hanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus has returned to West Ham United for pre-season training despite growing uncertainty over his future at the club.
The 23-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Ajax in 2023, has quickly become a key figure in the squad, scoring 19 goals over two seasons. However, his impressive performances have attracted strong interest from several top clubs, sparking intense transfer speculation this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur are currently leading the race for Kudus’ signature, but talks have hit a stumbling block. West Ham are reportedly unhappy with Spurs’ latest proposal, which included performance-based add-ons tied to highly ambitious targets, such as Tottenham winning the Premier League or Champions League, terms the Hammers view as unrealistic.
Kudus is believed to be open to a move, particularly to a club competing in the UEFA Champions League. His contract includes a release clause that could pave the way for a transfer, but it comes with specific conditions: Premier League clubs can trigger the clause for £85 million, while clubs in other European leagues would need to pay £80 million. For Saudi Arabian clubs, the buyout clause rises significantly to £120 million.
Time is of the essence, as the release clause is set to expire on Thursday, putting pressure on interested parties to act quickly. Both Chelsea and Saudi side Al Nassr are reportedly monitoring the situation, while Spurs may be forced to improve their bid if they hope to secure the Ghanaian international.
For now, Kudus remains committed to West Ham and has returned to training with the squad as they prepare for the new Premier League season. But with multiple clubs circling and the clock ticking on his release clause, his future remains one of the major talking points of the summer transfer window.
