Football royalty Marco van Basten has slammed Ajax for selling Mohammed Kudus to West Ham as a deal is struck for the coveted star.
West Ham fans are celebrating today after it was confirmed the club has agreed a £38m deal with Ajax to sign star player Mohammed Kudus.
The likes of Sky Sports claimed a West Ham “insider” had told them the chances of signing Kudus had been reduced to “50-50” yesterday following interest from other clubs, including some in Saudi Arabia.
Ajax’s manager Maurice Steijn then insisted Kudus WOULD PLAY in both legs of their crucial Europa League qualifier against Ludogorets.
Kudus duly played and smashed a 50-minute hat-trick in a 4-1 first leg win for the Amsterdam side in Bulgaria. But he won’t be playing in the second leg.
After the game Kudus and his manager spoke honestly about the situation with both admitting the star has played his last game for the club amid the interest from the Hammers.
Kudus dropped a massive hint he’s leaving for West Ham and would say goodbye ‘once everything is official’.
Well it is being widely reported this evening that a deal has now officially been struck with the Dutch giants for their talisman.
But one of Ajax’s all-time greats is not happy about the deal AT ALL.
Kudus – who was first linked with a move to West Ham back in October last year – is said to have attracted interest from the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Man United and Spurs.
And legend Van Basten has slammed Ajax for selling Kudus to West Ham, saying Holland’s most famous club must stand for more than just making money.
“Why is he going to West Ham, why?” Van Basten said on Ziggo Sport Voetbal.
“He still has a two-year contract. Surely Ajax is in the business of making a good team, not just making money?
“What is the function of a football club? To entertain the public and give players the opportunity to excel, or to make money?
“You are going to sell people now because you will have money. He still has everything to show at Ajax. He has done well for a year. For him, people come to the stadium.”
Van Basten’s outburst tells you everything about how good Kudus is and what a signing this is for West Ham.
It is a serious statement of intent.
So let’s enjoy every minute of Kudus at West Ham providing there are no issues when he jets in for his medical this weekend.