West Ham United in desperate battle to keep Mohammed Kudus amid Al-Ittihad development

West Ham United may face a fight to keep Mohammed Kudus this summer with Al-Ittihad potentially readying a bid for the forward, according to ESPN.

As reported by Rob Dawson [19 June], the Hammers are "desperate" to keep the 23-year-old, who has made 14 goal contributions in the Premier League since arriving from Ajax last year.

The Ghanaian has been linked away from the London Stadium since his first season, with Al-Ittihad certainly boasting the financial power to look to turn the heads of Kudus' camp.

The club currently have Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho amongst their ranks, finishing fifth last season in the Saudi Pro League.

West Ham United face battle to keep Mohammed Kudus

Football's newly-arrived financial powerhouse of Saudi Arabia has certainly sent shockwaves through the sport in the past 18 months, and Kudus could be the latest to continue his trade in the Middle East.

With a transition taking place throughout the West Ham squad as Julen Lopetegui begins his stint in East London, Kudus will be one man the club are keen to keep for the long-term, and will want to convince the attacker that the best place to continue into his prime will be the London Stadium.

Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United have reportedly kept Kudus on their radar this summer should the Ghana international opt to stay in England, though it's likely any financial package will be raised by the Jeddah-based outfit.

West Ham hold all the cards, given that the talented gem is under contract for the long-term, but we know all about Saudi Arabia and the sums of money on offer. Let's just hope this one does not develop any further.

In other West Ham news, the club are closing in on an experienced Premier League goalkeeper.

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