Arsenal given transfer boost amid agent admission and 'better than Antony' claim

18 July 2023 , 19:13

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Arsenal given transfer boost amid agent admission and 'better than Antony' claim

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants to make Ajax forward Mohammed Kudus his fourth signing of the summer transfer window.

The Ghanaian’s agent Jennifer Mendelewitsch has already admitted that the 22-year-old is likely to be on the move this summer. Kudus enjoyed an impressive campaign individually for the Amsterdam giants – netting 18 goals across all competitions – in an otherwise difficult season for the club.

Dutch football legend Marco Van Basten has also been particularly complimentary of Kudus, claiming that the forward was an upgrade on Antony – who the Eredivisie giants sold last summer to Manchester United for a club record fee.

The Gunners have been incredibly busy already in the transfer market, having already signed defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax. That followed the signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea and the addition of Declan Rice on Saturday in a move that smashed the Gunners club record transfer fee – bringing their total spending this summer past the £200million mark.

Arteta is aware that more exits from the club are required before any move is launched for Kudus. A report in the Mail adds that the attacker is now the club’s number one target, but their priority is to cash-in on first-team squad players, having already sold Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen.

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The north London club will listen to offers for players such as Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney, Cedric Soares, Nicolas Pepe, Albert Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Rob Holding – with the Gunners keen to reduce quantity and prioritise quality in their ranks, while Folarin Balogun may also be sold.

Kudus starred for Ajax last season - bagging 18 goals across all competitions (NESimages/Geert van Erven/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

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Kudus’s agent Mendelewitsch told outlet De Telegraaf two months ago, in a hint that he would be on the move this summer: “I think it is best for both Ajax and Mohammed that he makes a transfer now.

“Now is the right time. He has ignored a proposal to extend his contract until the summer of 2026. What I can say is that after the World Cup and this season there is a lot of interest in Kudus.”

Ajax signed Kudus from Danish club Nordsjælland in 2020 and while he played under current Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag for two seasons, it was once the boss departed a year ago that he enjoyed a true breakthrough in Amsterdam – helping to replace the loss of attacking talent.

Dutch football legend Van Basten raved about his season, telling Ziggo Sport : "I find Mohammed Kudus a much better football player than Antony. Antony has his skills, but he is confused with the things he is trying to do! Kudus has much better technique and he knows what he is doing. Antony may be faster, but Kudus is smarter and more technical.

"He is much more of a footballer, you can place him anywhere on the pitch, an all-rounder for the team." The Dutch great then added: "In fact, I like him much better than Antony. He’s more fun to watch play."

Kudus effectively replaced Antony on the right side of a three-man Ajax attacking unit. Brazilian forward Antony scored eight goals in 44 appearances during his debut season for United.

Colin Millar