Man Utd 'plot move for Ajax's Mohammed Kudus' as Erik ten Hag looks to raid former club

Manchester United are 'plotting a move' for Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus as Erik ten Hag looks to continue the raid of his former club.

Kudus has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League following a series of eye-catching performances for the Dutch club.

The 22-year-old scored 18 goals across 42 matches in all competitions last season, providing a further seven assists.

United, Arsenal and Liverpool are all thought to be keeping tabs on the Ghanaian, whose contract is due to expire in 2025.

While Kudus is reportedly eager for a move away after rejecting a one-year contact extension at Ajax, who disappointingly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League last term, finishing third in the Eredivisie.

His agent, Jennifer Mendelewitsch, recently confirmed his desire to leave, stating: "I think it is best for both Ajax and Mohammed that he makes a transfer now.

"Now is the right time. He has ignored a proposal to extend his contract until the summer of 2026. What I can say is that after the World Cup and this season there is a lot of interest in Kudus," she added (quotes via De Telegraaf).

And it seems Ten Hag is keen to bring him to Old Trafford, having already signed both Lisandro Martinez and Antony from his former club.

Kudus 'high on Ten Hag's list'

After Manchester United's arduous pursuit of Mason Mount reportedly came to an end on Saturday, the United boss has cast his mind to some potential alternatives.

Among those on the Dutchman's list is Kudus, with the club having made enquiries into the versatile attacker's availability, according to ESPN.

While he is described to be "high on the list" of Ten Hag by De Telegraaf's podcast Kick-off.

And it seems Kudus isn't short of confidence, either, claiming that Brazilian superstar Neymar is "not better than him".

The pair were involved in a fiery exchange when Brazil beat Ghana 3-0 in a friendly last September, but the defeat only added to Kudus' growing appetite to become one of the best in the world.

"He’s [Neymar] not better than me. He’s just a higher profile player, that’s all,” he told The Guardian in November.

Discussing the pair's dispute, Kudus explained: “He was defending his country and I was defending mine. I wasn’t about to let him push me around. What makes him better, for now, is that he has achieved a lot.”

“I’ll get there soon,” he added.