Newcastle targeting £90m West Ham star to bolster attack

Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus as a potential major upgrade on their current right winger Jacob Murphy. The Ghana international has impressed since joining the Hammers last summer, catching the attention of several top clubs.

According to reports, Newcastle would need to break their transfer record to land Kudus, with West Ham valuing him at around £90 million. Arsenal and Liverpool are also said to be interested, setting up a potential bidding war for the 23-year-old’s services.

Kudus has shone both domestically and in Europe for West Ham this season. In the Premier League, he has contributed 8 goals and 6 assists in 33 appearances, while also scoring 5 goals in 9 Europa League matches. His dribbling ability and creative output far exceed that of Murphy, who has managed 3 goals and 7 assists in 21 league games.

The Ghanaian’s all-round game could provide Newcastle with a significant boost in attacking quality. He completes 3.8 dribbles per match compared to Murphy’s 0.6, while also boasting a superior pass completion rate of 84% versus 74%.

Though the price tag is steep, Kudus’ proven Premier League experience and match-winning abilities could make him worth the investment for Newcastle as they look to push on to the next level. Manager Eddie Howe will need to offload players to fund any move, with Miguel Almiron mentioned as a potential departure to raise funds.

If Newcastle can find a way to finance the deal, Kudus could be the type of statement signing to elevate their attack and help them compete at the top end of the table. His dribbling skills, creativity and goal threat would add a new dimension to the Magpies’ forward line.