TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Arsenal are not willing to pay the release clause in Mohammed Kudus’ contract at West Ham United.
The Gunners are expected to be busy in the upcoming summer transfer window, with Andrea Berta looking to strengthen multiple areas of Mikel Arteta’s side.
Kudus has been of interest for a long time, since he was at Ajax before joining West Ham.
TBR Football can confirm that Arsenal remain interested in signing Kudus, but they will not meet West Ham’s demands to land him this summer.
How much Arsenal are ready to pay to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham
TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, understands that Arsenal are not prepared to pay more than £50 million for Mohammed Kudus this summer.
The Ghana international has been at the London Stadium since 2023 after West Ham sealed a £38 million deal to sign him from Ajax.
Kudus still has over three years left on his contract, and the Irons even have an option to extend that by another 12 months.
However, West Ham are ready to sell Kudus this summer, and TBR can confirm that Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United are all interested in his services.
It is believed that the Hammers are holding out for his release clause, which is set at £85 million, but none of the three interested clubs are prepared to pay over £50 million for him.
Clubs in the Saudi Pro League are the only ones who would be willing to trigger his release clause, and we understand that Kudus would consider a move to the Middle East. But, his preference is to stay in Europe.
TBR can further reveal that West Ham need to sell to be able to buy this summer in order to remain on the right side of PSR.
Mohammed Kudus was hailed as the ‘perfect Bukayo Saka replacement’
Arsenal lost Bukayo Saka for over three months due to a serious hamstring injury back in December.
The Englishman is one of the Gunners’ most important players, and fans urged Arteta to sign a replacement for him in the January transfer window.
Former Arsenal player Adrian Clarke claimed just before the start of the winter window that Kudus would be a great option to play in Saka’s position.
He told talkSPORT: “Mohammed Kudus is a player that Arsenal have had a long-term interest in.
“He is a perfect Bukayo Saka replacement who can also do a job up front. Wonderful traveller with the ball at his feet.”
