Stadion Wankdorf, Bern, Switzerland - March 18, 2021, Ajax Amsterdam's Mohammed Kudus in action with BSC Young Boys' Vincent Sierro.
Everton summer target Mohammed Kudus could still be a viable option in January, The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland says.
The lowdown
The Independent’s Miguel Delaney reported on transfer Deadline Day that Everton had submitted a bid of £15million plus add-ons for the Ajax star.
The reigning Eredivisie champions apparently ‘believe he’ll be worth much more within a year’.
Kudus, 22, seemed determined to force through a move to Everton, with newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (via Sport Witness) claiming he even refused to train.
The latest
Boyland told supporters in a mailbag piece that Kudus may still appeal to Everton in the mid-season window, though he did caution that they would first have to create space in the squad.
He said: “Recruitment staff will already be assessing priorities for the next window. The operation continues 24-7.
“Of course, what happens in January may well be dictated by results over the first half of the season.
“I still feel they may be a goalscorer short, certainly from wide areas. Cody Gakpo, Joao Pedro or even Mohammed Kudus would still make sense. But they are going to have to continue to trim the squad at the same time too.”
The verdict
Kudus has responded brilliantly to the disappointment of not being able to join Everton.
He’s scored three goals in his last two league games, and he also notched a goal and an assist in a 4-0 Champions League win over Rangers.
In total, he has five goals and one assist in just 260 minutes of football before tonight’s clash with Liverpool, which means he’s averaging a goal every 52 minutes.
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He’s won same rave reviews this month, with journalist Maxi Angelo calling him ‘incredible‘ and Karl Matchett dubbing him ‘sensational’ and ‘magical’.
At this rate, the only concern for Everton, based on Delaney’s information, is that they’re priced out come next year.
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