Report: Spurs continue talks as West Ham weigh up Kudus sale | OneFootball

Kudus to Spurs? West Ham Face Familiar Dilemma in Transfer Tug-of-War

The possibility of Mohammed Kudus moving from West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur is stirring painful memories in East London. It is not the first time a Hammers favourite has courted interest from their north London rivals, but it is just as uncomfortable now as it was when Scott Parker made the same switch more than a decade ago.

On the surface, this appears to be a routine transfer story. A talented player seeks European football, a buying club presents the opportunity, and negotiations commence. Yet for West Ham fans, this is more than a matter of money or ambition. It touches on identity, rivalry and the delicate thread that links loyalty to progress.

Kudus has become the centrepiece of a summer saga that could define the start of Graham Potter’s reign as West Ham manager. While Tottenham have already had a £50 million bid rejected, talks remain ongoing. Personal terms would not be an issue, with the 24-year-old Ghanaian international open to a switch to north London.

Photo IMAGO

European ambition driving Kudus interest

Much like Parker’s move to Spurs in 2011, Kudus’ desire to join a side playing in Europe is clear. Tottenham, fresh from their Europa League triumph, will play in the Champions League next season, a stage Kudus is eager to return to. His contract, set to expire in 2028, includes a buyout clause which was active during the first ten days of July: £80 million for European clubs, £85 million for Premier League sides and £120 million for Saudi Arabian teams. Despite receiving lucrative offers from the Middle East, Kudus has no interest in moving there.

While he will not actively force a move, Kudus has made it known he does not intend to remain in East London beyond the summer window. As painful as a deal with Spurs would be for the fanbase, West Ham may have little choice. The club needs to sell in order to buy and Kudus represents their most valuable asset.

Captain Jarrod Bowen is not for sale and Lucas Paquetá’s future remains uncertain, leaving Kudus as the logical source of funds to kick-start the rebuild under Potter.

Rebuild plans depend on player sales

Selling Kudus would give West Ham financial room to manoeuvre in the market. Departures of Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell and Danny Ings, as well as Michail Antonio’s contract expiry, have left Potter with a squad thin on depth and heavy on uncertainty. Funds from Kudus’ potential exit could help bring in players suited to the manager’s system and philosophy.

Potter has inherited a squad in transition, and like any new coach, needs the tools to shape it. The club paid €41.5 million to Ajax to sign Kudus in 2023 and hope for a strong return on that investment. Yet the decision is not just financial, it is emotional too. Past experiences with Tottenham only fuel that tension.

Fans have long memories. Scott Parker, once adored, received a chorus of boos upon returning to Upton Park with Spurs. “I didn’t expect the West Ham fans to boo me and obviously it was a little bit upsetting,” Parker admitted. “I don’t know why they did it. I don’t know if it’s because I went to their local rivals. I’m not sure but I just would have liked to think that maybe I would have got a better reception after what I did in my time here.”

Photo: IMAGO

Kudus’ form leaves questions but quality remains

By his own standards, Kudus had a disappointing 2024-25 season, registering five goals and four assists in 35 appearances. Disruption behind the scenes, including the departure of first-team coach John Heitinga to Liverpool and a strained relationship with former manager Julen Lopetegui, contributed to that dip in form.

Still, memories of his debut season remain strong. He scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists across 48 appearances, with standout moments including a stunning solo goal against Freiburg and an acrobatic finish against Manchester City. It is this version of Kudus that Spurs hope to reignite under Thomas Frank.

At West Ham, he was deployed in various roles across the frontline, but his preferred position is on the right flank, currently occupied by Bowen. This positional conflict, along with his European ambition, has made the situation difficult to manage for all parties.

Historically, the idea of West Ham being viewed as a ‘feeder club’ to Spurs stings. The early 2000s saw Frederic Kanoute, Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick all make the move across London. West Ham supporters do not want history repeating itself.

Yet in this case, the move may serve all involved. For Kudus, it is a step towards top-level European competition. For West Ham, it is a financial injection required to fund a broader reset. Few at the London Stadium would choose Spurs as the buyer, but in a summer of hard truths, this may be one they have to accept.