Chelsea hold talks with Mohammed Kudus over a move for Ajax's £40m-rated Arsenal and Brighton target
- Chelsea have made contact to sign Ajax's Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus
- It comes as Arsenal were eyeing a £40million move for the attacking midfielder
- Kudus impressed with his performances at the World Cup last year in Qatar
Chelsea have held talks over a move for Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus.
Arsenal and Brighton have also shown an interest in signing the £40million-rated 22-year-old after he rejected an offer of a new contract extension until 2026 from Ajax and expressed a desire to leave.
Kudus, who almost joined Everton a year ago, impressed at the World Cup with Ghana.
It comes as Mauricio Pochettino's side are locked in a stand-off with Brighton over the availability of £100million star Moises Caicedo, with Roberto De Zerbi holding a firm stance over the Ecuadorian's availability.
The Ghana international was snapped up by the Eredivisie side back in 2020 for £8m after impressing during his time at former club FC Nordsjaelland.
![Chelsea have made contact with Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/22/18/73504783-0-image-m-14_1690046794194.jpg)
Chelsea have made contact with Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus
![Mauricio Pochettino's (pictured) side have not made an official bid yet but are in the market for a new attacking midfielder after the departure of Kai Havertz to Arsenal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/22/18/73504759-0-image-a-15_1690046804669.jpg)
Mauricio Pochettino's (pictured) side have not made an official bid yet but are in the market for a new attacking midfielder after the departure of Kai Havertz to Arsenal
![Arsenal and Brighton are also interested in signing Kudus (left) who is out of contract in 2025](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/22/18/73504779-0-image-a-16_1690046808432.jpg)
Arsenal and Brighton are also interested in signing Kudus (left) who is out of contract in 2025
He would get off to a slow start to life in Amsterdam, struggling to assert his place in the team behind Anthony, who left for Manchester United in in 2022.
Reports from The Athletic also suggest that the Blues are 'close to agreeing personal terms' with the Ghana international.
Kudus was second best in the pecking order, but upon the Brazilian's departure he's flourished at the Dutch club, scoring 11 times in 30 league appearances last season.
He was integral for Ajax during their Champions League run last year too, scoring in four of his six appearances in the competition, notably scoring against Liverpool at Anfield.
The promising star's impressive performances have attracted the attention of many clubs in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag had also been eyeing up a move for his former midfielder, before United signed Mason Mount.
Arsenal and Brighton are the latest clubs to add their names to the growing queue of possible destinations for the in-demand Ghanaian international.
![Roberto De Zerbi (pictured) is looking to find a replacement for Alexis Mac Allister, who departed earlier this summer and Kudus could be a good replacement](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/22/18/73505289-0-image-a-17_1690047021459.jpg)
Roberto De Zerbi (pictured) is looking to find a replacement for Alexis Mac Allister, who departed earlier this summer and Kudus could be a good replacement
![Ajax are set to hold out for £40million for the Ghanaian international who impressed in last season's Champions League](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/22/18/73505303-0-image-a-18_1690047035758.jpg)
Ajax are set to hold out for £40million for the Ghanaian international who impressed in last season's Champions League
The Gunners are currently looking to offload a few players amid the arrivals of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber but are still keen to make new additions to their squad.
Brighton, meanwhile, are looking for a replacement for Alexis Mac Allister, who joined Liverpool earlier this summer.
Kudus is a powerful player who carries plenty of speed and plays in a similar advanced role to that of Mac Allister. He could be an excellent addition to De Zerbi's squad following the Argentine's departure.
But Brighton may have to beat Chelsea to sign him with the Blues also looking to improve their attacking midfield stocks, having lost Havertz to Arsenal earlier this summer.
![](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