Mohammed Kudus: The contenders to sign £85m West Ham star - ranked | OneFootball

West Ham have been able to cultivate some stellar talent in recent years, but none more gifted than Mohammed Kudus.

The Ghanaian international broke onto the European scene with Ajax and garnered the aristocracy's attention. However, it looked like the typically savvy Brighton were bound to land another gem having agreed a deal with the Dutch club, before the Hammers, who entered negotiations with a swagger off the back of their Conference League triumph, swooped and secured the services of Ghana's budding superstar.

Kudus was excellent in a transition-heavy side last term and has been limited to mere flashes due to a lenghty suspension under Julen Lopetegui this time around.

The 24-year-old has shown an ability to perform a litany of roles to a very high level, and the ease at which he's taken to the Premier League means clubs remain on red alert. Reports of a £85m release clause have got potential suitors considering their 2025 transfer plans, with interest in Kudus still rife.

Here's how 90min ranks the Ghanaian's potential destinations based on suitability, the club's needs and likelihood of the deal happening.

5. Saudi Pro League

Al Ittihad were linked with Kudus in the summer / Khalid Alhaj/MB Media/GettyImages

With the 2034 World Cup officially confirmed as Saudi Arabia's, expect the string pullers in the Gulf to embark on a bullish 2025 on the transfer front. They've been able to attract an impressive group of European talent to their Pro League so far, but we're yet to see too many stars who aren't past their prime opt for a Saudi adventure. Kudus, given his talent, would be a big coup for the division. Al Ittihad were linked in the summer, and the PIF-backed clubs of course have the cash to trigger the playmaker's West Ham release clause. However, the 24-year-old surely isn't ready for a European exit just yet. Kudus will not be shy of options if he pushes for a move out of east London, with wiser career choices bound to be on the table.

4. Newcastle

Kudus scored at St. James' Park last season / Stu Forster/GettyImages

The remaining clubs that have so far been linked with a Kudus move are all very familiar with what the Ghanaian is capable of. Last season, St James' Park caught a first-hand glimpse of Kudus' brilliance as the playmaker scored West Ham's second in a 4-3 defeat for the Hammers.A move to Tyneside would perhaps be somewhat of a sideways move for Kudus given Newcastle's issues over the past 18 months, but the Magpies are laden with ambition and Kudus is the sort of signing that would convince the likes of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes to remain at the club.With Eddie Howe well-stocked in his midfield engine room, Kudus would likely occupy one of the flanks. Newcastle desperately need an upgrade down the right, and the addition of the Ghanaian would allow Howe to deploy an absolute box-office frontline comprised of Anthony Gordon, Isak and Kudus. Woof.

3. Liverpool

Liverpool need a Mohammed Salah succession plan / Eric Alonso/GettyImages

Mohamed Salah remains an inevitable force down Liverpool's right, but he's not going to be around forever. The Reds did superbly to acquire Federico Chiesa for a bargain in the summer, but the Italian's fitness woes beg the question of whether he can actually be relied upon. You can't replace Salah with one body, but Kudus would doubtlessly be an excellent addition to Arne Slot's Reds. The Ghanaian could fill in down either flank or be thrust into the limelight as the Dutchman's #10 - supplying what Dominik Szoboszlai lacks in subtlety and technical mastery. Liverpool are huge admirers of Kudus and he'd seem to fit the Michael Edwards ideal, but the Reds won't be brokering a £85m deal in the January transfer window.

2. Man City

Anyone will do for the champions / Carl Recine/GettyImages

Man City need players. They'd take anybody. Well, you'd have to be under the age of 30, ideally, and pretty good at the sport, too. Kudus is both of those things. The Cityzens' rebuild begins in January, and it seems as if the perennial Premier League champions will turn to the best their current domestic rivals boast as a means of hastening their recovery. Kudus is no defensive machine, but he is mightily athletic and City have sorely lacked physicality this term. While Guardiola could shunt the Ghanaian out wide, Kudus would do immense damage from the sort of positions Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden typically operate. The 24-year-old would have to alter his profile somewhat to thrive under Guardiola, but there's no denying that Kudus provides plenty of what the champions currently lack. In addition to his athleticism and direct ball-carrying, Kudus is a distinct scoring threat. The Cityzens desperately need an array of scorers given their recent malaise amid an Erling Haaland barren run.City are going to spend big next year, and Kudus may well be one of the building blocks for the next great iteration of Guardiola's side.

1. Arsenal

Arsenal need another superstar to complement Bukayo Saka / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

At times, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are a tough watch, but they remain an excellent side that's still capable of winning the Premier League title. However, many are skeptical of their chances given their inconsistent attacking performances and reliance on Bukayo Saka. Arsenal have often appeared unbalanced and one-dimensional this term, but Saka's output and set pieces have kept them in a decent enough position.Their current crop of attackers surely isn't capable of thrusting Arteta's side to the title. They need one more. Once news of Kudus' potential availability surfaced, Gooner ears pricked up. He could be the guy.Kudus could operate off the left, but Arteta would have to alter his dynamics to ensure the Ghanaian is operating from the half-space as much as possible. He could also ditch the duel-winning of Mikel Merino for Kudus' guile and craft in Arsenal's midfield three. Having Martin Odegaard and Kudus operating in tandem would surely take the Gunners' possession play into another realm. While a semblance of control would be compromised, Kudus' addition would offer Arsenal great balance and further diversify their attack. He's surely a tempting option in January.