West Ham United are nearing an agreement with Ajax for the signing of Mohammed Kudus, 90min understands.
The Hammers have already had two bids turned down by Ajax, the latest of which was worth €40m (£34m) plus add-ons.
But the need for West Ham to sign quality attacking reinforcements has seen the club continue negotiations with Ajax, with manager David Moyes and technical director Tim Steidten both pushing for Kudus to make the move to London Stadium.
Sources have confirmed to 90min that a third offer has been lodged with Ajax, who did agree a fee with Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this summer only for Kudus to put the brakes on a move, worth €41m initially plus €3m in add-ons (£35m + £2.5m).
There’s a belief that Ajax will accept the offer, having countered West Ham’s last bid with a €50m proposal, with a key factor being the Conference League winners’ willingness to adjust the payment terms of the deal.
90min understands that West Ham had initially been offering to pay Ajax over a five-year instalment plan, but have now put forward a bid that is far more favourable for the Eredivisie giants. There is also a 10% sell-on clause in the proposed deal, meaning West Ham would only need to sell Kudus for €50m or more in the future for Ajax to make good on the money they are passing up in the short-term.
Personal terms are not expected to be issue, though West Ham will need to finalise wages and bonus structures with Kudus and his representatives.
West Ham have added Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse to their midfield ranks after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m, and made Konstantinos Mavropanos their third major summer signing on Monday after he joined from VfB Stuttgart on a five-year contract.
What we know
- The Hammers have already failed with two bids for in-demand Ghanaian
- David Moyes desperate to improve forward options after Scamacca sale
- Alvarez, Ward-Prowse and Mavropanos have signed on this summer