West Ham have moved to explain Mohammed Kudus’ training stance amid an expected move to either Spurs or Chelsea in the very near future.
As speculation over a big-money deal between the Hammers and London rivals Spurs or Chelsea continues to grow, there was a major development at Rush Green on the first day back at pre-season training.
It leaves no doubt that Mohammed Kudus’ head has been fully turned amid previous claims West Ham could hold on to the Ghana star if their £60m plus valuation was not met.
West Ham and fierce rivals Tottenham simply don’t do business. The two clubs don’t like each other, whether that be on the pitch, in the stands or in the boardroom – with a host of fallouts down the years.
Spurs leading Chelsea in race to sign West Ham’s Kudus
It’s why there have been no transfers between the two clubs since 2001.
But it is Tottenham who are currently leading Chelsea in the tussle to try and sign Kudus from West Ham.
But Enzo Maresca publicly admitted Chelsea’s interest in Kudus for the first time at the weekend.
With Noni Madueke closing in on a move to Arsenal, the Irons are expecting the Blues to rival Spurs with an official bid for Kudus imminently.
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The player himself has not helped his club or his reputation among Hammers fans over the weekend, though.
In fact Kudus enraged West Ham supporters after leaks that he only wants Tottenham over any other clubs, including Chelsea.
Pushing to join Spurs from West Ham will never go down well with fans.
And that information came from two reporters, David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano, which dispels conspiracy theories it was intel leaked by the Hammers to paint Kudus as a villain ahead of what would be a controversial sale to Tottenham Hotspur.
Kudus’ insistence on Spurs also massively weakens West Ham’s hand in any negotiations with Daniel Levy, as he knows the player won’t go elsewhere.
All eyes – including those of Tottenham and Chelsea – were on West Ham’s return to pre-season training on Monday.
Now West Ham have explained Kudus’ training stance as Spurs and Chelsea get in his head.
West Ham explain Kudus’ training stance
Kudus took action to help force a move this summer by joining the ROOF agency.
Despite idle speculation to the contrary the 24-year-old did report back to Rush Green for the first day of West Ham’s pre-season training.
But while he was pictured arriving at the east London base and doing some gym work and jogging, Kudus was notable by his absence from West Ham’s first training session.
The club’s media team released footage proving as much, suggesting a deal may be edging closer.
It seemed a safe assumption that West Ham were protecting their £60m plus asset from injury.
Especially given just how desperate the Hammers are for cash to fund signings for Graham Potter.
But now the top spokesman for West Ham’s board has revealed the truth of the situation.
Kudus asks not to train as Spurs and Chelsea get in his head
And while it will not go down well with fans at all, it may be for the best long term.
It was put to West Ham’s owners whether the club were effectively stopping Kudus from training so as not to risk injury and miss out on an important pay day from Tottenham or Chelsea.
After all that’s exactly what is happening with El Hadji Malick Diouf following bids from West Ham.
But the Hammers hierarchy has revealed it is in fact the other way around with Kudus.
Because it is Kudus who has asked not to take part in full training while he waits to leave for pastures new.
“I think he doesn’t want to train at the moment,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners exclusively told Hammers News.
“Things will be resolved this week.”
Fans won’t be happy with Kudus but it’s probably for the best
Kudus effectively not wanting to take part in full training so as not to jeopardise a move to the club he wants to join – Tottenham – will clearly infuriate Hammers fans.
But a deep breath is needed because the situation is probably for the best in the long run.
West Ham fans often bemoan the fact the club is cursed, especially when it comes to injuries.
If Kudus was to get injured in training and it collapsed a move away, West Ham would be stuck with absolutely no money for Potter to rebuild the team.
Other sales are planned this summer but none anywhere near the £60m level of Kudus.
So while the player is undoubtedly ensuring a hostile reception for himself, the risk factor is understandably too great.
It is interesting West Ham say it will be resolved this week.
If negotiations rumble on too long with Spurs – or Chelsea turn it into a bidding war – then Kudus’ football fitness could fall behind unless he changes his stance.
It may leave a bitter taste but there’s clearly no way back for Kudus at West Ham now so it is probably the safest way to handle the situation.