Mohammed Kudus: Al-Nassr Eyes Mega Bid for Ghana Star, Semenyo is the Hunted and Tracked
Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr are in the news again with a mega transfer to sign Ghanaian international Mohammed Kudus. The West Ham United midfielder has emerged as a prime target for the Riyadh-based club, which is determined to strengthen its squad with best-in-class players to compete for domestic and continental titles. Kudus, thanks to his dynamic dribbling, imagination, and goal-scoring ability, has been a target for many of the world's leading clubs, but Al-Nassr's alleged bid might be the most financially appealing so far.
Kudus signed for West Ham from Ajax in 2023 for approximately £38 million and has proven himself to be one of the Premier League's standout performers within a few months. Within a period of less than a season, he has contributed 17 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, an impressive number for a player who was previously new to a division. His versatility to play as an attacking midfielder, winger, or even upfront is an asset that every team wishes it had.
Al-Nassr's transfer bid for Kudus is only the beginning of what is to come of their shameless tactics to the transfer market, having signed megastars Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League already. Al-Nassr will offer a staggering package with a salary deal that comes to €13 million annually, equivalent to about £212,000 a week. This will place Kudas among the elite in earning in the league, and they are obviously gambling that will entice him away from Europe's largest football leagues.
But it won't be easy to sign Kudus. His West Ham deal has a Saudi-specific release clause of £120 million that can only be triggered for a limited period in early July. For Premier League clubs, the buyout fee is £85 million less. Al-Nassr is also hoping to sign him for under that, but it will depend on West Ham's willingness to let go of their prized player and Kudus' aspirations.
Even with the high-profile offer, early signs are that Kudus might want to stay in the Premier League for a minimum of another year. He has recently severed ties with his agent and decided to be represented by relatives. This action implies a need to have more say in his career choices and perhaps a desire for stability over the abrupt change to the Middle East.
Al-Nassr are not pinning their hopes on a single solution, though. As an insurance policy, they are monitoring another Ghanaian player, Antoine Semenyo, who is currently at Bournemouth. Semenyo has impressed with his pace, strength, and goal threat, and this has sent other European clubs, including Manchester United, sniffing around. Al-Nassr reckon that they are a fall-back option should they not manage to sign Kudus.
Semenyo has impressed and his Premier League output hasn't gone unnoticed. Though not up the same class as Kudus, with the ability to play across the attacking line, he's a desirable signing for teams looking to add width in attack.
As the summer window approaches, the two will be eagerly looking towards the future. As Kudus will be taking his next step carefully into consideration, Al-Nassr's might and strategy will be too much to turn down for many. The gauntlet has currently been thrown in Kudus' court, and the world is waiting to see whether he steps into the Saudi Pro League or goes by his rising in Europe's elite leagues.
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Mohammed Kudus: Al-Nassr Eyes Mega Bid for Ghana Star, Semenyo is the Hunted and Tracked
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