West Ham appear to have something of a dilemma on their hands as Mohammed Kudus‘ West Ham exit takes a step closer this summer.
According to TBR Football, both Tottenham and Arsenal have opened talks to sign the Ghana international, and the Hammers may need to decide which arch rival they are more willing to do business with.
Since joining West Ham from Ajax for £38m in 2023, Kudus has been a standout performer but struggled last season. The 24-year-old’s versatility, explosive pace, and dribbling ability instantly made him a fan favourite in his first campaign but his form dipped dramatically last term.
He scored just five goals and provided three assists in 31 Premier League appearances in 2024/25.
Despite this, his potential and quality remains undeniable, with African journalist Rahman Osman noting on The Guardian’s Made In Africa Podcast, via West Ham Zone: “Kudus comes from Nima, and the moment he came to the Premier League, he wanted to make his mark at West Ham, then move on.
“If he gets an offer, he will go, that is for sure.”
Tottenham are keen to bolster their attack now that they have secured Champions League football next season, and Kudus has emerged as a prime target for new boss Thomas Frank. Reports claim Spurs are “preparing to test the waters with a £50m bid” despite his £85m release clause, which is active for a 10-day window from July 1st.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have a similar need for attacking reinforcements after their decision not to sign a striker last January is widely considered to be the reason why they failed to win the Premier League, subsequently finishing 2nd for a third season in a row.
West Ham are open to negotiations around £60m, a figure that could provide significant funds for Graham Potter’s squad overhaul. Those at the top of the club have acknowledged interest in Kudus, with a board spokesman telling Hammers News last month: “There is interest in Mohammed from three Premier League clubs, but no official offers yet.”
West Ham’s need to comply with PSR regulations makes this current situation surrounding Kudus a complex one. The club’s disappointing 14th-place finish last season has prompted the desperate need for a squad rebuild, and selling Kudus will provide a fundamental financial boost for Graham Potter to reinvest in his squad.
Back in April, a report on The Guardian stated that West Ham have ‘accepted that selling Mohammed Kudus may be the best way to boost their transfer budget.’ Yet, losing a player of Kudus’ caliber, described as ‘the best dribbler in Europe – by some distance statistically’ by Hammers News, means it’s going to be tough for Potter to find a suitable replacement.
Tottenham aren’t alone in their pursuit, though. Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked, with Chelsea in particular suggesting a number of players they would be willing to include in a potential deal, which the Hammers rejected.
Kudus’ ambition to play Champions League football will naturally make a move to either Spurs or Arsenal tempting, but he’s also expressed his commitment to West Ham, telling Sky Sports, via Caught Offside: “For every setback, I personally see it as an opportunity to grow and focus on what’s ahead.”
With Jarrod Bowen deemed untouchable, and rightly so, Kudus is currently West Ham’s most sellable asset.
Given West Ham need to sell in order to buy this summer, it makes total sense to cash in on the Ghana international, especially given his poor form last term. However, the club will understandably be unwilling to do business with Spurs.
That might give Arsenal the edge in discussions over a potential transfer, while there’s still the possibility that Chelsea might reignite their interest in the forward after they had an approach knocked back by West Ham earlier this month.
