Who is Arsenal's £40m target Mohammed Kudus? Heralded by Marco van Basten as the future of Ghanaian football - his bravery and goalscoring firepower could light up the Premier League
- Gunners are thought to be circling for the signature of the talented 22-year-old
- Kudus previously attracted the attention of Everton but Ajax would not sell
- Brighton are also said to be interested in the £40m-rated versatile midfielder
After missing out on their first Premier League title in 19 years by the finest of margins, Arsenal have wasted no time undertaking an impressive rebuild that means business.
Not content with securing the English top flight's British record signing in Declan Rice from West Ham for £105million, Mikel Arteta's side have also tempted Kai Havertz to the Emirates to the tune of £65m, and made a £40m swoop for former Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
But the Gunners' spending spree is unlikely to stop there as they prepare for another tilt at the league and a Champions League relaunch. And the latest player to catch the eye could see Arteta and sporting director Edu pull off another raid on the Eredivisie side.
Enter Mohammed Kudus. The Ghana international seems all but set for a move away from Amsterdam after a white-hot season at the Johan Cruyff Arena and an impressive World Cup debut. Previously tracked closely by Liverpool and Man United, Arsenal are thought to have joined Brighton in making a serious play for the 22-year-old midfielder, who his current side have valued at £40m - just three years after picking him up for a less than a quarter of that amount.
Here, Mail Sport runs the rule over Kudus' dazzling rise, and examines the likelihood of where he might fit in at the Emirates.
![Mohammed Kudus (centre) has had a rip-roaring season for Ajax despite turbulence at the Johan Cruyff Arena](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/12/73380135-12314515-image-a-2_1689767016666.jpg)
Mohammed Kudus (centre) has had a rip-roaring season for Ajax despite turbulence at the Johan Cruyff Arena
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/13/73382457-12314515-image-m-24_1689770598282.jpg)
The 22-year-old's rise has been closely watched by a number of top Premier League teams
![After securing the services of his old team-mate Jurrien Timber, Mikel Arteta is keen to sign the £40m-rated midfielder](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/12/73380943-12314515-image-a-3_1689767872008.jpg)
After securing the services of his old team-mate Jurrien Timber, Mikel Arteta is keen to sign the £40m-rated midfielder
Who is he?
After being spotted playing on the streets of Accra, Kudus joined Strong Tower FC, a small youth club in the town of Nima at the age of 10. His then-coach, Joshua 'Ayoba' Awuah claims he instantly saw the child as 'the world's best', and before long, he was scouted by the Right to Dream academy, a Ghanaian youth organisation founded by ex-Manchester United scout Tom Vernon.
His spell at the academy was a decorated one - he won four trophies as part of youth teams as he progressed through Right to Dream's ranks, including the Nike World U15 Premier Cup in 2015, which featured youth rivals including Manchester United and Real Madrid.
From there, the player joined Danish club FC Nordsjaelland - which is owned by the academy group - to test the waters of European football ahead of his 18th birthday. After scoring 11 goals in his debut season, Kudus was snapped up for close to £8m by arguably one of Europe's finest trackers of burgeoning talent, Ajax, in 2020.
His journey through the ranks at the Eredivisie side haven't been entirely smooth sailing. After being nominated by Tutto Sport in the Italian outlet's Golden Boy awards within the first 6 months of his arrival at the Johan Cruyff Arena, his debut season was speckled with injury concerns that continued to blight his second.
Kudus was further hampered by the Ajax pecking order: Brazilian winger Antony had - until his 2022 transfer - often been favoured ahead of his team-mate, taking most of the oxygen and allowing for Kudus' talents to go somewhat under the radar.
But there was enough interest around the player for Everton, then under the aegis of Frank Lampard, to come knocking. Loath to lose another top talent after the Premier League's raid on both their players and their manager Erik ten Hag, Ajax held firm, despite a mini-strike from Kudus that saw him swerve training ahead of the start of the season to force a move.
Ajax was right to keep hold of their man, and Kudus in turn benefitted from staying. The 2022-23 campaign set Kudus' prospects alight as he saw out a blistering season for Ajax - and one that may hint at a future in the English top flight.
![Kudus (pictured with his mother Mariama) joined Danish side FC Nordsjaelland in 2018](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/13/73380935-12314515-image-a-13_1689770017667.jpg)
Kudus (pictured with his mother Mariama) joined Danish side FC Nordsjaelland in 2018
![After a punchy 18-month start to his European career, Kudus was snagged by Ajax for £8m](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/12/73380101-12314515-image-a-5_1689767891836.jpg)
After a punchy 18-month start to his European career, Kudus was snagged by Ajax for £8m
Why is he in such high demand?
Impressive performances in Ajax's short-lived Champions League campaign first caught the eye in what could prove a landmark season for the mutable midfielder. Kudus scored four in his five starts, as well as proving the difference against Liverpool at Anfield with a rocketed equaliser that sparked a shock win on the road.
Against the backdrop of a difficult season in Amsterdam, following the departure of Ten Hag and the sacking of his replacement Alfred Schreuder, Kudus has played a vital role in providing consistency and heft to the side's attack.
All told, Kudus ended the season with 18 goals and a further seven assists in his 42 appearances for his club, a bright spot in an underwhelming campaign for the former Dutch champions.
But a flighty performance at the World Cup really allowed for Kudus' star to rise. The midfielder was the defacto face of a new-look Ghana boosted by a number of high-profile allegiance-switchers such as Brighton's Tariq Lamptey and Athletic Bilbao's Inaki Williams, and even though their campaign was unable to get off the ground in a tricky Group H, Kudus shone.
Particularly thought-provoking was the 22-year-old's performance against South Korea, which saw him net twice, including the winner, as the Black Stars claimed a 3-2 victory over eventual qualifiers South Korea. One of the younger members in the squad, the Ajax player looked every inch a leader and the sharp prong of Ghana's attack.
Even before the World Cup, Kudus was a huge star in Ghana, with former Fulham midfielder Derek Boateng telling Sky Sports in December that 'every time he is playing, it does not matter whether it is the Champions League or a friendly match, you will see all the kids get up and watch Kudus.
'Just Kudus. They just want him to score. When he scores, everyone is all over the place.
'Everywhere you go in Ghana, the name they are mentioning is Kudus.'
Referred to as the 'Prince of Nima' in a nod to his Strong Tower FC origins, after returning from Qatar, Kudus was given an honorary award by no less an institution than the Ghana Armed Forces for his contributions to the Black Stars. He was was named Footballer of the Year at the Ghana Football Awards at the end of the season.
![The midfielder impressed with a rocket strike against Liverpool in their Champions League tie](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/12/73380137-12314515-image-a-8_1689767922537.jpg)
The midfielder impressed with a rocket strike against Liverpool in their Champions League tie
![The 2022 World Cup gave Kudus' talents an even greater platform despite Ghana's struggles](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/12/73380195-12314515-image-a-7_1689767920027.jpg)
The 2022 World Cup gave Kudus' talents an even greater platform despite Ghana's struggles
![Kudus was named player of the match after a blistering performance against South Korea](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/12/73380175-12314515-image-a-6_1689767915326.jpg)
Kudus was named player of the match after a blistering performance against South Korea
The #KudusDream is real¿
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) September 16, 2022
This is the amazing reaction of students of the @Right2Dream Academy when graduate @KudusMohammedGH scored against Liverpool in the @ChampionsLeague ¿¿¿ pic.twitter.com/H9zWRzw0RW
What's been said about him?
In Dutch football, few compliments come higher than catching the eye of national icon Marco van Basten, and the Ajax legend has been outspoken about his belief in the midfielder.
When queried on Manchester United's £84m summer swoop for Antony, Van Basten batted back: 'I find Kudus a much better football player.
'He has much better technique and knows what he's doing. Antony may be faster, but Kudus is smarter and more technical.
'He is much more of a footballer and more fun to watch, you can place him anywhere on the pitch.'
Van Basten's endorsement will be music to the ears of Arteta, who has placed a emphasis this summer on signing versatile midfielders. Adding Kudus to the ranks would only bolster an already fully-loaded attack, and put Van Basten's theory to the test.
During his time at the Right to Dream academy, he was singled out for his mental toughness, content to play in a cast after breaking his thumb rather than miss out on minutes in training.
For his part, Kudus backs up his talent with a particular type of confidence: after facing Brazil in a pre-World Cup friendly in September 2022, Kudus tangled with Neymar Jnr. Recounting the interaction to the Guardian, the player shrugged: 'He's not better than me. He's just a higher profile player, that's all.'
Fighting words to describe the most expensive player of all time, which Kudus was keen to stress were spoken with the greatest respect when the article circulated on Twitter.
![Kudus maintains strong ties to Ghana and paid tribute to his compatriot and mentor Christian Atsu last season after the player's tragic death in the Turkey-Syria earthquakes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/12/73380213-12314515-image-a-9_1689767935376.jpg)
Kudus maintains strong ties to Ghana and paid tribute to his compatriot and mentor Christian Atsu last season after the player's tragic death in the Turkey-Syria earthquakes
![Ajax and AC Milan legend heralded Kudus and claimed he was even better than United's big-money signing Antony](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/12/73380963-12314515-image-a-10_1689767977367.jpg)
Ajax and AC Milan legend heralded Kudus and claimed he was even better than United's big-money signing Antony
Would his style fit in the Premier League?
Kudus is a left-footed attacking midfielder, but he has found equal joy on the right wing. Occasionally, John Heitinga would deploy the player as a false nine, harnessing his power to provide a cutting edge to Ajax's attack.
Boateng was quick to highlight his 'bravery on the ball', and his bullish style of play seems to belie his his stocky 5ft 9" frame. Kudus is particularly adept on the counter, and his quick-thinking and aggressive ball-carrying skills would no doubt endear him to many a Premier League manager.
Kudus is the hardy type, and seemed to take pleasure kicking lumps out of his opponent as he did when facing Neymar in that friendly. According to his Ghana assistant coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani: 'If he has to kick him, he kicks him. If he has to go past him, he goes past him.
![Kudus (right) has an aggressive style of play marked by its versatility and quick-thinking counter-attacking skills](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/13/73381971-12314515-image-a-12_1689769853005.jpg)
Kudus (right) has an aggressive style of play marked by its versatility and quick-thinking counter-attacking skills
![Both Arsenal and Brighton are set to vie for the player's signature during the summer window](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/19/13/73381977-12314515-image-a-11_1689769851056.jpg)
Both Arsenal and Brighton are set to vie for the player's signature during the summer window
'Playing against Neymar, Casemiro, and Vinicius Jnr, he thinks "If they kick me, I am going to kick them without even thinking".'
In the famously physical Premier League, both Arsenal and Brighton could rely on his balast to strengthen their midfield, particularly if the former sell on his compatriot Thomas Partey, whose future at the Emirates is uncertain.
Kudus is a long-term admirer of Liverpool's Thiago, and received a signed Bayern Munich shirt from the player in 2020; like the Spaniard, he seeks to find a balance between attacking and defensive play in midfield.
His versatility might be his most eye-catching skill for Arteta - he was played in an impressive seven positions in total over the last season - able to deputise as skillfully for Bukayo Saka as for Gabriel Jesus, and provide a worthy competition for the similarly slippery Havertz.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/02/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png)
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- Sinner defeats home favourite Fritz to win the US Open title
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl