Arsenal eye stunning second Ajax raid to top off transfer spree as work begins on six-man clearout

Arsenal are eager to attempt the signing of Mohammed Kudus from Ajax if they can clear enough space in their squad first, a report has claimed.

Recently, Arsenal signed Jurrien Timber from Ajax to strengthen their defence. Now, they are reportedly looking back at the same club for another target. This time, Kudus has caught their attention after starring in a variety of attacking midfield roles.

Kudus has already been linked with Brighton and Man Utd. According to the Daily Mail, though, Arsenal have joined the race to sign the Ghana international.

Attracted by his versatility – a factor that has also prompted them to buy players like Timber and Kai Havertz – Arsenal would view Kudus as the icing on the cake for their summer transfer activity.

Ajax still have him under contract until 2025, but a bid of around £40m – whether that comes from Brighton or Arsenal – might force their hand.

For the time being, though, Arsenal will be focusing on trimming their squad. After all, they have already spent significant sums on Timber, Havertz and club-record signing Declan Rice.

To balance the books, the report says they are now ready to listen to offers for Kieran Tierney (although TEAMtalk understands he won’t be allowed to leave on the cheap), Cedric Soares, Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Rob Holding.

Cedric, Pepe, Lokonga and Tavares all spent time on loan away from Arsenal last season. As for those who were in the first-team fold, neither Tierney nor Holding were regular starters in defence.

If Arsenal can clear out all six players, they might have some budget left to finance a swoop for Kudus. They will simply have to hope that, by then, Brighton haven’t beaten them to a deal.

That said, the Daily Mail claims the prospect of competing in the Champions League with Arsenal – rather than the Europa League with Brighton – would be appealing to Kudus.

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Arsenal could reunite Kudus with Timber – and Partey

Kudus already plays alongside Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey for their national team. Partey’s future at Arsenal has also come into question, but the Daily Mail insists they want to keep him, barring a mammoth offer.

Therefore, they could rekindle their connection at club level next season if Partey stays and Arsenal manage to sign Kudus.

Last season, Kudus played 42 times across all competitions for Ajax, scoring 18 goals. He made 17 appearances on the right wing, 16 as a centre-forward and nine as an attacking midfielder.

Similarly to how Havertz will now be able to help Arsenal in midfield and attack, Kudus could add another element to Mikel Arteta’s system in and around the final third.

And at the age of 22, he is the kind of young talent that Arteta could help develop. But some patience may be required before Arsenal can think of the next steps in their pursuit of the former Nordsjaelland talent.