Ajax sporting director Sven Mislintat has admitted Mohammed Kudus could leave the club amid interest from Chelsea and Arsenal but warned his price will go up in the coming weeks.
Arsenal are interested in signing the 22-year-old this summer but reports this week claim Chelsea are ready to hijack that move and are close to agreeing personal terms over a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have not yet submitted an offer but initial talks are thought to have taken place.
Brighton are also interested in the Ghana international’s services while he has also been strongly linked with a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United over the last 12 months.
Speaking to Ajax Life, Mislintat admitted the club have been contacted by interested parties but are still awaiting a concrete offer for Kudus.
‘There are clubs that have informally enquired about him. I don’t expect an offer very soon, although you know that things can be different in the football world,’ Mislintat told Ajax Life.
‘Perhaps the interest in not as serious as everyone thinks.’
Ajax have already lost Jurrien Timber to Arsenal this summer and in addition to Kudus, the Dutch giants are also facing a battle to hold onto midfielder Edson Alvarez, who West Ham are hoping to sign as a replacement for Declan Rice.
Mislintat says it is possible both players could leave but warns the longer clubs leave it, the higher their asking price will be.
‘There is no fixed deadline, but there are agreements we must have to get replacements if we have not already done so proactively’ he told Aglemeen Dagblad. Their stay or sale also depends on what we will do next.
‘The best thing for is if Kudus and Alvarez stay, then we keep two top players. But it is also possible that one goes, or both.
‘It is important for us that the relationship with the players remains good. This can be done by being transparent and applying good principles. As we get closer to the deadline, the transfer fee, for example, goes up.’
Kudus is currently nursing a minor ankle injury.