Tottenham have stepped up their interest in Mohammed Kudus and club bosses are optimistic they can strike a cut-price deal for the West Ham forward this summer.
Kudus, 24, has racked up 19 goals and 13 assists in 80 appearances since joining the Hammers from Ajax in a £40million move from Ajax in 2023.
But there is mounting speculation that Kudus could be set for the exit door at the London Stadium, with several top teams alerted to a potential agreement for the Ghana international.
Chelsea have been credited with a strong interest as they scour the transfer market for attacking reinforcements having already signed Liam Delap from Ipswich.
But the Blues have instead decided to focus their attentions on Brighton’s Joao Pedro and Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, who are both expected to finalise transfers to Stamford Bridge over the coming days.
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According to The Telegraph, Spurs would be prepared to break their ‘unofficial transfer embargo’ with West Ham to land Kudus and are ready to make their move. Scott Parker was the last player to make the controversial switch way back in 2011.
The report states that Tottenham’s hierarchy are upbeat about their chances of reaching an agreement with the Irons for a fee ‘well below’ Kudus’ £85m release clause, which is said to be valid for the first ten days of July.
It’s claimed West Ham will listen to offers for Kudus as they look to raise funds for a summer rebuild under Graham Potter – and the ex-Ajax man is ‘open’ to the idea of a move across the capital.
However, Spurs – who appointed Thomas Frank as their new head coach earlier this month – may first need to offload players before tempting West Ham with an opening bid for Kudus.
Kudus’ current deal with the Hammers runs through to June 2028.
Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze have also been linked with moves to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in recent weeks and months.
Asked about his West Ham future in April, Kudus told SportsBoom: ‘I’m just here to play my football, enjoy myself, and help the team as much as I can.
‘The future will take care of itself.’
Spurs wrapped up their first piece of summer transfer business a fortnight ago as they confirmed that Mathys Tel had signed on a permanent basis following an initial loan deal.
The 20-year-old Frenchman put pen to paper on a six-year deal, tying him to the club until 2031.
‘I’m very, very excited about Mathys signing with a permanent deal,’ Frank said of Tel’s switch from Bayern Munich.
‘I think he’s a very talented player who can play across the front four positions.
‘He’s a goalscorer, that we can develop even further, and be even more consistent in his all-round game and also more consistent to land in the right positions in the box. I’m looking forward to it.’
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