Mohammed Kudus 'wants Ajax exit amid Manchester United, Arsenal links'

Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus is reportedly keen to leave the Dutch giants this summer amid interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.

The Ghana international has caught the eye with his performances domestically and at the World Cup, coming up with 18 goals and six assists in 41 matches throughout the season.

Kudus struck four goals in six Champions League games during Ajax's short-lived group-stage run and has also found the net 11 times in the Eredivisie, only behind Steven Bergwijn and Brian Brobbey for the Amsterdam giants this season.

The 22-year-old was rewarded for his domestic progression with a call-up to the 2022 World Cup, where he scored twice in a 3-2 win over South Korea for Ghana, who failed to make the knockout rounds.

Kudus's exploits are believed to have attracted the attention of Man United head coach Erik ten Hag, who worked with the attacker at Ajax and would be open to a reunion at Old Trafford.

Arsenal and Newcastle United are also rumoured to be tracking Kudus's progress, and the former Nordsjaelland youngster is only under contract with Ajax for another two years, although he downplayed talk of a move to Man United earlier this year.

However, all three Premier League clubs have seemingly been handed a boost in their respective pursuits of Kudus, as The Athletic claims that the 22-year-old is planning to leave Ajax this summer.

The Ghanaian was apparently offered a new one-year deal by the Eredivisie giants in April, but he rejected the renewal and informed the club of his intention to seek pastures new.

With Ajax previously showing reluctance to let players enter the final two years of their contracts, a sale will likely be on the cards this summer if Kudus stands firm on his stance.

The report adds that suitors can expect to be quoted as much as £40m to prise Kudus away from Amsterdam, although that fee is variable depending on what calibre of clubs show a serious interest.

The 22-year-old is not believed to be high up on the wishlists of Arsenal, Newcastle and Man United, but all three clubs have taken a liking to him and may consider a swoop if they miss out on their big-name targets.

A product of the Right to Dream academy in Ghana, Kudus spent two years in Denmark with Nordsjaelland before making the move to Ajax in 2020 in a €9m (£7.8m) deal.

The versatile attacker - who has played as a winger, number 10 and striker for Ajax this season - has scored 23 goals and provided 10 assists in 83 games for the Dutch club, winning two Eredivisie titles and one KNVB Beker in the process.

Man United will be in the market for a new striker this summer ahead of the expected exits of Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst, who is set to return to Burnley at the end of his loan spell.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are expected to prioritise midfield additions, but the Gunners could try to bolster their attacking ranks if Folarin Balogun and Reiss Nelson depart in the coming months.