Manchester United could miss out on one of their top Mason Mount alternatives as well as Mason Mount himself as Brighton reportedly have ‘concrete interest’ in Erik ten Hag favourite Mohammed Kudus.
The Ghana International, who was signed by Ten Hag for Ajax in the summer of 2020, has been in sparkling form this term with 18 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances for the Eredivisie giants.
Reports in March suggested Kudus was keen on a reunion with Ten Hag at United, who had started talks over a £48m summer transfer.
Rumours of that move had gone cold due to United’s push to land Mount from Chelsea but have re-emerged after the Blues rejected United’s third, and seeimingly final, offer, which is thought to be worth around £55m.
It is understood that Chelsea are looking for £57m plus another £8m in potential add-ons, taking the deal up to £65m, but reports over the weekend suggested Man Utd were ‘unhappy’ with Chelsea’s negotiations.
ESPN report that Kudus joins Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and and Taylor Booth of FC Utrecht as alternatives to Mount, while The Athletic United have ‘made contact with Adrien Rabiot’s representatives over a proposed move to the club’, reigniting their interest from the summer and January.
But Kudus could be on the way to Brighton, in what would be quite the statement move by the Seagulls, given the Ghana international has also been on Liverpool’s radar for some time, while more recent rumours suggest Chelsea could be keen.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted: ‘Understand Mohammed Kudus is one of the top targets for Brighton this summer. He’s in the list, the interest is concrete. #BHAFC Not an easy deal but Brighton like Kudus — no concrete talks with Chelsea.’
Netherlands legend Marco van Basten said back in February that he couldn’t understand why Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag signed Antony over “much better football player” Kudus.
“I find Mohammed Kudus a much better football player than Antony,” Van Basten said.
“Antony has his skills, but he is confused with the things he is trying to do!
“Kudus has much better technique and he knows what he is doing. Antony may be faster, but Kudus is smarter and more technical. He is much more of a footballer, you can place him anywhere on the pitch, an all-rounder for the team.”
