Chelsea were interested in signing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, but the versatile attacker has ended up at Tottenham Hotspur instead.
The Chelsea Chronicle was told that Chelsea offered West Ham some of their players in a bid to land Kudus; however, the Hammers always preferred a straight cash deal.
The above is not the only reason why the Blues were unable to sign the 24-year-old from their London rivals, though.
It has been claimed that Kudus made one demand that Chelsea were not interested in entertaining.
Mohammed Kudus wanted to play centrally at Chelsea
While Kudus can play anywhere across the frontline, it looks like the Ghanaian wanted to be used in a central position at Chelsea.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Kudus was keen to start there, but Chelsea envisioned him on the right.
As a result of that and his price tag, Chelsea “pulled away” from a transfer, Phillips shared on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea.
With Cole Palmer being the team’s first-choice No.10, it was obviously not a guarantee that the Blues could give Kudus.
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Palmer proved why he is the first-choice attacking midfielder at Stamford Bridge in the Club World Cup final last Sunday as the Englishman helped his side to beat Paris Saint-Germain.
Palmer scored twice before setting up new signing Joao Pedro, with both players bagging three goals each at the tournament.
Pedro Neto can soften Mohammed Kudus blow
Chelsea have Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian for the right flank, so missing out on Kudus is not the end of the world.
Neto was exceptional at the Club World Cup. If the Portuguese can replicate the form that he showed in America next season, then Chelsea fans will quickly forget about Kudus.
In the six appearances that Neto made at the tournament, the 25-year-old managed to score three goals. He is a big reason why Chelsea went on to win the whole thing.