Newcastle United looked at signing Mohammed Kudus, but he is officially a Tottenham Hotspur player.
Kudus was a Newcastle United target, with the Ghana international viewed as an alternative to Anthony Elanga.
However, Elanga is becoming a Newcastle United player, as Eddie Howe lands his top target.
As for Kudus, he has also got the move he has been looking for. Tottenham Hotspur have signed the 24-year-old from West Ham United for £55million, as he swaps east London for north London.
Mohammed Kudus inspired by Spurs project
Following the announcement of his move to Tottenham Hotspur, Kudus has spoken about why he chose to make the move from West Ham.
There are two key factors: The project at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the ability of Thomas Frank.
“The most important part of why I have come here is the project and how the manager sees I can develop under him,” he said.
“Where he has come from and seen the amount of talent he has developed to become great players is a big sign of why I wanted to work under him.”
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
When you consider why Kudus has joined Spurs, it only feels right to assume that a move to Newcastle United would have been appealing too. The Magpies also have an incredibly exciting project, as well as a manager in Eddie Howe who is an expert at making players better.
But Howe wanted Elanga, with the Swedish attacker seen as a perfect fit for what he wants to achieve at St James’ Park.
Frank will hope that Kudus is equally as perfect for his Spurs side.
There is huge excitement surrounding Elanga’s arrival at St James’ Park, but Kudus is another player who would have been a hit with the Toon Army.
From Allan Saint-Maximin to Hatem Ben Arfa, Newcastle United supporters absolutely love maverick wingers. They are the type of players that you pay to see, getting fans on the edge of their seats every time they get the ball.
That is what Kudus is hoping to bring to Spurs, with the former Ajax attacker explaining what type of player he is.
“I’m a very direct winger, strong, very good in taking players on and creating chances, so there is a lot of flair in my game,” he said.
“I like to entertain the fans as well. That’s what football is about – it’s putting a memory in the heads of the fans that they have when they go back home, and after the money they’ve spent to buy a ticket.
“Although there is also a lot of seriousness and competitiveness in the game, I still think it’s a sport I try to enjoy as much as I can and give the fans something to enjoy too.
“I hope fans are going to really enjoy what I’m going to bring to the team here.”
While Kudus prepares to dazzle Spurs fans with his flair and trickery, it will be raw speed and assists that endear Elanga to the Toon Army.
He can provide the consistency that Howe wants from his wingers, as he gets set to compete with Jacob Murphy for a place in the Magpies’ starting XI.