Chelsea ‘lead Arsenal in race to sign Ajax star Mohammed Kudus’, with the Blues offering a more convincing package while pricing the Gunners out

Chelsea are thought to be winning the race to sign Ajax star Mohammed Kudus for £40m, beating London rivals Arsenal to the deal.

Mail Sport previously reported on talks between the Blues and Kudus, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side looking to improve their squad going into the Premier League season.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who has been at Dutch club Ajax since 2020, represented Ghana at last year’s World Cup, which added to his admirers around the globe.  

The Independent report that Chelsea are leading the race to sign Kudus, as they would be able price the Gunners out of a deal, and that the Blues have also prepared ‘a more convincing package’ for the Ghanaian star than their cross-town rivals. 

Chelsea have been in a position to offer more clarity on a price to Ajax – thought to be in the region of £40m – and what they would pay Kudus in wages. 

Chelsea are thought to be beating Arsenal in the race to sign Ajax star Mohammed Kudus 

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are seeking for a new attacking midfielder after Kai Havertz left

Kudus almost joined Everton last season, but now looks likely to come into Pochettino’s revamped Chelsea side. 

Chelsea require new players to replace those who have left this summer, such as Kai Havertz and Mason Mount.  

Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is also a potential newcomer to Stamford Bridge, although Pochettino’s side are locked in a stand-off with the Seagulls over the availability of the £100m star.

Brighton were thought to be interested in Kudus, after the departure of Alexis Mac Allister from the South Coast, while Man United were also believed to be targeting the midfielder before purchasing Mount from Chelsea.  

Ajax want £40m for their Ghanaian international, and Chelsea seem most likely to match that

While Arsenal want another midfielder like Kudus, they must sell players to fund their new transfer interests, after hitting the market big this summer acquiring Havertz and Declan Rice among others. 

Kudus previously rejected an offer to extend his deal at Ajax, and expressed his desire to leave Amsterdam for new challenges elsewhere, despite being contractually tied to the Dutch giants until 2025. 

Ajax signed Kudus for £8m from his former club FC Nordsjaelland in 2020, and last season scored 11 times in 30 league appearances.

Kudus is a powerful player who carries plenty of speed and plays in an advanced role.