West Ham are reportedly wasting no time preparing for life after Mohammed Kudus and their planned replacement could seriously embarrass Spurs.
Tottenham Hotspur are pushing hard to try and sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.
Spurs face competition from Chelsea, especially if Noni Madueke joins Arsenal.
But Kudus has enraged West Ham by declaring he only wants Tottenham.
The Hammers had rejected two bids worth £50m – with different payment terms – before Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy submitted a £62.5m offer on Sunday.
Pressure on Levy to get Spurs deal done for West Ham star Kudus
West Ham were left dumbstruck by Levy’s terms in that new Kudus offer according to sources close to the situation.
Chiefly because £10m of the additional £12.5m in the third bid was tied to Spurs winning the Premier League and Champions League.
A prominent West Ham insider who is close to majority owner David Sullivan claimed ‘Levy is up to his old tricks by playing the Kudus deal out in the press’.
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The Tottenham chief is under pressure after missing out on Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo and Eberechi Eze.
West Ham have rejected Tottenham’s third offer for Kudus.
Although it is understood Sullivan may accept just under £60m if Spurs pay all cash with no add-ons.
While clearly far from happy with the financial situation, West Ham fans have made peace with the fact the club has to sell Kudus to raise funds for signings.
But Hammers supporters are furious at the prospect of selling to bitter rivals Tottenham.
Particularly given the bad blood between the clubs which has resulted in an unofficial transfer embargo being in place between the two clubs for the last 14 years.
West Ham line up Kudus replacement and it may embarrass Spurs
While Kudus did not have a great campaign last season there is also the small issue for West Ham of bringing someone in to succeed the Ghanaian attacker.
Now West Ham have lined up a Kudus replacement and it may embarrass Spurs.
According to Sky Sports France, West Ham are ready to make good on longstanding interest in Ademola Lookman by signing him when Kudus is sold.
Way back in October last year, Hammers News reported on claims that Lookman was on a list of three forwards West Ham were eyeing for this summer.
It is claimed that the Hammers remain interested in Lookman and want him to replace Kudus.
Better still the 27-year-old wants to join West Ham after a big bust-up over the way he has been treated by Atalanta, for whom he scored a memorable hat-trick to win them the Europa League last year.
The report claims London-born Lookman wants to return to the Big Smoke this summer.
The move could leave Levy and Tottenham red-faced on a number of fronts.
Firstly, because statistically Lookman is an upgrade on Kudus having registered over 20 goals and assists in each of his last three seasons for club and country.
Hammers plan to use Spurs cash to hijack their target
Even, though, Kudus was great in his debut season with the Irons, he managed just five goals and three assists last term.
Optically, West Ham would also essentially be cashing in a player who has been heavily criticised in Ghana for the shortcomings of the national team, for Nigerian Lookman – who is the reigning African Player of the Year.
Lookman actually referenced West Ham in his speech when winning the prestigious African honour.
But the move could ultimately be embarrassing for Spurs as they would be funding West Ham’s move for a player they allegedly want themselves.
The Hard Tackle reported at the weekend that Spurs are one of the clubs interested in signing Lookman for the left side.
Now Sky Sports France states the former Charlton star is the priority target for the Hammers to replace Kudus.
“The sale of Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham could be the final domino to fall,” the report states regarding West Ham’s interest in signing Lookman.
“The one that would both give the Italian club the fee they’re hoping for and allow the Nigerian to return to the city he misses so much.
“One to watch.”