Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Ghanaian forward Mohammed Kudus from West Ham in a deal worth £55 million, marking the first transfer between the two clubs since Scott Parker moved to Spurs in 2011.
The 23-year-old has signed a six-year contract with the North London club after Spurs saw their initial £50m bid rejected. Chelsea and Newcastle also explored the possibility of signing the versatile attacker, but Kudus made it clear his preference was to join Spurs.
A Rare Deal Between Fierce Rivals
Given the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs, transfers between Tottenham and West Ham are exceptionally rare. But Kudus, determined to work under new Spurs boss Thomas Frank, pushed for the move.
A reported fee of £54.5m allowed Spurs to avoid a potential “Tottenham tax” that West Ham were expected to impose, reflecting their hesitation to deal with a direct rival. Still, the Hammers will reinvest a portion of the transfer fee as Graham Potter looks to reshape the squad in his first full season at the helm.
Kudus’ Premier League Journey So Far
Kudus joined West Ham from Ajax in 2023 for £38m and impressed in his debut season, notching 14 goals and nine assists across all competitions. His explosive dribbling and creative spark quickly made him a fan favourite and earned him recognition from pundits, including being named Premier League Newcomer of the Year by Gary Neville.
However, his second season saw a dip in output. He managed just five goals in all competitions, with some critics pointing to inconsistent team form and his deployment in multiple positions as contributing factors. Still, his talent remains unquestioned, and Spurs believe he can rediscover his best under the right conditions.
A Key Piece for Thomas Frank’s Spurs Rebuild
Kudus becomes the first major signing of the Thomas Frank era at Tottenham. Known for his fluid attacking system at Brentford, Frank helped develop players like Bryan Mbeumo, who scored 20 goals last season operating from a similar right-sided role that Kudus could occupy.
Spurs, who scored 18 more goals than West Ham last season despite finishing three places lower, believe the 23-year-old adds much-needed attacking depth and versatility, with the ability to operate on either wing, behind the striker, or even as a false nine.
Wissa Still on the Radar
Despite Kudus’ arrival, Tottenham remain interested in Yoane Wissa, another former Thomas Frank player. The 28-year-old Brentford forward is in the final year of his contract. While there has been no formal contact between the clubs, discussions are expected soon.
What’s Next for Kudus?
As Kudus turns 25 later this summer, he’ll be hoping to reignite the spark of his debut Premier League season in a Spurs team built to attack and express. With a fresh start under Frank and a club that sees him as a key player in their rebuild, the Ghanaian star now has a platform to elevate his game to new heights.