West Ham are close to an agreement with Ajax to sign Mohammed Kudus, The Athletic reports. The Premier League side submitted a bid worth €41.5m plus €3m in add-ons for the 23-year-old attacking midfielder. A 10% sell-on clause will also be included in the deal. The offer is expected to be accepted by the Eredivisie side. Personal terms are already in place and the player will sign a five-year deal with the option of a sixth.
Last season Mohammed Kudus scored 18 goals and provided six assists in 42 appearances. The former Nordsjaelland talent was one of Ajax’s stand-out stars as the Dutch giants finished third in the Eredivisie. The midfielder has already kicked off the new campaign in superb fashion. He scored in the 75th minute of Ajax’s 4-1 opening-day victory over Heracles and provided an assist in their 2-2 draw with Excelsior last weekend. Kudus’ current contract expires in 2025 and he rejected a one-year extension in April.
Chelsea and Brighton were among other clubs to have registered interest in Mohammed Kudus this summer. Earlier this month, Brighton reached an agreement in principle to sign the midfielder, but no progress has been made between Ajax and the Seagulls.
If Mohammed Kudus joins West Ham, he will link up with former teammate Edson Álvarez. The Mexican midfielder completed the move from Ajax to West Ham two weeks ago. The Premier League side have also brought in James Ward-Prowse and defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, as they look to build on last season’s 14th-place finish.
