Arsenal-linked Ajax star Mohammed Kudus has turned down a contract extension with his current club and made them aware of his desire for a summer transfer.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Mohammed Kudus has rejected a one-year extension to stay at Ajax beyond 2025, and he’s made the club aware of his intention to depart the club this summer.

Ajax are expected to want a £40m fee for the midfielder, but they’ve shown they’re open to doing deals when players enter the final two years of their contracts.

Arsenal join Manchester United and Newcastle United in tracking Kudus, and the Gunners admire the midfielder.

Though the suggestion is that other targets may be above Kudus for Arsenal as it stands.

That list may include Chelsea’s Mason Mount, with Ornstein confirming that Arsenal are pushing to sign the 24-year-old.

As with Kudus, Mount has interest from elsewhere in the Premier League.

Liverpool and Manchester United will provide strong competition if he decides to leave Chelsea, but Chelsea will also try to get him to extend his deal before agreeing to sell.

As it stands, Mount’s contract expires in 2024, so if Chelsea can’t convince him to extend, this would be one of their last chances to cash in.

With all the competition for Mount’s signature, it’s very possible Arsenal will end up needing to look at other targets, and perhaps that may lead to a bid for Kudus.

If so, it’s obviously helpful that he’s pushing to leave the Eredivisie side this summer.

Kudus has made 41 appearances for Ajax this season, scoring 18 goals and providing six assists. A versatile attacker, he can play in an attacking midfield role, on the wing, or even up front.

As well as his contributions at club level, Kudus caught the eye at the World Cup, scoring two goals in three games with Ghana.

The 22-year-old has been a key figure for his national team for the last couple of years, generally starting matches whenever he’s been fit.