LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: . corner flag in the stadium of West Ham United prior to the UEFA Europa Conference League group B match between West Ham United and RSC Anderlecht at London Stadium on October 13, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
West Ham finalising Mohammed Kudus signing after late-night talks – sources
West Ham are pushing ahead on Sunday with a deal to sign Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus despite Man City pulling the plug on their Lucas Paqueta pursuit, sources have told Football Insider.
The Irons have held extensive talks with their Dutch counterparts, including on Saturday night, over a deal for the 23-year-old and have had an offer rejected.
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten has been in Amsterdam over the last week trying to complete a deal for the Ghana international.
Kudus is believed to be keen to move to the Premier League after previous moves fell through late on.
Kudus came close to a move to Serie A last week and has been on the radar of multiple leading English clubs this summer, including Chelsea and Brighton.
However, West Ham have agreed personal terms with Kudus and are closing in on a full agreement as they look to negotiate the final structure of payments with Ajax.
The Seagulls reportedly agreed a £35million fee for Kudus earlier this summer but failed to complete the signing after a dispute over the involvement of a release clause in his contract.
The Ajax star has got off to a brilliant start in the 2023/24 campaign, scoring in the opening weekend fixture against Heracles last weekend and assisting in a 2-2 draw with Excelsior on Saturday (19 August).
He has proven to be a reliable source of goals for the Dutch side after scoring 18 in 42 total appearances for Ajax last season.
Since signing for Ajax in 2020, Kudus has mostly been deployed on the right flank, but has also enjoyed spells in a central role under Erik ten Hag, Alfred Schreuder and now Maurice Steijn.
West Ham United transfer news as Konstantinos Mavropanos set to jet into London to complete move – David Ornstein
Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos is due to travel into London in the next 24 hours to seal his move to West Ham United, according to David Ornstein.
The Athletic journalist, taking to this personal Twitter account (19 August) shares that West Ham are set to seal their third signing of the summer with the Greek international now ready to travel to London to complete the transfer.
Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported on 18 August that Serie A clubs accepted defeat in the race for Mavropanos’ signature as they knew he was close to joining West Ham and the Irons have now got their defensive target after withdrawing their interest in Harry Maguire.
Ornstein tweeted: “Konstantinos Mavropanos due to travel to London in next 24hrs to complete West Ham United move from VfB Stuttgart.”
Exceptional business
After West Ham United knew they couldn’t get Maguire through the London Stadium doors, they moved swiftly and decisively to secure Mavropanos’ signature and what another exceptional business this is from David Moyes and Tim Steidten.
After completing deals for Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse, the Irons have addressed another priority position in the squad filling it with one of the German Bundesliga’s best defenders over the past two seasons.
The 25-year-old proved a key and influential commodity throughout last campaign, featuring in 28 league appearances, scoring twice despite Stuttgart narrowly avoiding relegation in the playoffs.
And his underlying stats make for sensational reading, marking him out as the complete defender who is certainly ready to make the huge step up this coming season.
Mavropanos ranks in several top defensive metrics of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, ranking in the 99th percentile for interceptions per 90, 92nd percentile for aerial duels won, 80th for tackles per 90 and also ranks as one of the most influential centre-backs on the continent for his progressive play and influence in the final third [FBRef].
West Ham United’s need for defensive reinforcement was abundantly clear and they’ve now secure a player finally ready to acclimatise to Premier League football after his failed Arsenal move earlier on in his career. Great business.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have entered the race to sign this incredibly gifted Portuguese attacker.
