To quote the Europa League winners’ official X account, former West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus, ‘only wanted’ Tottenham Hotspur.
And he got his wish too.
Tottenham confirmed the arrival of the Ghana international on Thursday night, and Thomas Frank’s side could not resist a dig at their London neighbours from down the road at Stamford Bridge.
It is no secret that Chelsea wanted former Ajax star Kudus too. A man who spent two seasons in the capital with West Ham United made it clear, however, that securing a move to Tottenham was his priority.
And while Spurs introduce an ‘exciting and direct’ attacker to a fanbase wondering if much-maligned chairman Daniel Levy has finally been bitten by the spending bug – Morgan Gibbs-White is joining too for a further £60 million – Mohammed Kudus set about explaining exactly why he was so determined to take a path no one has walked down since Scott Parker 14 years previously.
Mohammed Kudus explains why he left West Ham United for Tottenham Hotspur
Speaking to Tottenham’s official media channels, Kudus spelled out the four key reasons why he chose the North London outfit over Chelsea, not to mention a head-spinning offer from Saudi Arabia.
Neom SC were offering Kudus £17 million-a-year, or £320,000-a-week, to join Said Benhrama at the Pro League newcomers.
At the age of just 24, however, Kudus is concerned less about growing his personal fortune and more about proving himself amongst the elite, while developing into the world-class talent he has the potential to be.
“I’ve always wanted to play at the highest level,” Kudus explains. “[I wanted to join Tottenham because of] how big the club is, the history, the Champions League as well. So, it’s a big moment. I’m very happy and I can’t wait to start.”
In addition to Champions League football and the ‘history’ of a club who came within touching distance of club football’s biggest prize in 2019, Kudus is equally keen to work with the man chosen to replace Ange Postecoglou in North London.
Kudus excited to work with former Brentford coach Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank is a confirmed admirer of Mohammed Kudus. The latter, meanwhile, noticed how the former turned Yoane Wissa, Ivan Toney, Christian Norgaard, Mikkel Damsgaard and particularly Bryan Mbeumo into some of the Premier League’s top performers.
“The most important part of why I came here was the project, how the manager sees that I can develop under him,” Kudus adds. “Where he has come from, seeing the amount of talent he has developed to become good players…
“It’s a big [reason] why I wanted to [work] under him.
“I am a very direct winger; strong, very good at taking players on and creating chances. There is a lot of flair in my game. I like to entertain the fans as well, creating memories in the minds of the fans. That is what football is about.
“I’m just here using my individual ability to help the team. I am very team-orientated.”
Kudus will wear the number 20 shirt most commonly associated at Tottenham with a peak-era Dele Alli.
West Ham brought in £54.5 million from his sale. A lower fee than was expected at the start of the summer, but one which should be immediately reinvested in bringing some of Kyle Macaulay and Graham Potter’s top targets to the London Stadium.
A source close to the board told Hammers News on Thursday that West Ham hope to sign maybe even two new strikers in the coming weeks.
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