According to Charles Watts, Arsenal’s ability to get Mohammed Kudus, a winger for West Ham United, this summer would “surprise” him.

According to The Athletic (April 19), the Gunners and Liverpool are reportedly interested in the 23-year-old due to his impressive first season in the Premier League, in which he scored eight goals and laid on six assists.

According to Watts, a former journalist from Football London, Mikel Arteta may or may not be interested in signing the Ghanaian to North London this summer. If so, he thinks they will have a hard time matching the Irons’ “huge” transfer fee.

“Signing cover for the wide areas has long been on the agenda,” he wrote in his CaughtOffside blog on Tuesday (4 June). He mentioned previous interest in Raphinha and Pedro Neto, as well as Kudus.

However, their interest never truly took root because their budget couldn’t accommodate it. I am uncertain as to whether or not that curiosity persists.

“Considering his impressive performance since joining West Ham, his transfer fee would be astronomical. Arsenal’s current roster priorities make it hard to imagine them coming close to that amount.”

Even though West Ham will be starting to adjust under Julen Lopetegui’s leadership, the club is not expected to be eager to let any of its star players leave during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Irons likely cannot afford to lose Kudus this summer because they would be severely depleted of creative players, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding Lucas Paqueta’s future due to the charges leveled against him by the FA.

There are also profit and sustainability rules that all Premier League clubs must follow. Due to the regulations, clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal are not likely to pay exоrbitant sums for individual players.

It is my sincere hope that Arsenal’s first interest is only that. A large bid might come for the 23-year-old, but you’d imagine West Ham would do whatever it took to hold on to him, just like they did with Declan Rice.

Emerson, meanwhile, has been linked to a return to Roma and is allegedly prepared to depart the London Stadium this summer, according to West Ham United.

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