AFC Ajax technical director Sven Mislintat has now confirmed that his Eredivisie outfit have received enquiries about Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Mohammed Kudus.
The London rivals are tussling over Kudus with Mikel Arteta and Mauricio Pochettino pushing for his transfer this summer. Both managers believe the 22-year-old would have a lot to offer at Arsenal or Chelsea next season. But neither has yet agreed a deal to bring him to England.
Reports by the Independent this week have claimed that Chelsea lead Arsenal in the £40m race for Kudus’ transfer. Stamford Bridge chiefs have drawn up the more convincing package for the sought-after Ghana international. The Blues’ bid may price the Gunners out of a deal.
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Chelsea are edging ahead of Arsenal in the pursuit of Kudus
Arsenal cannot currently advance Arteta’s interest in Kudus after signing Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice already this summer. Havertz, in particular, may cost them Kudus as his move from west to north London helped Chelsea trim their squad and generate £67.5m.
Additionally, The Athletic reported recently that Chelsea were close to finding an agreement with Kudus’ camp over personal terms. He is under contract with Ajax through to June 2025. But the midfielder rejected De Godenzonen’s offer to extend his terms to June 2026 in April.
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Yet Football Transfers now reports that while Kudus is open to joining Chelsea, the Ajax star would rather join Arsenal if given the choice between the two transfers. Kudus has also told his camp that the Gunners are his strong preference as the Ghanaian pushes to leave Ajax.
What has Mislintat said about a summer transfer for Kudus?
Despite the reports of Arsenal and Chelsea’s interest, though, Ajax director Mislintat claims no club is close to securing Kudus’ transfer. Instead, the Gunners’ former head of scouting has stated that while teams have held talks with Ajax, he does not expect any offers soon.
“There are clubs that have informally enquired about him,” Mislintat has confirmed to Ajax Life. “I don’t expect an offer very soon, although you know that things can be different in the football world. Perhaps the interest is not as serious as everyone thinks for the time being.
“At the same time, we know that the market in England has not really started yet. Those clubs are all in America for their preparation.”
Mislintat has also hinted that Arsenal and Chelsea would face a higher asking price if either team leaves it until the end of the summer window to negotiate Kudus’ transfer with Ajax.
“It is not the case that we work with deadlines in the sense of you can leave until that date and not after that,” Mislintat added. “But you can agree on certain principles, such as that the desired amount will increase towards the end of the transfer window.”