Arsenal want ‘unbelievable’ £85m forward, he’s fully open to leaving his club – report | OneFootball

Arsenal are monitoring the situation of West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus ahead of next summer, but the Hammers are expected to stand firm on his £85 million release clause, according to the Daily Mail.

The Gunners were linked with an interest in the Ghana international before he moved to the London Stadium club in the summer of 2023 from Ajax, and they remain keen on recruiting his services.

However, they may need to break the bank for him as West Ham are bracing themselves for offers for the 24-year-old at the end of the season.

The ‘unbelievable’ Kudus is fully open to leaving the Hammers for a Champions League club, and Arsenal have turned into Premier League title challengers over the last two campaigns, finishing second in each.

However, his £85m release clause will re-activate in the next summer window, and the fact that he still has over three years left on his contract means West Ham are not under any pressure to sell him anytime soon.

Liverpool are also keen on Kudus, but both them and the Gunners could decide to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements if his asking price is not reduced.

He has two goals and an assist in ten games so far in 2024-25 after ending last term with 18 goals and seven assists in 48 games.

Kudus can play on both wings and through the middle, with his dribbling and defensive contributions his key strengths, and Arsenal could do with such a versatile and quality attacker in their bid to become a more dominant force in England and Europe.

However, they have Profit and Sustainability rules to worry about, which could see them refuse to activate his buyout clause and look at cheaper options like RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, who has a £55m release clause.