Brighton consider Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus a ‘top target’ after he rejected a new deal

Brighton are reportedly considering Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus as a ‘top target this summer’.

It comes as the 22-year-old, who joined the Eredivisie side in 2020, will likely leave the club this summer, after rejecting a one-year contract extension with Ajax back in April. 

Several other Premier League sides, including Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea had reportedly been interested in the attacking midfielder, who has seemingly become unsettled at the Dutch outfit, notably striking from training last year in a bid to push through a move to Everton. 

But according to Fabrizio Romano, Brighton now have a ‘concrete interest’ in the Ghanaian, who has been capped 21 times by his national side, and have made him a ‘top target this summer’, while also admitting that ‘Chelsea have not held concrete talks with him.’  

He wrote on Twitter: ‘Understand Mohammed Kudus is one of the top targets for Brighton this summer. He’s in the list, the interest is concrete. Not an easy deal but Brighton like Kudus — no concrete talks with Chelsea.’

Mohammed Kudus (pictured) is being considered as a ‘top target this summer’ by Brighton

Roberto De Zerbi is looking to strengthen his squad as they prepare for European football 

It also comes as Alexis Mac Allister (second right) departed the club this summer for Liverpool 

The Italian Journalist also clarified: ‘Brighton have not opened talks for Teun Koopmeiners at this stage.’ 

Brighton are looking to replace Alexis Mac Allister, who departed the club at the start of June for £35million. 

And Kudus, who plays in a similar advanced role could be a good addition to Roberto De Zerbi’s squad, as the Seagulls are also preparing to lose Moises Caicedo. 

Chelsea now seem to be stepping up their interest to sign the Ecuadorian and are readying a new £80m bid to sign him which could come soon. 

Todd Boehly’s side are set to recoup a whopping £130m on outgoing transfers, with Kalidou Koulibaly, Cesar Azpilicueta, Matteo Kovacic, Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Romelu Lukaku nearing exits and that could help them in their bid to sign Caicedo, who will not come cheap.

Kudus has impressed at Ajax since joining in 2020 scoring 24 goals in the 83 matches 

Chelsea, meanwhile, have not held concrete talks with Kudus but are honing in on a deal for Moises Caicedo and are preparing an improved bid that be made go in very soon

Should Caicedo leave the Amex Stadium, Brighton would certainly then need to bring in a couple of new midfielders and Kudus would be a great option. 

At a mere 22 years of age, the Ghana international has already won two Eredivisie titles and a Dutch cup, cementing himself as a key figure in Ajax’s squad, returning 24 goals in the 83 matches he’s played for the club, across all competitions. 

This season, he’s been pivotal in Ajax’s charge on the top of the league, scoring 11 times in 30 appearances, while also netting four goals in six Champions League matches. 

But Brighton could face stiff competition from Manchester Untied, with Erik ten Hag previously identifying the midfielder as an exciting prospect that he could look to bring to Old Trafford.