Chelsea Approach West Ham with Wild Swap Deal That’d be One of the Best Pieces of Business This Summer
Details of a stunning swap deal proposed by Chelsea to West Ham have emerged, with the Hammers responding immediately. After a strong season, West Ham have been busy with their own recruitment efforts. Chelsea saw off competition from a number of Premier League clubs to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich for a fee of £30 million, with the former Manchester City striker signing a six-year deal. The Blues have also brought in youngster Dario Essugo from Sporting CP for a reported £18.5 million in a deal which was announced last week.
The two-time Champions League winners are expected to be busy in the market, and there’s also been word that they went to West Ham with an offer for midfielder Mohammed Kudus. West Ham instantly reject Chelsea’s swap deal proposal.
According to reports, Chelsea suggested the idea of trading Kudus for Christopher Nkunku, who has found himself out of favor and is poised to move on this summer. West Ham have been linked with the Frenchman, but the report states that the approach was “flatly rejected” as the Hammers’ officials still see Kudus as an important part of their squad.
Other clubs have expressed interest in Kudus, who has been a consistent performer for West Ham. Kudus has been in fine form, showcasing his skills and contributing to West Ham’s success.
Image: Getty Mohammed Kudus has been a key player for West Ham.
Kudus’s impressive performances have made him a valuable asset to West Ham, and it seems the Hammers are not willing to let him go without a fight. Chelsea’s proposal would have been a significant coup for the Blues, but West Ham are keen to retain their talented midfielder.
Elsewhere, Chelsea reportedly want other top targets. According to Fabrizio Romano, Nico Williams is a priority for both Chelsea and Arsenal, and they are prepared to fork out big money to seal the deal for the Athletic Club star.
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Cole Palmer could be a factor in Chelsea deal to sign West Ham star Mohammed Kudus
Damien Charles Lucas
4 – 5 minutes
Chelsea are currently mulling whether to sign Mohammed Kudus in what will be a pivotal sale for West Ham and Cole Palmer could be a big factor.
When West Ham signed Mohammed Kudus from Ajax, they beat Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton to his signature.
The reason the Hammers were able to sign the Ghanaian ahead of the Blues and Gunners was because they were spent out.
Chelsea had spent record amounts bringing in all manner of top young stars and Arsenal had signed Declan Rice from West Ham for £105m.
The Hammers edged out Brighton by agreeing to Kudus’ demands to insert a release clause in his contract.
Chelsea still mulling Kudus deal as West Ham name price
It was always the plan that Kudus would be moved on after one or two seasons.
West Ham’s problem is that his dip in form in his second campaign means they are unlikely to get the £85m laid out in his clause.
West Ham have revealed three Premier League clubs want Kudus – one of those being confirmed as Chelsea.
Hammers News was the first to reveal talks between Chelsea and West Ham over a possible deal for Kudus.
That also saw a number of Blues players discussed as part of the equation.
West Ham chief David Sullivan and Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly. Inset, West Ham and Chelsea badges
Credit: GLYN KIRK/AFP/Robin Jones/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Kaveh Solhekol delivered a major update on Chelsea’s stance over a move for Kudus.
In it, Sky Sports’ chief reporter revealed that Blues chief Todd Boehly ‘has not said no’ to signing Kudus from West Ham.
The situation is still very much live and Chelsea are said to be mulling whether to go for a deal, with West Ham willing to accept in the region of £65-70m for the 24-year-old.
So Cole Palmer could be a factor in a Chelsea deal to sign West Ham star Kudus.
Palmer is hands down Chelsea’s most important and influential player.
Palmer could be a factor in Chelsea deal to sign Kudus
Whether that influence extends to the boardroom when it comes to his opinion on players could prove crucial for the Hammers.
Palmer is a man of many talents and few words.
But he reserved some of them to rave about Kudus during an interview recently.
Palmer was asked to rank the three most skilful players in the Premier League – not including himself.
He chose West Ham star Kudus, Palace’s Eberechi Eze and ex Man City academy graduate Phil Foden as his top three.
But Palmer showed particular interest in Kudus, and was buzzing at the mere mention of his name.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Palmer raved about West Ham star as Chelsea could sign
“Kudus is very good, like very, very good,” Palmer said unprompted when deliberating his picks.
“Just (basing it) on skills, I’ll put Kudus third.
“(But) I like everything about his game. He’s fast, strong, technically good.
“Yeah I think he’s a very, very, very good player.”
If Palmer’s opinion holds any sway with Boehly then it could prove decisive as Chelsea mull the decision.
There is no lack of irony here either.
Because Palmer could and should be playing with Kudus at West Ham.
Bitter irony of Palmer and Kudus partnership for Hammers
West Ham agreed a deal with Man City to sign Palmer to replace Lucas Paqueta who was going in the other direction to Man City back in 2023.
Hammers vice-chair Karren Brady confirmed the Palmer to West Ham deal was true.
That was until the FA announced its investigation into Paqueta over his alleged involvement in spot fixing, collapsing both deals.
“We were close, (very) close (to signing Palmer),” former manager David Moyes said before leaving West Ham last May.
“You can probably imagine the other part of it, where there was a possibility of somebody leaving here which might have made that work.
“I was in regular contact with his agent and we were well on the road with it but it just changed at the end and we couldn’t do it.”
Now destiny could see Palmer and Kudus play together in west London instead of east.
