David Ornstein: Spurs £50m Bid Rejected by West Ham For Star Forward | OneFootball

Mohammed Kudus Bid Rejected: West Ham Stand Firm Amid Spurs Interest

West Ham Hold Firm on Kudus Amid Spurs Pursuit

West Ham United have swiftly rejected a £50 million bid from Tottenham Hotspur for Mohammed Kudus, as reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic. The two London clubs remain in dialogue, but the Hammers appear in no rush to part ways with one of their most versatile attackers.

Spurs’ interest in Kudus underlines their desire to reinforce the forward line, even after securing Mathys Tel permanently from Bayern Munich. Kudus, who has expressed a preference for joining Tottenham should he leave the London Stadium, reportedly has no issues with personal terms.

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However, West Ham are protected by a well-timed release clause, which – for Premier League clubs – is set at £85 million and only active for the first ten days of July. Spurs’ current £50m offer falls well short of that valuation.

Kudus’ Form and Versatility Still Command Value

Despite a quieter 2024-25 season – five goals and four assists in 35 appearances – Kudus remains a prized asset. His debut campaign was far more explosive, tallying 18 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. His ability to operate across the frontline – whether wide, central, or deeper – adds further intrigue to Spurs’ pursuit.

Kudus arrived at West Ham in August 2023 for €41.5m (£35.6m) plus €3m in add-ons. The investment looked like a masterstroke early on, but inconsistency and the club’s broader struggles last season (14th-place finish) may have dulled the shine temporarily. Nonetheless, he remains under contract until 2028, which strengthens West Ham’s negotiating position significantly.

Spurs Scrambling After Mbeumo Snub

Tottenham have also suffered setbacks in other attacking pursuits. Bryan Mbeumo, once a prime target, has signalled his intent to join Manchester United instead, despite the allure of a reunion with former manager Thomas Frank.

In parallel, Spurs made an enquiry for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, only to see the Ghanaian international sign a new deal on the south coast. With Kudus also Ghanaian and on their radar, it’s clear that Tottenham are seeking explosiveness and versatility in attack – traits Kudus possesses in abundance.

Transfer Tensions Rise as Deadline Looms

With the buyout clause window closing soon, Spurs must act decisively if they’re serious. A bump to £85m would activate the clause, removing West Ham’s ability to negotiate. Yet it’s unclear whether Spurs, under new leadership and rebuilding cautiously, are prepared to go that high.

As things stand, West Ham are playing a strong hand. Kudus might want the move, but unless Tottenham increase their bid significantly, the deal appears unlikely to materialise – at least in the current window.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Tottenham fan’s point of view, the Kudus saga is both exciting and frustrating. On the one hand, it’s encouraging to see the club targeting a player of Mohammed Kudus’ calibre – someone with the creativity, drive, and end product that Spurs have often lacked in deeper attacking roles. His versatility across the frontline makes him an ideal fit for Thomas Frank, especially with the departure of Richarlison still unresolved and ongoing questions about depth in wide areas.

Kudus’ numbers from his debut season in England – 18 goals and 10 assists – show exactly why he’s rated so highly. Even in a struggling West Ham side last season he showed glimpses, his technical quality and ability to unlock defences were evident. He may not have matched his previous heights in 2024-25, but his potential remains clear.

What’s disappointing, though, is the predictability of the club’s initial bid falling short. Spurs fans have seen it before – strong interest, a low opening offer, and a drawn-out process that risks losing the player altogether. With the buyout clause ticking down, time is of the essence. If the club really wants Kudus, a bold move is required now. Negotiating value is important, but missing out on him while rivals strengthen would be a bitter pill to swallow.

That said, Kudus wanting the move is a major positive. Personal terms reportedly being straightforward is another box ticked. There’s still hope this deal can happen – and if it does, it could be one of the most exciting additions of the summer window.