Ajax coach Maurice Steijn is hoping Mohammed Kudus ‘stays’ at the Eredivisie giants as West Ham United open talks regarding a potential switch to the Premier League.
12 months ago, Ajax saw their squad stripped by Manchester United; Erik ten Hag joined at Old Trafford by Lisandro Martinez and Antony.
This time around, it is West Ham giving the Dutch giants sleepless nights. Maurice Steijn, the former Sparta Rotterdam boss hand-picked to pick up where Ten Hag left off at the Johan Cruyff Arena, has already lost Mexican midfield colossus Edson Alvarez to the Hammers.
Mohammed Kudus could yet go the same way.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that West Ham had opened talks with the silky Ghana international. Kudus, who scored 18 goals and set up seven more while shining in an otherwise disappointing Ajax campaign, could be brought in to fill a Lucas Paqueta-shaped void in David Moyes’ team.
West Ham open Mohammed Kudus talks with Brighton
Steijn, however, has little appetite for losing another key player to West Ham.
“Of course, I hope he stays,” Steijn told Voetbal Primeur after Kudus found the net in Ajax’s 4-1 opening day victory over Heracles.
“I spoke to him this week. He doesn’t throw his toys out the pram. He trains well.”
Steijn also believes there is currently ‘nothing that points to (Kudus) leaving’ before September’s deadline. Ajax accepted a £35 million bid from Brighton and Hove Albion over a week ago but it’s telling that, as of yet, talks between Kudus and the Seagulls do not appear to be advancing (Daily Mail).
It remains to be seen if West Ham would be a more tempting destination for the ‘incredible‘ Kudus than Brighton. The Hammers, like Brighton, will be gracing the Europa League in 2023/24, Moyes’ side qualifying after defeating Fiorentina in the Conference League final in July.
Paqueta assisted Jarrod Bowen’s dramatic late winner in Prague. The Brazilian string-puller could follow Declan Rice out the door, however, with Manchester City planning an improved bid.
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