Chelsea are preparing to step up their pursuit of Ghanaian star Mohammed Kudus, with an official £55 million bid set to land on West Ham United’s desk in the coming days. The Blues are determined to land the dynamic forward, who has become one of the most sought-after talents in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old, who joined West Ham from Ajax for £38 million in 2023, has caught the attention of several top clubs with his explosive performances. Kudus has netted 19 goals in 80 appearances for the Hammers, showcasing his ability to operate across multiple attacking positions.

Tottenham Hotspur were first to act, submitting a bid that was swiftly rejected by West Ham. However, Chelsea are reportedly ready to outmuscle their London rivals by offering £55 million plus an additional £5 million in potential add-ons—bringing the total deal close to the £60 million valuation set by West Ham.

Following Chelsea’s narrow 2-1 victory over Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup final on Saturday, head coach Enzo Maresca was full of praise for Kudus, though remained diplomatic.

“He’s a West Ham player, so I can’t say much,” Maresca said. “The only thing I can say is that I’ve known Kudus since his time at Ajax.”

With Chelsea believed to be keen on reinforcing their attacking options ahead of the new season, insiders suggest the Blues see Kudus as the perfect fit for Maresca’s system.