Newcastle are interested in signing Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus, according to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein.

The trusted journalist claims that the Ghanaian international is on the Magpies’ shortlist, but Arsenal and Manchester United are also fans of the player:

🚨 Excl: Mohammed Kudus declined 1yr extension at Ajax in April + informed club of wish to leave. Contract 2025 + #Ajax tend to sell at this stage. Likely to take ~£40m. Likes of #AFC #MUFC #NUFC tracking 22yo although not current top target @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/HHJY2QRmsF

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 22, 2023

Kudus has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season and he has recently rejected an offer to extend his contract with Ajax, prompting speculation that he will leave the Netherlands this summer.

As Ornstein mentions, it is believed the Eredivisie side would be open to offloading the 22-year-old if a club meets his £40m asking price.

Where would Kudus fit into Newcastle’s team if he is signed?

The Ghanaian has played as a right winger, centre-forward and as a no.10 for Ajax this campaign, which are all positions that manager Eddie Howe is looking to strengthen.

At the moment, the Magpies are said to be prioritising other targets, with the likes of Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby and RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai being favoured, but they may consider Kudus as a potential option later on in the summer.