Manchester United and two other Premier League clubs are interested in beating Chelsea to a summer deal for West Ham attacker Mohammed Kudus.
Chelsea were offered the chance to sign Kudus but failed with an initial bid for the Ghana international which included cash and one of Robert Sanchez or Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Enzo Maresca wants to welcome a versatile forward to Stamford Bridge this summer and remains interested in a deal for Kudus, who is keen to move.
Kudus enjoyed an impressive first season at the London Stadium following a £38m move from Ajax in 2023 but was less influential last season, scoring just five goals in 35 games in all competitions.
West Ham boss Graham Potter is believed to be open to selling Kudus, whose Hammers contract includes an £85m release clause.
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The Guardian say Chelsea have held further talks with the east London club but are currently prioritising a deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.
That has left Kudus to explore other options and it is claimed Manchester United have identified the 24-year-old as a possible target as Ruben Amorim looks to strengthen his attacking options.
But United are not alone in expressing interest in Kudus, with Newcastle United nd one other unnamed Premier League club also keen on a deal.
Kudus has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia but his release clause for clubs in the Saudi Pro League sits at £215m, according to reports.
Chelsea are targeting a new winger after deciding to pay a £5m penalty to send Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United.
Manchester United summer signings
IN
- Matheus Cunha
OUT
- Christian Eriksen
- Jonny Evans
- Victor Lindelof
TARGETS
- Viktor Gyokeres
- Bryan Mbeumo
- Victor Osimhen
- Mohammed Kudus
- Hugo Ekitike
Sancho was keen to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge but contracts talks broke down, leaving the England international facing an uncertain future.
Gittens is Chelsea’s top target to replace Sancho but have also shown interest in Brighton’s Joao Pedro and Lyon’s Malick Fofana.
Chelsea are not expected to sign another striker following Liam Delap’s £30m move from Ipswich Town but will bring in a new winger and Gittens is the most likely candidate at this stage.
Joao Félix, Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk are all free to leave and Chelsea are even open to offers for Noni Madueke, who they signed for £30m.
Manchester United’s interest in Kudus comes as Amorim prepares to sanction the departures of Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Antony.
Serie A champions Napoli are the frontrunners to sign Sancho, who cost United £73, while Rashford is dreaming of a summer move to Barcelona.
Antony, meanwhile, is open to a return to Real Betis – where he spent the second-half of last season – but would need to take a significant pay cut.
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