Arsenal could now hold the key to the future of Mohammed Kudus as Tottenham Hotspur make a shock U-turn on the West Ham star with Chelsea waiting to pounce.
The Hammers are almost entirely dependent on the sale of Mohammed Kudus for their own transfer plans this summer and it has now turned into a four-way battle of London.
Tottenham have been in the box seat to sign Kudus from West Ham, amid much anger from Hammers fans.
But there has been a belief – and hope – Chelsea will be making their play for West Ham’s Ghanaian attacker too.
Arsenal, who were among those most heavily linked with Kudus over the last year, are also in the market for wide forward players.
Now the situation has taken a major twist amid growing belief that a new bid will be imminent.
Hammers News exclusively revealed Kudus does not want to take part in contact West Ham training while he awaits a move with Spurs and Chelsea jostling.
Arsenal deal now absolutely key as Spurs make U-turn on Kudus
Tottenham chief Daniel Levy has seen three offers for Kudus rejected so far.
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But it was actually Spurs’ big rivals Arsenal who set a ridiculously low benchmark for the bidding at £50m – some £15m off what the Hammers want.
West Ham’s board revealed they would ‘laugh off’ an Arsenal offer of £50m for Kudus when speculation was rife they wanted the 24-year-old last month.
Since then the Irons have held two rounds of talks with Chelsea over a potential deal with Todd Boehly and co since mulling a move.
It is Tottenham who have taken the most affirmative action, though, twice making £50m bids with differing payment terms.
That was before Spurs saw a new offer of £62.5m flatly rejected by Hammers chief David Sullivan after it emerged £10m of it was tied to Thomas Frank’s side winning the Premier League and Champions League.
Kudus has angered West Ham supporters after leaks he only wants Tottenham over any other clubs, including Chelsea.
Previously the man who is West Ham’s sacrificial lamb to fund Graham Potter’s rebuild was said to be keen on a move to the Gunners.
Speculation ignited when Kudus was spotted at Arsenal last season, just days after a big bust-up at West Ham.
Now an Arsenal deal is absolutely key as Spurs make a big U-turn on West Ham star Kudus with Chelsea lurking.
Top Hammers insider Sean Whetstone, a close confidant of majority owner Sullivan, has revealed Tottenham have cooled on Kudus.
Levy cools on eager Kudus with Chelsea lurking
And it comes just as Arsenal and Chelsea could be about to make the situation a lot more serious.
Levy is under pressure to make a signing for Frank after missing out on Antoine Semenyo, Bryan Mbeumo and with Arsenal looking favourites for Eberechi Eze.
But West Ham were left dumbstruck by Levy’s latest Kudus offer.
Now Whetstone claims his club source, believed to be Sullivan, is not convinced Spurs will return with an improved number – whether informal or formal.
He states on Claret and Hugh that there is now real doubt over Tottenham’s Kudus move.
It is even claimed Kudus and his new agents ROOF are the ones pushing the Spurs agenda more than the other way around in a desperate attempt to get him out of West Ham.
Unless the Tottenham situation changes, Hammers hopes now rest on Chelsea and Arsenal it seems.
Enzo Maresca publicly admitted Chelsea’s interest in Kudus for the first time at the weekend.
The Blues have been preoccupied making the final of the Club World Cup – already banking over £80m with another £40m up for grabs if they lift the trophy.
But with Noni Madueke closing in on a move to Arsenal, West Ham are expecting and hoping the Blues bid for Kudus imminently.
Enzo Maresca has already confirmed he is in the market for a new winger who can also play as a second striker.
The former Hammers assistant coach has put on record that he likes Kudus.
He’s not alone at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea star Cole Palmer raved about Kudus too.
Chelsea are expecting an official bid from Arsenal for Madueke, which is said to be ‘incoming’.
Reports have claimed it is a deal all parties are keen to complete with personal terms already agreed in the background.
Madueke joining Arsenal may trigger Chelsea bid to West Ham
Fabrizio Romano commented on Sunday: “Understand Arsenal are set to send opening bid for Noni Madueke after agreement with the player on personal terms.”
Should the Gunners finalise what would be a somewhat surprise transfer to bring Madueke to the Emirates, then it is anticipated Chelsea will launch their own official bid in West Ham’s direction for Kudus.
Whether that will change Levy’s supposed stance remains to be seen.
The Hammers will clearly hope for some kind of auction with Tottenham and Chelsea involved.
The Arsenal deal for Madueke is now key to the entire Kudus situation.
And if that falls through, it will be interesting to see whether Mikel Arteta turns his attentions back to West Ham for Kudus.
If not then it could actually play into Levy’s hands by making Spurs the only show in town and leaving West Ham stuck between a rock and a hard place in having to sell to them for a lower fee just to bring some cash in.