Hammers News

Daniel Levy appears to have pulled off a masterstroke by convincing David Sullivan to let Mohammed Kudus join West Ham’s bitter rivals Tottenham for just £55m – and now we know how.

West Ham fans are absolutely incandescent this evening as word emerges that their worst fears have come true – Mohammed Kudus is being sold to Spurs.

Hammers supporters have long since come to terms with the fact Kudus needed to be sold to raise funds for Graham Potter’s rebuild.

Many are not overly concerned about losing the Ghanaian after his poor second season in east London.

But the majority believe Kudus will once again hit the heights of his debut campaign wherever he ended up next.

For a time that looked set to be Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea. There was even a shout from Newcastle.

Spurs and West Ham agree first transfer for 14 years

However, a transfer nobody saw coming was Kudus being sold by West Ham United to their fierce rivals Tottenham.

West Ham fans are only just getting over the anger and ignominy of selling homegrown captain Declan Rice to Arsenal.

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Now the Hammers have sold another of their top players to an even bigger rival in Spurs.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has announced a deal has been agreed between the clubs and on personal terms with Kudus.

Not a single player has moved between West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur since 2011.

Now the 14-year transfer embargo has ended.

And this is how Daniel Levy got David Sullivan to do the unthinkable as Tottenham ‘steal’ Kudus from West Ham for just £55m.

Neither Levy nor Sullivan would fare particularly well if Tottenham or West Ham held a popularity contest voted for by fans.

But there’s little love lost between them either. In fact there have been frosty relations between the two boardrooms for over a decade.

So it was no surprise when Levy started rubbing West Ham up the wrong way from the get-go over Kudus.

A top source very close to Hammers majority owner Sullivan claimed ‘Levy was up to his old tricks by playing the Kudus deal out in the press’.

Well those ‘old tricks’ have worked.

How Levy got Sullivan to do unthinkable Kudus deal

Tottenham chief Levy saw several offers knocked back by Sullivan for Kudus.

West Ham were left dumbstruck by one of Levy’s Kudus offers – as £10m of it was payable if Tottenham won the Premier League or Champions League.

When that was rejected by the Hammers, doubts started to creep in over Kudus joining Spurs – much to the delight of many West Ham fans.

Levy cooled talks and stepped away, leaving West Ham sweating on Chelsea making a move for Kudus.

But Sullivan’s desperation to get cash in the bank as soon as possible and to start making signings for Potter has been preyed upon by wily Levy.

The Spurs chairman is under pressure to deliver for new boss Thomas Frank, especially after missing out on Bryan Mbeumo, Eberechi Eze and Antoine Semenyo.

When he stepped away from Kudus talks at the weekend, Hammers News understands Frank was not best pleased having made the Ghanaian winger a top target.

That’s when Levy was forced back to the negotiating table where he found Sullivan now desperate to do a deal £10m less than the fee West Ham wanted – and £30m less than Kudus’ release clause.

Hammers News has always stated Kudus’ release clause was a complete red herring. And so it has proved.

Now transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed how a dramatic day of negotiations between two fierce rivals transpired.

Bailey has warned Sullivan he has taken a wrong turn by selling Kudus to Spurs for a ‘steal’, telling West Ham fans they have ‘every right to be worried’.

Frank anger forced Levy back to desperate West Ham

“There was nothing new from Levy who was not budging and Frank was not amused, he wanted it doing,” Bailey exclusively told Hammers News.

“West Ham buckled – but unless Chelsea came in, there were not many other options.

“And West Ham need cash now, as we know.

“David Sullivan really wanted £60m plus for Kudus, he was insistent on that point when Tottenham came in – they made offer with add-ons, but they were dismissed.

“The third offer was over £60m but needed Spurs to win trophies and that did not appeal. He has now accepted the cash offer, which will be paid over a number of years – but that is the deal he wanted.

“Personally I was told a deal was likely at around £57m but £55m has got the deal done and this looks a bit of a steal to me, and it’s a huge risk for West Ham and Sullivan to sell their prized asset at this price.

“This deal could be one a real turning point for West Ham and not in a good way.

“West Ham fans are worried and I believe they have every right to be.”

If you asked the West Ham United supporters who they would rather lose out of Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen – two players with admirers at Tottenham Hotspur – the results of the poll would be pretty lopsided.

It is no secret that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is a big Bowen fan.

Fortunately, West Ham United’s talismanic captain is keen to ensure that love goes unrequited, if partly due to fears that his father in law Danny Dyer would make the Great Fire of London Mk 2 happen before Bowen was spotted wearing a plain white kit.

In contrast, it appears that both Mohammed Kudus and West Ham United are far more open to doing a deal with their London neighbours than Bowen ever was.

While Kudus returned for pre-season training this week, Tottenham have been locked in talks with the ex-Ajax forward.

Harry Redknapp, who coached both clubs during a sprawling managerial career, does have his reservations though. Kudus can be ‘unplayable’ on his day, to quote another ex-Hammers boss in Alan Pardew, but those days have been few and far between of late.

Harry Redknapp gives his view on Mohammed Kudus leaving West Ham United for Tottenham

Kudus scored only five goals while providing a grand total of three assists in 32 Premier League matches last season.

West Ham need to raise funds for new signings – El Hadji Malick Diouf, Oscar Mingueza and Raphael Onyedika are among the priority targets – so letting Kudus make a controversial switch to rivals Tottenham is a necessary evil the Hammers seem happy enough to accept.

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“Yeah, he’s not bad,” Redknapp says, his rather sceptical response summing up the feeling surrounding a footballer who last season promised so much but delivered relatively little.

“He’s got bags of ability. There’s no doubting his ability. [But] I know one or two people around the place at West Ham, I think there are question marks over him. I think his ability is not questionable but I don’t know…

“He’s certainly got ability and he’s a player that when he gets on the ball, he can make things happen. He’ll be exciting.

“So yeah he’ll certainly bring something to Tottenham for sure.”

Redknapp says Graham Potter needs signings to support Jarrod Bowen

While new Spurs boss Thomas Frank is a confirmed Kudus fan, there are now suggestions that Tottenham may have cooled their interest in the £60 million-rated forward.

How this situation ends up being resolved is anyone’s guess at this stage. Fortunately, speculation over Jarrod Bowen’s future has all-but disappeared.

“The boy Bowen seemed to carry the team on his shoulders single-handedly!” Redknapp adds, the skipper the only Hammers forward to perform consistently near his best in 2024/25.

“Certainly, they need to make some signings if they are going to improve this year. Their league position was very poor [last season, finishing 14th]. Since Graham Potter went in there, things didn’t really improve.

“But It’s very difficult. He hasn’t got a magic wand. He took over a pretty average team really and they are going to have to get one or two in to do anything this year.”

Arsenal could now hold the key to the future of Mohammed Kudus as Tottenham Hotspur make a shock U-turn on the West Ham star with Chelsea waiting to pounce.

The Hammers are almost entirely dependent on the sale of Mohammed Kudus for their own transfer plans this summer and it has now turned into a four-way battle of London.

Tottenham have been in the box seat to sign Kudus from West Ham, amid much anger from Hammers fans.

But there has been a belief – and hope – Chelsea will be making their play for West Ham’s Ghanaian attacker too.

Arsenal, who were among those most heavily linked with Kudus over the last year, are also in the market for wide forward players.

Now the situation has taken a major twist amid growing belief that a new bid will be imminent.

Hammers News exclusively revealed Kudus does not want to take part in contact West Ham training while he awaits a move with Spurs and Chelsea jostling.

Arsenal deal now absolutely key as Spurs make U-turn on Kudus

Tottenham chief Daniel Levy has seen three offers for Kudus rejected so far.

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But it was actually Spurs’ big rivals Arsenal who set a ridiculously low benchmark for the bidding at £50m – some £15m off what the Hammers want.

West Ham’s board revealed they would ‘laugh off’ an Arsenal offer of £50m for Kudus when speculation was rife they wanted the 24-year-old last month.

Since then the Irons have held two rounds of talks with Chelsea over a potential deal with Todd Boehly and co since mulling a move.

It is Tottenham who have taken the most affirmative action, though, twice making £50m bids with differing payment terms.

That was before Spurs saw a new offer of £62.5m flatly rejected by Hammers chief David Sullivan after it emerged £10m of it was tied to Thomas Frank’s side winning the Premier League and Champions League.

Kudus has angered West Ham supporters after leaks he only wants Tottenham over any other clubs, including Chelsea.

Previously the man who is West Ham’s sacrificial lamb to fund Graham Potter’s rebuild was said to be keen on a move to the Gunners.

Speculation ignited when Kudus was spotted at Arsenal last season, just days after a big bust-up at West Ham.

Now an Arsenal deal is absolutely key as Spurs make a big U-turn on West Ham star Kudus with Chelsea lurking.

Top Hammers insider Sean Whetstone, a close confidant of majority owner Sullivan, has revealed Tottenham have cooled on Kudus.

Levy cools on eager Kudus with Chelsea lurking

And it comes just as Arsenal and Chelsea could be about to make the situation a lot more serious.

Levy is under pressure to make a signing for Frank after missing out on Antoine Semenyo, Bryan Mbeumo and with Arsenal looking favourites for Eberechi Eze.

But West Ham were left dumbstruck by Levy’s latest Kudus offer.

Now Whetstone claims his club source, believed to be Sullivan, is not convinced Spurs will return with an improved number – whether informal or formal.

He states on Claret and Hugh that there is now real doubt over Tottenham’s Kudus move.

It is even claimed Kudus and his new agents ROOF are the ones pushing the Spurs agenda more than the other way around in a desperate attempt to get him out of West Ham.

Unless the Tottenham situation changes, Hammers hopes now rest on Chelsea and Arsenal it seems.

Enzo Maresca publicly admitted Chelsea’s interest in Kudus for the first time at the weekend.

The Blues have been preoccupied making the final of the Club World Cup – already banking over £80m with another £40m up for grabs if they lift the trophy.

But with Noni Madueke closing in on a move to Arsenal, West Ham are expecting and hoping the Blues bid for Kudus imminently.

Enzo Maresca has already confirmed he is in the market for a new winger who can also play as a second striker.

The former Hammers assistant coach has put on record that he likes Kudus.

He’s not alone at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea star Cole Palmer raved about Kudus too.

Chelsea are expecting an official bid from Arsenal for Madueke, which is said to be ‘incoming’.

Reports have claimed it is a deal all parties are keen to complete with personal terms already agreed in the background.

Madueke joining Arsenal may trigger Chelsea bid to West Ham

Fabrizio Romano commented on Sunday: “Understand Arsenal are set to send opening bid for Noni Madueke after agreement with the player on personal terms.”

Should the Gunners finalise what would be a somewhat surprise transfer to bring Madueke to the Emirates, then it is anticipated Chelsea will launch their own official bid in West Ham’s direction for Kudus.

Whether that will change Levy’s supposed stance remains to be seen.

The Hammers will clearly hope for some kind of auction with Tottenham and Chelsea involved.

The Arsenal deal for Madueke is now key to the entire Kudus situation.

And if that falls through, it will be interesting to see whether Mikel Arteta turns his attentions back to West Ham for Kudus.

If not then it could actually play into Levy’s hands by making Spurs the only show in town and leaving West Ham stuck between a rock and a hard place in having to sell to them for a lower fee just to bring some cash in.

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.

West Ham United appear to have just dropped a significant clue about Mohammed Kudus’ future amid intense transfer speculation involving both rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

The Ghanaian star has been spotted at the club’s Rush Green training ground as Spurs ponder a fourth bid while Chelsea are tipped to make an official offer.

Tottenham are pushing hard to try and sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham – much to the disgust of many Hammers fans.

Despite traditionally being the club’s biggest rivals after Millwall and Tottenham, Chelsea are very much seen as the lesser of two evils when it comes to the prospect of reluctantly selling a top player like Kudus.

The Hammers have allowed themselves to get into a real state in terms of finances, leaving little wiggle room for signings due to PSR.

West Ham face enforced Kudus sale to Spurs or Chelsea

As a result, West Ham’s owners are being pilloried by fans as they face seeing another top player join a rival with Spurs and Chelsea the only Premier League sides looking seriously at Kudus at the time of writing.

Tottenham have made not one, not two but THREE bids to West Ham for Kudus in the last week.

The Hammers board were left dumbstruck by the terms of Spurs’ latest £62.5m Kudus offer, according to sources close to the situation.

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Mainly because £10m of the additional £12.5m in the third bid was tied to Spurs winning the Premier League and Champions League.

A close confidant of Hammers chief David Sullivan claimed ‘Levy is up to his old tricks by playing the Kudus deal out in the press’.

That threatens to backfire on Levy and Tottenham with Hammers News reporting on Chelsea’s master plan to sell Noni Madueke to Arsenal and sign Kudus.

In a somewhat surprising move, Madueke is closing on a move to the Gunners.

Enzo Maresca even publicly admitted Chelsea like Kudus for the first time at the weekend.

Now West Ham have dropped a major Kudus hint as the star is pictured at Rush Green amid the Spurs and Chelsea talks.

The Hammers held two rounds of discussions with Chelsea about Kudus in June.

The Blues were keen to include players in the deal as makeweights whereas Sullivan and co want straight cash.

West Ham drop major Kudus hint amid Spurs and Chelsea talks

Talks with Spurs have been well publicised over recent days.

And Kudus enraged West Ham fans after it was claimed he only wants Tottenham over any other clubs, including Chelsea.

There had been an idle threat from West Ham that they would keep Kudus if they did not get the minimum £60m they’d put on his head.

But West Ham’s media activity appears to suggest Kudus is edging closer to a Hammers exit with Tottenham and Chelsea vying for his signature.

The Irons reported back for pre-season training on Monday morning.

The Hammers published a gallery of pictures titled ‘West Ham United men’s team reunited as pre-season begins’.

That gallery, image number 14 of 14, shows Kudus arriving at the club’s Rush Green training complex.

Later in the day West Ham published another picture gallery, this time showing the players training out on the pitches.

Crucially, Kudus was among the only first team players not joining in with his teammates.

The most obvious reason would be West Ham are protecting their £60m plus asset from injury as the club is desperate for the funds.

That would mean the Hammers feel a move to Spurs or Chelsea is close enough not to take any risks.

Hammers guard against injury as Kudus returns to Rush Green but doesn’t train?

Some international players get extended breaks and softer returns if they’ve been in action for their countries post season.

But Kudus was rested from the Ghana squad for their games against Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago at the end of May.

So, like Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lucas Paqueta and the others pictured, Kudus should have been training.

That will excite Tottenham and Chelsea fans ahead of what now looks a nailed on move to either north or west London.

There’s a chance Kudus might be carrying an injury of course – although that seems unlikely after a summer of rest.

It was clear Kudus was going to be leaving.

But now what seemed a highly unlikely move to Spurs suddenly seems a real possibility.

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.”

West Ham are said to be dumbstruck by the latest offer from Daniel Levy as Tottenham launch a third bid for Mohammed Kudus worth £62.5m.

The structure and stipulations within Tottenham Hotspur’s new bid have left the Hammers completely stunned as talks take another dramatic twist.

Mohammed Kudus holds the key to West Ham’s transfer window and that means Spurs could too.

The bitter rivals can’t stand one another on or off the pitch.

There have been a series of fallouts between the West Ham and Tottenham boardrooms over the last 15 years.

So it is no surprise there have been no transfer dealings between the Hammers or Spurs since 2001.

Third time lucky after West Ham rejected Spurs bids for Kudus?

After making it into the Champions League, though, Tottenham have a distinct advantage over West Ham in this summer’s transfer window.

Around £80-100m of them in fact.

Spurs have been consistently linked with a move for Kudus since April.

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Irons supporters are still being goaded by their Arsenal counterparts over snatching away Declan Rice two years on.

So West Ham fans are furious Kudus might be sold to Tottenham after the club confirmed they may have little choice – especially if Daniel Levy coughs up the most money.

The prospect of selling another of the club’s top players to Spurs has seen West Ham’s board, particularly David Sullivan, heavily criticised.

Enzo Maresca has confirmed Chelsea’s interest in Kudus this weekend, raising hopes the Blues will save West Ham from the ignominy of selling to Spurs.

Especially after a top source very close to Hammers majority owner Sullivan claimed ‘Levy is up to his old tricks by playing the Kudus deal out in the press’.

The Spurs chairman, who is under pressure after missing out on Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo and Eberechi Eze, was also accused of using agents to get around tapping up West Ham’s Ghanaian attacker.

Tottenham make £62.5m third bid to West Ham for Kudus

Kudus has angered West Ham fans after a leak he now only wants Spurs amid interest from Chelsea and other clubs.

Not only does that show a lack of understanding – or care – about the rivalry between the two clubs, it also weakens the Hammers’ bargaining position.

West Ham have rejected two derisory £50m bids from Tottenham for the 24-year-old former Ajax star.

Now West Ham have been left dumbstruck by Levy’s terms in Tottenham’s £62.5m third bid for Kudus.

West Ham board dumbstruck by Levy’s terms in new Kudus offer

The structure of the deal will leave football fans – never mind just Hammers supporters – trying to contain themselves.

Football correspondent Graeme Bailey has told Hammers News that Levy has made a third offer to West Ham worth a total of £62.5m.

Bailey says Tottenham’s third bid has gone in at a base rate of £50m once again.

This time, though, there are £12.5m of add-ons.

But £10m of those are based on Spurs winning the Premier League and the Champions League.

Levy’s offer details that West Ham will receive £5m if Tottenham do the unthinkable and go from 17th to winning the Premier League for the first time.

And another £5m if they win the Champions League for the first time too.

Bailey told Hammers News that Levy’s terms are ‘not deemed attainable by West Ham’.

However, it has been rather worryingly revealed that Sullivan may now be willing to take under £60m for Kudus as long as it is all straight cash with no add-ons.

While it is also claimed ‘Spurs are the only team at the party and West Ham need to sell quickly’.

With Noni Madueke closing on a move to Arsenal, though, Hammers News understands West Ham are hopeful Chelsea will come knocking in the coming days.

Mohammed Kudus is walking a fine line with West Ham after a fresh leak to Fabrizio Romano emerged about the battle between Chelsea and Spurs for his signature.

West Ham must sell Mohammed Kudus to help raise funds for Graham Potter’s rebuild and London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are fighting it out for the Ghanaian.

But a brand new twist will not go down well in east London at all.

It says everything about how poor West Ham’s recruitment and squad composition has been over the last few years that Kudus is the club’s only sellable asset worth any sizeable amount.

Potter wants to change that by reinventing the Hammers around young, dynamic talent.

The problem is West Ham are now faced with having to sell another top player to a rival to do that with Tottenham and Chelsea emerging as the frontrunners.

West Ham want Chelsea to save them from Spurs embarrassment

After selling Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m, West Ham are hoping to raise at least £60-65m from the sale of Kudus as Chelsea and Tottenham jostle for position.

From West Ham’s point of view – both on the terraces and in the boardroom – there is a clear preference.

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West Ham fans are furious Kudus might be sold to Spurs after the club confirmed they may have little choice but to break a 14-year unofficial transfer embargo.

Especially if Daniel Levy coughs up the most money.

But the prospect of selling one of the club’s top players to Tottenham has seen West Ham’s owners, particularly David Sullivan, heavily criticised.

It did not go down well when it was claimed by Fabrizio Romano that talks were “well underway” between West Ham, Tottenham and Kudus about a move to north London earlier this week.

As first reported by Hammers News, Chelsea are very much planning to move for Kudus as they look to sell Noni Madueke.

A Chelsea insider’s major Kudus update earlier this week claimed the Blues are planning to sign the West Ham star next after completing the capture of Joao Pedro.

So when Enzo Maresca confirmed Chelsea’s interest in Kudus this weekend, it looked like the Hammers would be spared a very damaging and awkward sale to Spurs.

Now Kudus risks wrath of West Ham after new leak to journalists

But now Kudus has risked the wrath of West Ham after a new leak to journalists in the Spurs vs Chelsea battle.

Earlier this week a key source very close to Hammers majority owner David Sullivan claimed ‘Levy is up to his old tricks by playing the Kudus deal out in the media’.

It was stated the Spurs chairman, who is under pressure after missing out on Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo and Eberechi Eze, is using agents to get around rules over tapping up West Ham’s Kudus.

It was also revealed, via Sullivan, that no formal bid had been received by West Ham from Spurs.

With Chelsea lurking, it seemed inevitable they would step forward and take Kudus to Stamford Bridge as the lesser of two evils for West Ham.

Kudus makes it clear he only wants Spurs say Ornstein and Romano

Tottenham’s bid finally came on Saturday as Levy sent a derisory £50m offer to Sullivan – a meagre £11.5m profit on what West Ham paid Ajax for Kudus.

It was understandably ejected out of hand.

Fans were angered when a journalist claimed West Ham’s Kudus is open to joining Tottenham recently.

Now Kudus will upset Hammers fans and the owners.

Because his camp has leaked to both Athletic journalist David Ornstein and Romano that even if Chelsea do make their move, Kudus only wants to join West Ham’s bitter rivals Tottenham.

Ornstein reports on The Athletic that Kudus has let it be known he is ‘prioritising’ Spurs and that personal terms are not an issue.

Now Romano has gone even further, claiming Kudus is ‘keen on joining Spurs’ as he pushes to seal a move to them over other interested clubs.

Romano also claims a second Tottenham bid to West Ham is in the works.

Chelsea have been in touch with Kudus’ entourage but the player wants Tottenham.

Kudus weakens West Ham’s bargaining position

Not only is Kudus showing a complete lack of awareness, or care, about how West Ham fans feel at the prospect of him joining Tottenham, it also totally weakens the club’s bargaining position.

If Kudus is pushing to only join Spurs then Levy has no need to drastically up his bid.

The situation threatens to get very messy internally and externally for the Hammers.

Because a sale to Tottenham will not go down well with fans at all.

And Kudus will make himself a hate figure overnight to boot as West Ham fans brace themselves to be goaded by Tottenham fans, just like they have been ever since selling Rice to Arsenal.

Forward steps are being taken at West Ham United, both regarding incomings and outgoings. But there are still big strides to be taken before Mohammed Kudus secures a controversial switch to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur for instance.

This week, speculation regarding a shock move across London went into overdrive.

No player has swapped West Ham United for Tottenham Hotspur since Scott Parker 14 years ago. Mohammed Kudus could snap that trend, however.

While Chelsea are not out of the Kudus race just yet, Tottenham have entered talks with the Ghana international.

But, like with West Ham’s pursuit of Slavia Prague left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, things do not appear to be as advanced behind the scenes as some in the media would have you believe.

David Ornstein does not think Tottenham move is close for West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus

The uber-reliable David Ornstein, speaking on The Athletic’s transfer podcast on Saturday, appears to believe that Kudus is not so much the priority target at Spurs, but instead ‘one of the options’ being considered.

“They have a reported interest in him,” Ornstein says. “We don’t know of it being more than him being one of the options they’re considering.”

Then again, it is probably no coincidence that Tottenham appeared to have upped the pace in recent days.

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Bryan Mbeumo is on the verge of finally joining Manchester United, rejecting Spurs’ advances in the process. Antoine Semenyo, another with admirers in North London, also signed a new deal at AFC Bournemouth.

So if Kudus was not the primary target at the start of the window, he may be now.

“We’ve reported that they enquired about Antoine Semenyo at Bournemouth having previously liked Bryan Mbeumo. Semenyo has signed a new contract,” Ornstein adds. “So yeah, Kudus is in the orbit of clubs like Tottenham.

“West Ham might need to sell a player and he’s their most obvious asset.

“I think Tottenham would carry appeal to someone like him, Champions League football and staying in London, but there will be other options as well.

“I don’t think this one is close to a conclusion as of yet.”

Chelsea remain in Kudus race but Newcastle United move unlikely

New Spurs boss Thomas Frank is a confirmed admirer of Mohammed Kudus.

A source close to the West Ham board, speaking to Hammers News this week, admits that the 2023 Conference League champions would rather not sell such a talented footballer to such bitter rivals.

However, with Kudus rejecting a move to Saudi Arabia, with Chelsea and Manchester United prioritising other attacking targets, Tottenham are one of few clubs remaining who may be willing to hand West Ham the £60 million they went.

Kudus is well down the list at Newcastle, too.

West Ham maybe have to get creative, they maybe have to sell a few players to give Graham Potter the funds to go and invest and re-shape that squad,” reporter Mark McAdam said on Sky Sports a few days ago.

“Mohammed Kudus is one of those players.

“We know there is interest from Tottenham Hotspur. We know that they are looking to try and add players out wide. They want a versatile forward threat which Mohammed Kudus would be, someone who can play in multiple positions across the frontline.

“We know that Chelsea are at the table,” the report concludes. “Despite signing Jamie Gittens, they are looking potentially at Mohammed Kudus as well.

“And Newcastle also have him on their list, although I think he’s a little further down on their list.”

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has paid the kind of respect to former club West Ham that Daniel Levy hasn’t as he commented on the Mohammed Kudus in a crushing blow to Spurs.

The Italian’s comments spell bad news for Tottenham, with Chelsea now firmly in the frame for West Ham’s PSR sacrificial lamb Mohammed Kudus – just as Hammers News reported this week.

After Millwall, it is Spurs and Chelsea who have always been West Ham’s biggest rivals.

So it says something when Hammers fans are desperate to see one of their best players join the Blues, just to avoid them going to Tottenham Hotspur.

West Ham supporters are incandescent Kudus might be sold to Spurs after the club confirmed they may have little choice but to break a 14-year unofficial transfer embargo if Daniel Levy is the only one to stump up the required cash.

Levy ‘up to old tricks’ in West Ham and Spurs talks over Kudus

Chelsea’s transfer dealings underline the fact PSR is a complete non-issue for Enzo Maresca.

West Ham fans are furious the owners have allowed them to be in such a poor state financially.

But they begrudgingly accept Kudus must be sold to raise funds for Graham Potter’s rebuild.

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The mere thought of selling one of the club’s top players to Tottenham has seen the West Ham board come under fire, though.

Especially since Fabrizio Romano claimed negotiations were now “well underway” between West Ham, Tottenham and Kudus about a move to north London.

The hope in east London has always been that Chelsea would pull the trigger on signing Kudus as the lesser of two evils.

Hammers News was the first to exclusively reveal Chelsea and West Ham discussed a possible deal for Kudus back at the start of June.

Now, after mulling things over for a month, it looks like a Chelsea insider’s major new Kudus claim earlier this week could come to fruition.

Because Maresca has paid West Ham the respect Levy hasn’t as he opens up on a Chelsea move for Kudus and it’s bad news for Spurs.

Maresca pays West Ham respect as he deals Spurs a Kudus blow

This week a close ally of West Ham chief David Sullivan confirmed there has been no formal approach or bid from Spurs for Kudus.

That infuriated Tottenham fans, who are already angry with Levy over the club’s failed pursuit of Antoine Semenyo and Eberechi Eze.

Sullivan’s confidant stated the Hammers have not given permission for Spurs to approach Kudus after the likes of Romano claimed talks have been held between them and the player’s agents.

And the key Sullivan source claimed ‘Levy is up to his old tricks by playing the Kudus deal out in the media’ using agents to get around rules over tapping up.

Now Maresca has shown the right way to do things as he all but confirmed Chelsea’s interest in signing Kudus with an intriguing comment.

Speaking to the press in the US overnight after Chelsea advanced to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup with a 2-1 win over Palmeiras, Maresca admitted Kudus is a player he has liked and followed for years.

The former Hammers assistant boss refused to discuss Chelsea’s move for Kudus in detail out of respect to his old club.

But the fact Maresca did not deny Chelsea are planning to sign Kudus is a sure sign that’s exactly what is about to transpire, leaving Spurs’ hopes in serious trouble.

Chelsea boss all but confirms interest in Hammers star Kudus

“Mohammed is a West Ham player,” Maresca said respectfully when asked about the Kudus links to Chelsea.

“He is not our player.

“I’ve known Kudus since he was at Ajax but he is a West Ham player.”

That line about ‘knowing Kudus since he was at Ajax’ says everything.

Kudus is clearly a player Maresca has a longstanding interest in given the Hammers signed the Ghanaian from the Dutch giants two years ago now.

West Ham will appreciate Maresca’s approach to the potential transfer in light of the revelations about how Levy is handling Tottenham’s attempts to sign Kudus.

Hammers fans will appreciate it even more if Todd Boehly pays the money to ensure Kudus ends up at Stamford Bridge instead of Spurs.