After a few stalemates, Everton are finally back to winning ways last weekend. The Toffees defeated West Ham United, thanks to the solitary goal from their summer signing Neal Maupay. However, the former Brighton & Hove Albion ‘number 9’ was not the only shortlisted name with Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus being the other prime target whose move was blocked by the Dutch giants late in the transfer window.
The Ghanaian has finally opened up on the failed transfer as he reiterated his desire to join the Merseysiders while speaking to NOS.
“Everton offered me a great opportunity and I wanted to try it. No footballer wants to sit on the bench and neither do I. Although I understood that not everyone can play all the time, Everton seemed like a good option at the time.”
Told Kudus, who is now enjoying a productive spell high up the pitch with 7 goals and 1 assist in 10 games across competitions. He silenced the Anfield crowd with a stellar strike in their Champions League outing against Liverpool and his stakes, therefore, would be higher in the upcoming January window.
The 22-year-old Black Stars international progressed through the renowned Ghanaian football academy Right to Dream before joining Nordsjælland back in the summer of 2018. Ajax scouted him extensively while he was shining for the Danish side and the Eredivisie champions decided to splash a fee of around €9m to secure his services two years later.
Why Everton Must Reignite Interest In Kudus
Despite beginning his career as a midfield attacker, new Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder has played a masterstroke by converting Kudus into a centre-forward. He is now the preferred striking option ahead of Brian Brobbey and the same should continue given his form and finesse while spearheading the attack.
Meanwhile, Everton are still waiting for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to recover from a ‘slightly complicated‘ injury. Richarlison left the club this summer for Tottenham Hotspur, whereas 33-year-old Salomón Rondón is only viewed as a sporadic option. Maupay could only score 27 times in 109 appearances donning the Seagulls’ colours and the gaffer Frank Lampard must opt for a statement signing to boost the Toffees after avoiding relegation quite narrowly at the backend of the previous campaign.
Everton are showing slow but steady progress under the former Chelsea great and the brand value of the Premier League should help them lure in Kudus in the forthcoming future. A transfer, however, must be relying on Ajax’s Champions League fortune.
