Chelsea close to agreeing personal terms with Arsenal target to hijack move

Chelsea are close to agreeing personal terms with Mohammed Kudus Kudus having reached out to Ajax to express their interest in signing the attacking midfielder.

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A number of Premier League sides are eager to sign the Ghana international with Arsenal and Brighton among them.

The Gunners, who have already spent £200million to bring in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, want to bring him to the Emirates this summer but are currently focused on trimming their squad to raise additional transfer funds.

According to The Athletic, however, Chelsea are ready to hijack the move. Talks have already taken place with the player and his representative with Kudus eager to make the move to west London.

The Blues are yet to submit an offer to Ajax but initial talks have taken place. The Dutch giants are believed to have set a price tag of around £40million for the 22-year-old.

Manchester United are also admirers of Kudus with Erik ten Hag believed to be keen on bringing him to Old Trafford following their success together at Ajax.

Arsenal may have to move quickly to rival Chelsea’s efforts but sporting director Edu is focused on outgoing deals with Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding, Nicolas Pepe, Albert Lokonga and Cedric Soares among those who could be moved on.

Thomas Partey’s future has also come under scrutiny and would likely be one of the squad’s more valuable assets were Arsenal decide to sell.

Mikel Arteta however has indicated he wishes to keep the former Atletico Madrid star. ‘Thomas Partey is a super important player for us and for me and we want him to be in the team, that’s for sure.’

Mauricio Pochettino meanwhile is keen for Chelsea to wrap up their summer business as early as possible.

‘It is clear that any coach would want to close the squad as soon as possible,’ Pochettino said on Friday.

‘If it’s possible, yes bring the player here to the USA. If not, it’s not a problem. I’m happy with how we are working in this process to improve the squad.

‘The sporting directors, the board are working so hard to bring the right people and right players and profile to the squad. I’m so happy in the way they are working.’

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