Mohammed Kudus has turned down a new deal at Ajax and has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Chelsea, both of which are anticipated to be outbid by a Premier League rival.

Arsenal and Chelsea appear to have ruled themselves out of contention for Mohammed Kudus, who is close to joining Brighton.

Ajax’s star has risen in value, and several big Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for the Ghanaian. The Seagulls, on the other hand, appear to have stolen a march, and a deal worth £34.5 million – which exceeds the club-record cost they paid earlier this summer to sign Joao Pedro – now appears to be on the verge of being completed.

Kudus has agreed to personal terms with Brighton, whose manager Roberto De Zerbi pushed for the transfer after identifying the Ajax player as a significant target. The Ghana international reportedly turned down a new contract in Amsterdam earlier this year and was eager to leave the Dutch capital.

Chelsea is said to have contacted Ajax recently to express interest in Kudus, but has now moved on to other possibilities. Brighton have qualified for Europe for the first time after finishing top for the first time in their history last season, and they have cash to spend after some key exits.

The Ajax midfielder was with the club for three seasons, scoring 16 goals in 63 Eredivisie games. He has seven goals in 24 appearances for Ghana, including two in the World Cup last winter. After Ajax paid £8 million to sign Kudus from FC Nordsjaelland in 2020, he will be a significant profit for the Dutch club.

Brighton have also added Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht for £16 million this summer, as well as James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud on free transfers. So far, the Seagulls have turned down Chelsea’s approach for Moises Caicedo, who has been a bright spot at the Amex and would command a high amount if he departed.

Chelsea has paid around £25 million for his former goalkeeper, Spanish international Robert Sanchez. The shot-stopper will now face off against Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Chelsea has lost several players this summer, and Mauricio Pochettino is still trying to establish himself at the club. Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have made big contributions to the last third in recent months.

Meanwhile, Arsenal has spent over £200 million on new players, including the club-record acquisition of West Ham’s Declan Rice. Mikel Arteta will most likely spend the last weeks of the transfer window unloading players from the Emirates.