Arsenal targeting 18-goal Eredivisie star
Arsenal are targeting a move for Ajax star Mohammed Kudus this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are considering a move to sign Mohammed Kudus from the Dutch giants. However, having already spent more than £200 million on Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice so far in this transfer window, the Gunners will have to sell some players before they can bring in the Ajax man.
Thomas Partey could potentially leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, and there are question marks over the futures of Nicolas Pepe, Kieran Tierney, and Folarin Balogun, amongst others. Shifting a few of these players could generate enough funds, and room in Mikel Arteta’s squad, for the club to launch a bid for Kudus.
Who is Mohammed Kudus?
The 22-year-old Ghanaian currently plies his trade with Ajax in the Eredivisie, and has made himself one of the key players in the side since his arrival in 2020. Kudus was once again in fine form for the Amsterdam outfit last season, as he racked up 18 goals and 7 assists across the course of the campaign.
Kudus also has two of the qualities that Arteta prizes most. The first is ‘youthful experience’. Despite his age, Kudus has already racked up over 100 games in senior club football. It was a similar situation for the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Declan Rice when the Spanish coach brought them to the club.
The other key feature of Kudus’ play that Arteta will love is his versatility. The tactical flexibility of Ben White and Leandro Trossard has helped them get game time under Arteta, and it is a quality shared by new boys Havertz and Timber.
The 24-cap Ghana international’s primary position is as an attacking-midfielder, but he can also operate in central midfield and on the flanks. His ability to play on the right and cut inside onto his favoured left foot also means he’d be able to replicate Bukayo Saka’s tactical function for the team if he were needed to cover for the English winger.
Ajax are thought to want £40 million for Kudus. If Arsenal can find a way to get such a deal done then they absolutely should.
