English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion have reached an agreement in principle with Ajax to sign Ghanaian attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus at a quoted fee of €40 million (£34.5 million; $44 million), according to reports.
The Ghanaian World Cup poster boy is close to agreeing personal terms with the Premier League club, the report adds.
He will become the club’s record purchase, surpassing the price paid for Joao Pedro this summer, which was just under £30 million.
The move has been driven by Brighton’s head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, who views Kudus as a key target.
The Athletic reported last month that Chelsea had made contact with Ajax to express an interest in Kudus, who turned 23 this week.
Brighton have rejected four bids from Chelsea for midfielder Moises Caicedo, the latest being an offer of £80 million (£75 million plus £5 million in add-ons) made last month.
Kudus, 23, is under contract at Ajax until 2025 but rejected a one-year extension in April and is keen to leave the Johan Cruyff Arena.
He has spent three seasons in Amsterdam, scoring 16 goals in 63 Eredivisie matches. He has scored seven goals in 24 appearances for Ghana, including two at the 2022 World Cup in the 3-2 group-stage win over South Korea.
