As Arsenal focus on the January transfer market, they are considering West Ham's Mohammed Kudus as a key target, potentially replacing Leandro Trossard, amid reports of a £40 million offer from Saudi club Al-Ittihad.
As Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal navigate a challenging Premier League season, the club is focusing on the January transfer window for potential reinforcements. Among their primary targets is West Ham's Mohammed Kudus, an impressive winger who could provide Arsenal with a boost in their title quest. Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard has reportedly attracted interest from the Saudi club Al-Ittihad, which failed to secure the 29-year-old winger during the last window but now appears ready to return with a £40 million offer.
Arsenal's interest in Kudus, 24, is longstanding, as the club considered signing the Ghanaian international before his move from Ajax to West Ham for £40 million last year. However, with renewed interest in Trossard from the Saudi Pro League and a possible offer, Arsenal is once again viewing Kudus as a significant addition to Arteta's squad. Despite recent controversies, Kudus has demonstrated his attacking skills since joining West Ham. His influence at the London Stadium is evident, having scored 16 goals and provided seven assists across 55 appearances.
However, his recent red card against Tottenham, which resulted from a confrontation with several Spurs players during a tense moment, has drawn further attention as he awaits potential additional disciplinary actions from the FA. While West Ham succeeded in securing a victory against Manchester United without Kudus, their following 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest highlighted the significant impact the Ghanaian has in important games. His skill and speed with the ball could be valuable assets for Arsenal, particularly as they seek versatile players capable of filling various attacking roles.
On the other hand, Trossard’s future at Arsenal remains uncertain. The Belgian international, who joined from Brighton in January 2023, has made a substantial impact, scoring 20 goals in 80 appearances. With just 18 months remaining on his contract, Al-Ittihad’s renewed interest puts Arsenal in a position to assess Trossard’s value and possibly use the transfer fee to fund a move for Kudus. Notably, Premier League title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City are also rumored to be interested in Kudus, which could prompt Arsenal to act quickly.
A potential £90 million deal would represent another major investment for Arsenal under Arteta's leadership. The club's willingness to spend, as demonstrated by summer signings like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, highlights their ambition to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level. Adding Kudus would not only strengthen their lineup but also indicate their determination to challenge the best. With the January window approaching, Arsenal's choices concerning Trossard and Kudus could define the second half of their season. Whether or not the Gunners complete a deal, it's evident that Arteta's Arsenal will continue seeking opportunities to bolster their title ambitions.
