Fabrizio Romano: West Ham United reach verbal agreement to sign Mohammed Kudus after ‘huge’ move by Tim Steidten
West Ham have reached a “verbal agreement” with Ajax to sign Mohammed Kudus after “huge work” from Tim Steidten, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian journalist reported via Twitter Friday (25 August) that a total package of €45million [£38.6m] has been settled on and a medical booked for Saturday.
German Steidten is credited with playing a major role in the success of the deal, with documents set to be signed within the next 48 hours to complete the move.
Kudus will join Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and Konstantinos Mavropanos as new signings at the London Stadium this summer.
Massive
Kudus already looked like a very strong target before he reminded everyone of his qualities with a hat-trick in his final Ajax game against Ludogorets on Thursday.
Steidten has been tailing the Ghanian international, 23, from Amsterdam to Bulgaria for the game as he looked to tie up what might be a crucial move late in the window.
Everyone involved was aware of the potential for a hijack given wide interest in the versatile attacker, but it appears the Irons man has pushed it through.
Until it is signed and announced nothing can be 100% guaranteed but the timetable is now set up for Kudus to complete his move a week after Mavropanos did from Stuttgart.
Assuming Kudus adapts quickly to the Premier League and to David Moyes’ set up he should provide a major boost to the attack, where Gianluca Scamacca and Manuel Lanzini have already gone and Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio have been heavily linked to exits.
It is another big fee to pay, but on paper it looks like there is every reason to have done so for a man who can play as a striker, out wide or in central midfield, and is certainly now the most exciting addition of the window.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have been offered another big money striker and talks have been held.