MOHAMMED KUDUS REPORTEDLY CHOSE ARSENAL OVER CHELSEA

Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus reportedly chose Arsenal over Chelsea this summer. This is despite recent rumors linking him with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

The Ghana international is widely expected to be on the move during this summer's transfer window. His Amsterdam club is believed to be willing to let him leave for around £40 million.

A recent report claimed that Chelsea were leading the race for the 22-year-old, with the Blues putting a better financial package on the table.

However, according to Football Transfers, Kudus favors a move to Arsenal, as he is determined to once again play Champions League football during the 2023–24 campaign. The report claims that Kudus would be willing to accept a lower salary if it meant moving to the Gunners, who finished second in the Premier League table last season and qualified for the European Cup.

Chelsea, on the other hand, were 12th in the Premier League last season, meaning that there will not be any European football at the club in the upcoming campaign.

Manchester United have also been linked with Kudus, with the Red Devils said to have put together a list of alternatives to Atlanta's Rasmus Hojlund.

However, the strongest interest is currently believed to be emanating from London, with Arsenal and Chelsea seemingly competing head-to-head for his signature. Kudus, who scored twice for Ghana at the 2022 World Cup, was in strong form for Ajax during the 2022–23 campaign, scoring 18 goals and registering seven assists in 42 appearances.

The forward made a strong impression at the Champions League group stage last season, scoring four goals and registering two assists in six appearances.

Arsenal have already brought in three players this summer, with Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice arriving to bolster the squad ahead of the upcoming season. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta detailed the importance of trimming his squad earlier this week, with Folarin Balogun, Kieran Tierney, and Albert Sambi Lokonga among those being linked with departures.

Balogun is believed to be a leading target for Inter Milan, with the United States international set to depart, and his exit could make room in the squad for Kudus to arrive.

The Ajax attacker was heavily linked with a move to Everton during last summer's transfer window. He is believed to have come close to making the switch to Goodison Park.