Ajax coach Maurice Steijn is still expecting Mohammed Kudus to stay put even after Premier League outfit West Ham United edged closer to a deal for the Eredivisie forward.
Wishful thinking, perhaps? Or does Ajax’s new manager know something we, as of yet, don’t?
The Evening Standard reported today that, after two failed bids, West Ham United are now increasingly ‘confident’ that a new and improved offer of £38 million will be enough to bring in a player they initially opened talks with nearly a fortnight ago.
Speaking ahead of Ajax’s UEFA Europa League qualifier away at Ludogorets on Thursday night, however, Steijn believes he will still be counting on Mohammed Kudus come September.
Ajax boss hopes to keep West Ham target Mohammed Kudus
“I currently expect him to stay with us this season,” the former Sparta Rotterdam boss tells Voetbal Zone. “I hope he stays. Furthermore, (talks with West Ham) is something that is on the plate of (technical director) Sven Mislintat.
“That is beyond me.
“Kudus himself knows that I really want him to stay. And that is an understatement. Yesterday, I saw the best Kudus in training so far. He is really focused on playing well. He is ready.”
Kudus has picked up where he started off at the end of 2022/23, scoring one and setting up another in Ajax’s two Eredivisie games under Steijn so far. The versatile Ghana international appeared to be on his way to Brighton and Hove Albion at the start of August, and West Ham will be hoping that their own pursuit has a much happier ending.
The good news is that, according to The Standard, Kudus seems rather more interested in West Ham’s offer than when Brighton came calling. The report suggests that personal terms will not be an issue.
West Ham have already signed Kudus former Johan Cryuff Arena team-mate Edson Alvarez.
One ex-Ajax midfielder, meanwhile, believes the Amsterdam giants should take the money and run, with an eye-watering windfall giving Steijn the funds to improve his squad as a whole.
“You can’t rely on him as a team,” Kenneth Perez argues.
“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.”
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