Manchester City hold ‘serious interest’ in signing 18-goal West Ham star but face Liverpool transfer battle | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are interested in bringing West Ham star Mohammed Kudus to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

The 23-year-old completed a £38 million move to the London Stadium last August, signing a five-year deal with West Ham, after swapping Ajax and the Eredivisie for West Ham and the Premier League.

The attacking midfielder, who was named Ghana’s Footballer of the Year for the second successive season following an impressive debut campaign with the Hammers, was directly involved in 25 goals for West Ham across all competitions.

Kudus scored 18 goals and registered seven assists in east London, scoring eight goals in the Premier League and five goals in nine UEFA Europa League appearances.

The Ghanaian also netted a stunning goal against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the Premier League campaign in May, halving the deficit prior to half-time with a spectacular bicycle-kick.

Kudus made 48 appearances for West Ham and featured in both the midfield and wide areas for David Moyes, with the 23-year-old’s impressive versatility leading to transfer interest from elsewhere in the Premier League.

Manchester City, who are expected to bolster their midfield this summer, hold a ‘serious interest’ in signing the midfielder, with Etihad bosses and manager Guardiola ‘appreciative’ of Kudus’ talents, according to outlet CaughtOffside.

The Ghana international has a release clause within his Hammers contract, and the midfielder could be targeted by Manchester City, should Kevin De Bruyne move to the Saudi Pro League this summer.

The Sky Blues could face a transfer battle however, with Liverpool reportedly also interested in signing the 18-goal star from West Ham, should either Mo Salah or Luis Diaz depart Anfield during the summer window.

Manchester City have also been linked with a move for fellow Premier League midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, despite the Brazilian international’s £100 million release expiring in June.