Mohammed Kudus was surprised when Tottenham Hotspur expressed interest in recruiting his services during the summer transfer window, according to The Athletic.
The 25-year-old attacker agreed personal terms with Chelsea but it was the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium club that ended up signing him in a £55 million deal.
The Blues were the front-runners to sign Kudus from West Ham United having initially expressed interest in him in May.
However, Chelsea did not show enough commitment, and he had a change of mind when he was informed about interest from a club he did not expect to be in the mix for his signature while on holiday.
Kudus eventually gave Spurs his word he would join after the Lilywhites demanded assurances from him as they feared the Blues could hijack the move.
The Ghana international felt he would get more playing chances at Tottenham, and he has been proven right so far.
He played 80 minutes against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup and has started in all three Premier League games the North London club have played in 2025-26, weighing in with two assists.
Kudus will be facing his old club on Saturday when Premier League action resumes but is not concerned about the volatile reception he could receive at the London Stadium.
He was willing to leave West Ham after just a season but could not as suitors were unwilling to activate his £85m release clause.
Kudus has got his wish, with the availability of Champions League football at Tottenham playing a huge role in his decision.
He has hit the ground running at his new club and will be desperate to prove the likes of Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher wrong.