Talk of West Ham attempting to charge Tottenham Hotspur a so-called “Spurs tax” over the sale of Mohammed Kudus is completely laughable.
Not that I’d disagree with the concept, you understand—after all, it was Spurs who once let it be known that they’d no longer do transfer business with West Ham.
So, if the Hammers hierarchy decided to respond with a tit-for-tat ‘Tottenham tax’, I’d completely understand it. In fact, I’d defend the club’s right to charge them more. But let’s be clear—that’s not what’s happening here.
Despite various reports, including one from TalkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, suggesting a conspiracy is afoot, I don’t believe it for a second.
The theory goes that, due to historic tension and London rivalry between the clubs, West Ham are demanding more from Spurs for Kudus than they would from any other buyer.
It’s nonsense.
Kudus has an £85 million buyout clause—that’s his actual price to everyone any club is welcome to activate it. However, it’s widely accepted that West Ham would settle for a £65 million offer.
Tottenham’s problem isn’t a mysterious surcharge—it’s the fact that they’ve offered nothing close to what West Ham are asking. Yet rather than pay the going rate Spurs would seemingly rather imagine there is some pricing conspiracy against them.
Personally, I’d rather West Ham walk away and either keep Kudus or sell him to Chelsea. The fact Spurs are now briefing the media and playing the victim, simply because they can’t sign someone else’s player for the price they’d prefer, is ridiculous.
The Kudus transfer should be one of the easiest of the summer: the player wants to leave, there’s a clause in place, and the fee is well known. Simple!
The only issue? Daniel Levy just doesn’t want to pay the price.