In the latest twist of the transfer saga surrounding Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus, West Ham United has emerged as a contender to secure his services.

Renowned football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that West Ham is now in the race to sign Kudus, who has been a target for several top Premier League clubs.

Despite interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal over the past year, it is West Ham that has positioned itself as a potential destination for the 23-year-old Ghanaian.

Kudus, who is under contract with Ajax until 2025, has garnered significant attention due to his skill and versatility.

The interest from West Ham comes as they consider Kudus as a potential replacement for Lucas Paqueta, who is the subject of interest from Manchester City.

West Ham previously rejected an offer from City for Paqueta and is now preparing for a renewed approach. City's bid for Paqueta is expected to be around €40 million.

While West Ham's preference is to retain Paqueta, the allure of a substantial bid from Manchester City could prove difficult to resist.

As a result, West Ham is exploring alternative options, with Kudus emerging as their primary target. Initial discussions between Kudus and West Ham have reportedly taken place, and the player is reportedly open to the move.

However, any potential deal for Kudus would also depend on the outcome of the situation involving Paqueta and Manchester City.

If City's pursuit of Paqueta is successful, West Ham could intensify their efforts to secure Kudus as a replacement.

Brighton had appeared to be close to securing Kudus last week, with a transfer agreement reportedly in place with Ajax.

However, personal terms between the player and Brighton could not be agreed as the player wanted a release clause in his contract, leaving the door open for other clubs to make their move.

Kudus remains a key figure for Ajax, as evidenced by his goal in their recent Eredivisie opener against Heracles.

With multiple clubs vying for his signature, the next steps in Kudus' career are set to be determined in the coming weeks as the transfer window continues.