West Ham United have reportedly identified Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus as a potential replacement for Lucas Paqueta.
The Hammers are understood to have rebuffed an offer of £73.4m plus £8.6m in add-ons from Manchester City to sign Paqueta, as they are holding out for a figure closer to £95m.
Paqueta only joined West Ham last summer for a club-record £51m, scoring five goals and registering seven assists in 41 appearances as David Moyes's side ended the 2022-23 campaign as Europa Conference League winners.
However, the 25-year-old is said to have expressed his desire to move to treble winners Man City this summer and has allegedly agreed personal terms over a six-year contract.
A recent report claims that the Citizens are preparing an improved bid for the Brazil international and negotiations are expected to advance between the two clubs.
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Should Paqueta depart the London Stadium, Romano adds that West Ham will look to recruit Ghana international Kudus, who has been identified as their 'priority target'.
The Hammers are said to have opened initial talks with the 23-year-old's representatives and they are aware that the player is open to swapping Ajax for East London.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports News claims that West Ham have made an initial enquiry to Ajax over Kudus, but their pursuit of the versatile attacker, who can operate in midfield, on either flank or up front, depends on the potential sale of Paqueta.
Earlier this month, Kudus appeared to be closing in on a move to Brighton & Hove Albion, who had allegedly agreed a fee in the region of €40m (£34.6m) with Ajax to sign the Ghanaian.
However, Kudus's proposed move to the Seagulls has stalled as both parties have failed to reach an agreement over personal terms.
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Kudus, who has also been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, is seeking a fresh challenge away from Ajax and is keen to leave the club after three years in the Netherlands.
The player's agent Jennifer Mendelewitsch suggested last month that a summer departure may take place for his client this summer, stating that it is "the right time" for the attacker to seek pastures new.
Although Ajax failed to qualify for this season's Champions League, finishing third in the 2022-23 Eredivisie, Kudus enjoyed a productive campaign in front of goal, scoring 18 times and providing six assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
West Ham have already swooped for one Ajax player so far this summer in Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez, while they completed the signing of James Ward-Prowse from Southampton on Monday.
Oliver Thomas
