Man Utd interested in signing Ajax's Mohammed Kudus on loan

Cameron Smith

• 5 Jan 2023 13:08 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Ajax star Mohammed Kudus this month.

Erik ten Hag, who left Ajax last summer to become the Red Devils' head coach, signed Lisandro Martinez and Antony from his former club during the summer transfer window, and is now in the hunt for another of his former pupils.

According to 90min, Man Utd are keen on signing Kudus in January, and are likely to see if an initial loan and buy later deal is possible.

READ: Man Utd and Liverpool transfer target Kudus has ‘absolutely everything’

The Old Trafford side are in the market for a new forward following Cristiano Ronaldo's contract termination before the World Cup. Furthermore, Jadon Sancho is currently undergoing an individual training programme away from the club, leaving them with just Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho as senior attacking options.

Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix is also being pursued, with Man Utd again hopeful of signing him on a loan deal.

READ: Man Utd prepare cheeky loan offer for Joao Felix

Kudus to Old Trafford?

Kudus, 22, joined Ajax from Nordsjaelland back in 2017 for €9 million, and has struggled with injury problems during much of Ten Hag's time in charge at the club. However, he's been a revelation this season and has notched 10 goals and two assists in all competitions so far this campaign.

Kudus has played a multitude of positions this season, including as a winger and as an attacking midfielder, which is his natural position, but Sebastian Haller's summer departure left a void in the central striker position and Kudus has regularly played in that role this year.

All five of his starts in the Champions League have come as a striker, while four of his five league starts have been up front too. Most of his league appearances have come as a substitute, with Brian Brobbey often preferred through the middle.

His contract in Amsterdam isn't set to expire until 2025, meaning Man Utd will likely have to fork out a decent fee in order to land the Ghanian, who netted three times at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Although not a conventional striker, Kudus is a player who drops deep and links play as a striker, and given his history as more of a number 10, his creativity is a massive asset.