Ghanaian prodigy Mohammed Kudus has indicated that his remarkable first career hat-trick for Ajax Amsterdam on Thursday might mark the culmination of his time with the club.
In a captivating display of skill and finesse during the 2023/24 Uefa Europa League group stage playoff first-leg 4-1 victory against Ludogorets in Bulgaria, the 23-year-old asserted his presence on the field with a swift two-minute brace in the first half, followed by a decisive third goal in the 50th minute.
UEL: Kudus hat-trick powers Ajax to commanding victory over Ludogorets
Having set his sights on a departure from Ajax this summer, Kudus has garnered considerable attention from several prestigious European clubs, including Brighton, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, and West Ham United.
In an intense race for his signature, the London Stadium outfit appeared to have emerged victorious, reportedly sealing the deal with a substantial €44.5 million agreement with the Dutch Eredivisie giants on Wednesday.
Remarkably, Kudus found himself in the Ajax starting lineup for the Thursday evening fixture, already with one foot in the door of his prospective new adventure at the London Stadium.
And he seemed to solidify his imminent move to the Premier League side by delivering a phenomenal three-goal performance.
In the aftermath of his extraordinary hat-trick, Kudus addressed the possibility of the game serving as his farewell performance in the revered Ajax jersey, saying, “Yes, I think so.”
While acknowledging the ongoing negotiations, he conceded a lack of control over the unfolding situation.
“But we see what happens in the next days because I don’t have control over everything. We see in the next days what happens,” Kudus further deliberated, shedding light on the dynamic nature of the imminent transfer.
“Talks are going on so we will see if there’s an agreement in the next days, then we take it from there. That’s not my call or my job; I just have to do my work on the pitch. My team and my people will take care of the rest.”
Mohammed Kudus also shared his impression of West Ham United as a ‘good club,’ offering a subtle yet revealing insight into his anticipation for the upcoming chapter of his career.
As his remarkable hat-trick resonates as a potential climax to his time with Ajax, it simultaneously heralds an exciting prelude to his anticipated journey with the Hammers.
