Former Newcastle United transfer target Mohammed Kudus will be attracting serious interest with his performances at the World Cup.
The 22-year-old is part of Ghana’s squad, who currently have three points from their first two games. Kudus was lively in the defeat to Portugal, but stole the show in his side’s second game.
The Ajax ace started once again against South Korea, and played a pivotal role in his country securing victory. Ghana won 3-2, with Kudus scoring twice.
His brace was historic, as he became the first ever Ghanaian player to score two goals in one game at a World Cup. The midfielder’s first was a delicate header, while the second was a measured finish.
Kudus’ goals won him the Player of the Match award, and will have the Black Stars dreaming of qualifying for the knockout stages. And it will also have Newcastle fans wondering what could have been.
Newcastle wanted Kudus in 2020 and 2022
The Magpies have been linked with Kudus on more than once occasion. The first time he was mentioned as a target was back in 2020, when he was playing for Nordsjaelland in Denmark.
Ghanasoccernet claimed in April of that year that Newcastle’s incoming owners wanted to bring Kudus to the club. However, that wasn’t possible after the takeover was put on hold.
But by the summer of 2022, Amanda Staveley and co had bought the Magpies, and were once again linked with Kudus, who had since joined Ajax.
Ghanasoccernet claimed once again that Newcastle were one of four Premier League clubs interested in the midfielder. The others were Everton, Tottenham and Leeds. He was actually very close to joining the Toffees, but unfortunately for them a move collapsed.
Given his performances at the World Cup, English interest in Kudus will surely be on the horizon, and now is the time for Newcastle to re-enter the race.
Time to reignite interest in Ghana’s rising star
Newcastle are looking for future stars who can already make a difference in the first-team. They want players with longevity, which is why they bought the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman.
Given he is only 22, Kudus would fall into the same bracket. His performances for Ghana and Ajax are exceptional – he has now excelled at a World Cup and in the Champions League. In all competitions for club and country this season, Kudus now has 12 goals and two assists.
Newcastle are in the market for an attacking midfielder. They have been linked with James Maddison, who was valued at £60million by Leicester in the summer.
Kudus could play the same role, is four years younger, and would be a lot cheaper. The Ghanaian talent has that killer instinct in the final third, and can even play as a central striker if required.
He has been described as a ‘special‘ player in the past, and it would be a joy to see him in the Premier League. Hopefully Newcastle decide to reignite their interest in one of the World Cup’s emerging stars.
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