06 August 2023 , 01:00
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Arsenal and Chelsea look set to miss out on Mohammed Kudus with the midfielder close to joining Brighton.
The Ajax star has seen his stock rise and several leading Premier League outfits were linked with a move for the Ghanaian. The Seagulls though look to have stolen a march and a deal worth £34.5m - which exceeds the club-record fee they paid earlier this summer to land Joao Pedro - now looks to be close.
Kudus has agreed personal terms with Brighton whose manager Roberto De Zerbi has driven the move, having identified the Ajax man as a key target. The Ghana international rejected a new deal in Amsterdam earlier this year and was keen to leave the Dutch capital, reports the Athletic.
Chelsea reportedly made contact with Ajax recently to express an interest in Kudus, but have since pursued other targets. Brighton have qualified for Europe for the first time following the highest finish in their history last term and have cash to spend following several notable exits.
The midfielder has spent three seasons with Ajax, scoring 16 goals in 63 Eredivisie matches. He has also notched seven times in 24 appearances for Ghana, including two at the World Cup last winter. Kudus will represent a huge profit for the Dutch side after Ajax spent £8m to land him from FC Nordsjaelland in 2020.
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So far this summer Brighton have also landed Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht for £16m with James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud also arriving on a free transfer. The Seagulls have so far resisted offers from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo, who has been a leading light at the Amex and would command a huge fee were he to leave.
Mohammed Kudus has rejected a new deal at Ajax (Getty Images)Chelsea have added his former goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, a Spanish international, for around £25m. The shot stopper will now provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea have seen a host of players leave Stamford Bridge this summer and Mauricio Pochettino is still looking to put his stamp on the squad. Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have been major additions in the final third in recent months.
Arsenal meanwhile have spent over £200m on new talent, including the club-record capture of Declan Rice from West Ham. Mikel Arteta's final weeks of the transfer window will likely be focused on getting players off the books at the Emirates.