Ajax director provides update on Arsenal, Chelsea-linked Mohammed Kudus

Ajax sporting director Sven Mislintat has insisted that there is nothing imminent regarding Mohammed Kudus despite the recent speculation surrounding the attacker.

The 22-year-old was in strong form for his Dutch club during the 2022-23 campaign, making 42 appearances in all competitions, scoring 18 goals and registering seven assists in the process.

Kudus also represented Ghana at the 2022 World Cup, scoring twice at the competition, and a number of clubs are believed to be interested in signing him this summer.

The attacker has another two years left to run on his contract in Amsterdam but could potentially be available for around £40m.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been heavily linked with the forward, although there have been contrasting reports surrounding a possible move to London.

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A recent report claimed that Chelsea were at the head of the queue, but Kudus is allegedly keen to join Arsenal over the Blues, who will not be in the Champions League during the 2023-24 campaign.

Mislintat has said that there have been 'informal enquiries' from clubs and admitted that a summer move was possible, but the Ajax sporting director has claimed that "the interest is not as serious as everyone thinks".

"There are clubs that have informally enquired about him," he told Ajax Life. "I don't expect an offer very soon, although you know that things can be different in the football world. Perhaps the interest is not as serious as everyone thinks."

Meanwhile, in a separate interview with Aglemeen Dagblad, he said: "There is no fixed deadline, but there are agreements we must have to get replacements if we have not already done so proactively.

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"The best thing is if Kudus and (Edson) Alvarez stay, then we keep two top players. But it is also possible that one goes, or both.

"It is important for us that the relationship with the players remains good. This can be done by being transparent and applying good principles. As we get closer to the deadline, the transfer fee, for example, goes up."

Manchester United are also said to be keeping a close eye on the developments, with the Red Devils putting together a list of alternatives to Atalanta BC forward Rasmus Hojlund.

Brighton & Hove Albion were linked with Kudus earlier this summer, meanwhile, but talk surrounding a potential move to the Amex has since quietened.

The attacker made the move to Ajax from Nordsjaelland in 2020, and he has represented the Eredivisie outfit on 84 occasions in all competitions, scoring 23 goals and registering 11 assists in the process.