Revealed: Kudus REJECTED late HIJACK to join West Ham

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 28 Aug 2023 07:16 CDT
• 4 min read

West Ham United new boy Mohammed Kudus rejected a late hijack attempt from Chelsea in order to sign for the Hammers, according to reports.

The Ghana international was unveiled as West Ham’s latest addition on Sunday following his move from Ajax, which could reach €44.5 million if add-ons are met.

Kudus, 22, had attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United earlier in the window, while Brighton even had a bid accepted by Ajax before he chose to join West Ham.

READ MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

It has now been reported that Chelsea made a late play for Kudus, but the Ghanaian rejected the chance to sign for the Blues as his heart was set on joining West Ham.

That is according to Ex-WHU Employee, who revealed that Chelsea’s hijack attempt was rebuffed by Kudus himself.

It’s the second major blow that West Ham have dealt Chelsea in the past two weeks after David Moyes’ side ran out 3-1 winners over the Blues on 20 August, thanks to goals from Nayef Aguerd, Michail Antonio and Lucas Paqueta.

EXCLUSIVE: West Ham ace Michail Antonio wishes to leave if club sign Youssef En-Nesyri

Saudi Arabia wanted Kudus too

Furthermore, Le Parisien have reported that Saudi Pro League outfits Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad registered interest in signing Kudus, but he rebuffed their attempts to land him in order to join West Ham.

Kudus netted 18 goals and provided seven assists in all competitions for Ajax last term, while he bagged four goals and one assist in his opening three matches of the 2023-24 season.

The 22-year-old could make his West Ham debut against Luton Town on Friday night.

He is one of four summer signings at West Ham, with Moyes reinvesting the money earned through the €115m sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

Edson Alvarez (€38m), James Ward-Prowse (€34.8m), and Konstantinos Mavropanos (€20m) have also joined the club this window.

Interest in Man Utd duo Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay has been reignited - as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers - with West Ham eyeing up a double swoop for the Red Devils pair.

Trending

What are the most expensive transfers of all time? The 50 highest fees in history

Osimhen CONTACT made as €81m price confirmed

Premier League managers: Full list of current bosses