West Ham United transfer update emerges amid talks with Mohammed Kudus amid Lucas Paqueta to Manchester City collapse – Sky Sports
Tim Steidten is still in the Netherlands having talks over bring Mohammed Kudus to West Ham and the move is now “independent” from developments with Lucas Paqueta, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster reported on their online transfer liveblog on Friday afternoon (18 August) that the Hammers technical director is still pursuing the Ghanaian attacker as their interest was “live” before the approach from Manchester City for their Brazilian star.
Since it appears Paqueta’s exit to the Etihad is now off, Sky Sports report: “West Ham don’t want to leave themselves short if a deal for the Brazil international resurfaces late in the window.”
Fabrizio Romano had reported on his Daily Briefing on 17 August that the interest in Kudus was heightened in the event of Paqueta leaving, but Sky Sports reported in an earlier update on Friday that the exit was now “90% off”.
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg reported on 17 August that the Kudus deal could be worth as much as £40million.
Push through
This is unfamiliar territory for West Ham fans this summer as it looks like the two pieces of good news have arrived at once.
Until the window shuts nothing can be certain but if Paqueta stays and Kudus arrives to boost the attack along with him David Moyes will have been on the receiving end of a major boost.
Keeping hold of a player who has already adapted to the Scot’s methods and the Premier League might be as beneficial as adding a very sought-after attacker, who has been linked with Chelsea and Brighton this summer, but has alerted some of the biggest sides in England and Europe in the past year [90min, 26 June].
If was evident that the West Ham side needed strengthening in certain areas even before there were major exits this summer.
Declan Rice’s departure has finally been accounted for, even if extra depth in midfield still wouldn’t go amiss, and Kudus would help fill the gap left by Gianluca Scamacca, as long as Paqueta remains at the London Stadium.
Kudus, 23, came fairly close to moving to Everton a year ago but instead put together an excellent season for Ajax, scoring 18 goals and laying on seven assists across all competitions while playing in a variety of positions.
There hasn’t been a huge amount to shout about during this transfer window, but bringing in Kudus certainly looks like it would be one thing, and if it happens in conjunction with Paqueta staying put it will be all the more exciting for the fanbase.
In other West Ham news, a goalscoring Chelsea and Tottenham target wants an Irons move instead of their London rivals.