Ajax have been urged to cash in on Mohammed Kudus if Premier League outfit West Ham United stump up a £40 million bid for the Ghana international.
If any side knows how to adapt to life without their most talented players, it’s the Dutch giants.
And a club who reinvested the money earned from Donny van de Beek, Hakim Ziyech, Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong on bringing in Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Edson Alvarez and the aforementioned Mohammed Kudus – one former Ajax player argues – could put a potential £40 million windfall to very good use as Maurice Steijn’s side look to reclaim the Eredivisie crown and usurp Feyenoord’s throne.
According to The Athletic, West Ham have seen an opening bid for Kudus rejected. Ajax are holding out for closer to £40 million. And, should the Hammers increase their offer sufficiently, Kenneth Perez believes that Kudus should be sold.
West Ham want Ajax ace Mohammed Kudus
“He played well. He had great actions, and he does surprising things,” Perez begins, speaking to Voetbal Primeur after Kudus grabbed an assist in the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Excelsior.
“But you can’t rely on him as a team.
“Your ‘number ten’ is so unpredictable that it is almost impossible to play with. I think he is potentially the best player (Ajax) have individually. But, for the team, I would always take that £40 to £50 million to strengthen you in a different way.”
Kudus, according to Fabrizio Romano, was viewed by West Ham as a potential replacement for Lucas Paqueta. The latter now looks set to stay despite a number of offers from Manchester City, but that does not mean there is not still a place for Kudus in David Moyes’ team.
The one-time Everton target scored 18 goals and set up seven more in 2022/23, largely from the right-hand side. With Moyes insistent that Jarrod Bowen can be converted into a full-time centre-forward, Kudus could slot in on the flank while allowing the former Hull City talisman to drift into the middle.
West Ham have already signed Kudus’ old Ajax team-mate Alvarez this month.
‘Can become world-class’
“In his technique, dribbling and power, Mo is not lacking at all,” former Ghana star George Boateng says of Kudus.
“If he lets team-mates score more often with a cross or through ball, Mo can really become a world-class player in the next 18 to 24 months.
“Mo was our best player in Qatar (in the World Cup)” Boateng adds. “The fact that he didn’t play (before this season) at Ajax caused him a little frustration. You can now see what John Heitinga’s confidence does to him. He repays (the faith) in full.
“Mo can compete in the Premier League. And also in other top competitions. He is really an amazing talent.”
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