in the ongoing transfer window, with all three players setting the Gunners back around £200m.

The Premier League runners-up are far from done with their summer business, with Kudus also on their radar, but they will have to balance their books before recruiting more players.

The likes of Kieran Tierney, Cedric Soares, Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, and Rob Holding are among those who are poised to leave the club this summer.

Kudus’ compatriot Thomas Partey has also been linked with an Emirates exit following the arrival of Rice, but Arsenal have yet to receive an acceptable proposal for his signature.