Chelsea’s attempt to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United has been rejected. The London club proposed a player-plus-cash deal, but West Ham declined.
Kudus has attracted interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, including Al Nassr, which considered an £85m bid.
However, the 24-year-old prefers to stay in the Premier League and has turned down Saudi interest.
Kudus has two release clauses: a £120m clause for Saudi clubs and an £85m clause for Premier League clubs, which is active this summer. Chelsea is keen on strengthening their squad before the Club World Cup and has already signed Liam Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m.
Delap has signed a six-year contract with Chelsea, praising the club’s stature and trajectory under the current head coach. Kudus’s potential transfer remains uncertain, but Chelsea’s interest in him continues. West Ham may need to be convinced with a substantial offer to sell Kudus, who has made 80 appearances for the club, scoring 19 goals and providing 10 assists. The Hammers finished 14th in the Premier League last season, while Kudus played a key role in the team.
