Brighton Hove & Albion has reportedly agreed to sign one of Chelsea's targets in the summer transfer window of 2023 ahead of the new season.
The plot for the summer 2023 transfer window thickens as Brighton is reportedly set to make the midfielder their most expensive signing in the club's history.
The news outlet The Athletic reports that Brighton & Hove Albion is close to finalizing a major deal with Ajax to acquire their attacking midfielder, Mohammed Kudus. The two clubs have agreed in principle to the transfer, pending the completion of the deal, for a fee of around €40 million (£34.5 million; $44 million). This would be the most expensive purchase in Brighton's history, surpassing the previous record set earlier in the summer for Joao Pedro, which was just below £30 million.
Kudus, the Ghanaian football star, is reportedly currently in the process of negotiating personal terms with Brighton. The decision to move was largely influenced by the head coach of Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi, who sees Kudus as a vital addition to the team.
It is worth noting that Chelsea had shown interest in acquiring Kudus, a move which was recently reported by The Athletic. However, it appears that Brighton has emerged as the winner in securing his signature. Kudus is currently contracted with Ajax until 2025, and while he declined a one-year extension in April, he is now enthusiastic about leaving the Johan Cruyff Arena and taking on a fresh challenge in the Premier League.
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Why does Brighton want to sign Kudus?
Mohammed Kudus, in his time at Ajax and for Ghana, demonstrated his ability to adapt in any position, which made him an asset to the squad. His blend of strength and speed has proven to be quite effective in different positions on the field during a competitive game in the league or for the national side. Ajax has intelligently leveraged his exceptional abilities in various roles, enabling him to succeed in one-on-one confrontations and capitalize on the vulnerabilities of the opposing team's arrangement.
Since his debut in Dutch football, Kudus has impressively played in as many as seven different positions. This demonstrates his adaptability and ability to perform well in a wide range of roles. He has showcased his versatility by playing as a deep-lying No 6, where he can control the game from a defensive midfield position, and also as an out-and-out centre-forward, leading the attacking line.
However, the majority of his time on the pitch has been spent as a right-winger, where he has been a constant threat to the opposition's full-backs. With his speed and dribbling abilities, Kudus excels at running at defenders and creating goal-scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
His ability to dominate in various positions has made him a valuable and sought-after player, catching the attention of Brighton & Hove Albion and other top clubs. Brighton's pursuit of Kudus shows their recognition of his immense talent and potential to make a significant impact in the Premier League.
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