Man Utd ‘explore deal’ to sign Ten Hag favourite as club seek ‘viable alternative’ to Liverpool star | OneFootball

Man Utd are reportedly ‘exploring a deal’ to recruit Ghana international Mohammed Kudus this month from Erik ten Hag’s former club Ajax.

Ten Hag and Kudus previously worked together while they were at Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie.

The 22-year-old has been in great scoring form this term as he has netted ten goals in 21 outings. He has not been Ajax’s first choice though as he has only started five times in the league.

Yet Kudus was able to shine at the World Cup for Ghana. He scored a brace in their Group A victory over South Korea.

His form in Qatar fuelled talk that Kudus could move to the Premier League soon, especially with him not starting every game for Ajax.

Liverpool reportedly ‘loved’ Kudus’ performances at the World Cup but Arsenal and Tottenham are also said to be keen on him.

United are also seemingly in the running with 90min reporting that they are looking at Kudus as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

‘No offer has been made yet’ but the report claims that ‘talks have taken place’ behind the scenes between Man Utd and Ajax.

United’s ‘preference is to explore cheaper deals this month’ and ‘loan-to-buy options are also under consideration’.

Memphis Depay, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Olivier Giroud and Vincent Aboubakar are mentioned along with Kudus as being ‘on the agenda’.

The Red Devils are in for a ‘viable alternative’ to Cody Gakpo after the Dutchman signed for Liverpool earlier this month.

Ben Jacobs has indicated that Ten Hag ‘wanted’ Gakpo but the club’s board ‘weren’t ready to move’ for financial reasons.

‘It’s crystal clear that, internally, Erik ten Hag wanted the player, and Manchester United started a dialogue on the player’s side to get a full buy-in,’ Jacobs wrote for Caught Offside.

‘Beyond that, however, they didn’t do much – Ten Hag would’ve liked Gakpo, but United didn’t move.

‘This either means they were too slow, or, more likely, the ownership weren’t ready to move because they don’t want to spend too big in January, because there is the feeling that a new owner could be ready to invest soon, in early 2023.

‘If the Glazers have this outgoing plan, then it would be logical that they wouldn’t want to spend that kind of money even if Ten Hag wanted the player.

‘I think it’s a mixture of two things internally at Manchester United, and these things are at odds – Ten Hag wanted to move Gakpo and is very disappointed that Liverpool signed him, and then you have the business side of things.

‘This leads to a bit of a disconnect there, as Ten Hag may well have known that he wouldn’t get the backing, or that they simply mishandled the situation and let Liverpool get ahead of them. Either way it’s not good.’