West Ham have managed to cultivate some star talent in recent years, but none is more gifted than Mohammed Kudus.
The Ghana international broke onto the European scene with Ajax and attracted the attention of the aristocracy. However, it appeared that typically shrewd Brighton had one more gem to land after completing a deal with the Dutch club, before the Hammers, who entered negotiations swaggering off the back of their Conference League triumph, pounced and secured the services of the Ghanaian budding superstar.
Kudus was excellent last season with a transitioning side, and this time he was limited to mere flashes due to a long suspension under Julen Lopetegui.
The 24-year-old has shown the ability to perform in a number of roles at a very high level, and the ease with which he has been taken to the Premier League means clubs remain on red alert. Reports of an £85m release clause have made potential suitors think about their 2025 transfer plans and interest in Kudus remains high.
Here’s how 90 min ranks the Ghanaian’s potential destinations based on suitability, club needs and likelihood of deal.
With the 2034 World Cup officially confirmed as Saudi Arabia, expect Gulf players to embark on a successful 2025 on the transfer front.
So far, they have managed to attract an impressive group of European talent to their Pro League, but we are yet to see if too many stars who have not had their best years opt for the Saudi adventure.
Kudus, given his talent, would be a huge success for the division. Al Ittihad were linked in the summer and the PIF-backed clubs naturally have the money to trigger the playmaker’s West Ham release clause.
However, the 24-year-old is certainly not ready to leave Europe yet. Kudus won’t be shy of options if he pushes for a move away from East London, with a wiser career choice sure to be on the table.
The remaining clubs that have been linked with Kudus’ move are all well aware of what the Ghanaian is capable of. Last season, St James’ Park saw first-hand the brilliance of Kudus as the playmaker scored West Ham the second in a 4-3 defeat by the Hammers.
A move to Tyneside might be a move for Kudus given Newcastle’s struggles over the past 18 months, but the Magpies are full of ambition and Kudus is the type of signing that would convince the likes of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes to stay at the club.
With Eddie Howe well stocked in his engine room in midfield, Kudus would likely occupy one of the flanks. Newcastle are in desperate need of an upgrade on the right and the addition of the Ghanaian would allow Howe to field an absolute front line box-office of Anthony Gordon, Isak and Kudus.
Woof.
Mohamed Salah remains an inevitable force on Liverpool’s right, but he won’t be around forever.
The Reds were brilliant when they bought Federico Chiesa for a bargain price this summer, but the Italian’s physical difficulties raise the question of whether he can actually be relied on.
You can’t replace Salah with one body, but Kudus would no doubt be an excellent addition to Arne Slott’s Reds. The Ghanaian could fill either flank or be thrust into the limelight as the Dutchman’s number 10 – providing what Dominik Szoboszlai lacks in subtlety and technical mastery.
Liverpool are big fans of Kudus and would appear to fit Michael Edwards’ ideal, but the Reds will not broker an £85m deal in the January transfer window.
Man City needs players. They would take anyone. Well, you should be under 30, ideally, and also pretty good at sports.
Kudus is both of those things.
The Cityzens’ rebuild begins in January and the perennial Premier League champions look set to turn to the best their current domestic rivals boast as a means of speeding up their recovery.
Kudus is not a defensive machine, but he is extremely athletically built, and City sorely lacked physicality this season. While Guardiola could bring the Ganco out, Kudus would do massive damage from the positions where Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden usually operate.
The 24-year-old would have to change his profile somewhat to thrive under Guardiola, but there’s no denying that Kudus provides much of what the champions currently lack. With his athleticism and direct ball-carrying, Kudus is a distinct scoring threat. The Cityzens are in desperate need of a string of goalscorers given their recent illness amid Erling Haaland’s barren run.
City will spend big next year and Kudus could be one of the foundations for the next great iteration of Guardiola’s squad.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are difficult to watch at times, but they remain an excellent team still capable of winning Premier League title.
However, many are skeptical of their chances given their inconsistent attacking performances and reliance on Bukayo Saka. Arsenal have often seemed unbalanced and one-dimensional this term, but Saka’s performance and set pieces have kept them in a decent enough position.
Their current set of strikers are certainly not capable of leading Arteta’s side to the title. They need another one. After news broke of Kudus’ potential availability, Gooner pricked up his ears. He could be that guy.
Kudus could operate on the left, but Arteta would have to change his dynamic to ensure the Ghanaian operates from the half-space as much as possible. He could also drop Mikel Merino who won the duel due to Kudus’ guile and guile in Arsenal’s midfield three. Having Martin Odegaard and Kudus working in tandem would certainly take the Gunners’ possession game into another realm.
While any semblance of control would be threatened, Kudus’ addition would offer Arsenal excellent balance and further diversify their attack. He is certainly a tempting option in January.
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