Man Utd to RIVAL Chelsea and Arsenal for KEY summer transfer target

Cameron Smith

• 25 Jul 2023 20:15 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are set to rival Chelsea and Arsenal for the signature of Ajax forward Mohammed Kudus as their pursuit of Rasmus Hojlund continues to drag on.

The Red Devils have sounded out Hojlund as their first-choice summer target as they look to upgrade their options at the sharp-end of the pitch, but Atalanta’s valuation of the Danish international is proving to be an obstacle.

Personal terms have been agreed - as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers - but Man Utd have not submitted an offer deemed acceptable by Atalanta.

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As a result, they are looking at potential alternatives in case the transfer falls through and have landed on Ajax and Ghana star Kudus, according to The Times.

Erik ten Hag played a key role in bringing Kudus to Ajax during his time at the Eredivisie club and sees him as a player who is capable of playing through the middle as well as slightly deeper.

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Chelsea and Arsenal also want Kudus

Kudus is currently on both Chelsea and Arsenal’s radar, with both London clubs keen on adding the versatile attacker to their respective squads. Brighton have also been linked with the 22-year-old, but it’s unlikely they are able to outbid either of the three clubs they’re now competing with for his signature.

Furthermore, Ben Jacobs has reported that Chelsea are closing in on agreeing personal terms with Kudus as they look to add another body to their forward line.

The Blues have sold Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount so far this summer, while Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi are set to join them in departing the club before the window ends.

Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Angelo have all arrived through the door at Stamford Bridge in the past few weeks, while their pursuit of Moises Caicedo remains at an impasse with Brighton & Hove Albion.

As for Arsenal, they have added Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and the aforementioned Havertz to Mikel Arteta’s squad as they look to go one better than last year and win the Premier League title.