Why Manchester United's secret Kudus swap deal collapsed - Inside the failed transfer

Behind closed doors at Carrington and the London Stadium, Manchester United and West Ham United were plotting one of the summer's most intriguing transfer manoeuvres.

The secret negotiations centred around a player swap that would have sent Mohammed Kudus to Old Trafford while Jadon Sancho headed in the opposite direction.

Yet despite initial optimism from all parties involved, the deal spectacularly unravelled, leaving the Ghanaian international's future hanging in the balance.

The secret negotiations that nearly changed everything

Manchester United's pursuit of Mohammed Kudus wasn't conducted through the usual channels of public posturing and media speculation.

Instead, according to insider sources, both clubs engaged in discreet discussions away from the spotlight, recognising the mutual benefits such an arrangement could provide.

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The logic appeared sound on paper.

United desperately needed to offload Sancho, whose relationship with manager Erik ten Hag had deteriorated beyond repair, while West Ham required significant revenue to fund their own summer overhaul.

Kudus, meanwhile, had emerged as one of the Premier League's most promising attacking talents during his debut season in English football.

What made the proposal particularly attractive was its potential to solve multiple problems simultaneously.

United would acquire a versatile attacking midfielder entering his prime years, while West Ham would secure a proven Premier League performer and generate the funds necessary for squad reconstruction.

However, the deal's foundations proved more fragile than initially anticipated.

West Ham's coaching staff harboured serious reservations about Sancho's suitability for their tactical system, ultimately deciding that the England international's playing style wouldn't complement their preferred approach under Julen Lopetegui.

Man Utd and West Ham had talks over a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho and Mohammed Kudus.

Sancho was open to a switch to West Ham, while Kudus was eager to make a transfer to Manchester United.

However, West Ham’s management team were unsure about Jadon Sancho’s fit into their…

— Football Transfer News (@FTransferNews) June 3, 2025

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The Cunha and Mbeumo factor

Manchester United's withdrawal from the Kudus negotiations cannot be understood without examining their broader summer transfer strategy.

The club's recent moves represent a philosophical shift from previous windows, where big-name signings often took precedence over tactical coherence.

The acquisition of Matheus Cunha signals United's desire for a dynamic forward capable of operating across multiple positions in their attacking setup.

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Cunha's versatility and proven ability to create chances from wide areas or centrally address specific gaps in ten Hag's system that had become increasingly apparent throughout the previous campaign.

Similarly, their aggressive pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford reflects a calculated move toward pace and directness in the final third.

Mbeumo's ability to stretch defences and create width has been identified as crucial to unlocking deeper defensive blocks that plagued United throughout last season.

These strategic acquisitions have fundamentally altered the mathematics of United's summer spending.

With significant resources already allocated to Cunha and the anticipated Mbeumo deal, the club's hierarchy determined that pursuing Kudus would represent an unnecessary luxury rather than addressing a genuine tactical need.

This evolution marks a departure from United's historically scattergun approach to the transfer market.

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Rather than simply accumulating talent, the club now appears focused on building a cohesive squad where each signing serves a specific tactical purpose within ten Hag's overall vision.

The Sancho Conundrum and Chelsea's Role

Jadon Sancho's complicated situation has cast a long shadow over United's entire summer strategy.

The winger's loan spell at Stamford Bridge included performance-related clauses and purchase options that have kept all parties in limbo regarding his permanent future.

Chelsea's apparent willingness to trigger their option to sign Sancho permanently has provided United with an elegant solution to their problem.

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Rather than engineering complex swap deals or accepting reduced fees from alternative suitors, they can now focus entirely on their preferred targets without the complication of finding Sancho a new home.

This development has had cascading effects throughout the transfer market.

With Sancho's future seemingly resolved, United no longer needs to explore creative solutions like the West Ham swap, allowing them to pursue their primary targets with greater focus and financial clarity.

The interconnected nature of modern transfers means that one player's resolution can unlock multiple other deals across the market.

Sancho's move to Chelsea has effectively closed the door on Kudus' Old Trafford ambitions while simultaneously freeing United to concentrate on their tactical priorities.

West Ham's dilemma

For West Ham United, the collapse of negotiations with Manchester United has created a significant strategic headache.

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Kudus represents not only their most talented player but also their primary means of generating the substantial revenue required for summer reinforcements.

The Hammers had identified several key areas requiring investment, with their European commitments demanding greater squad depth than previous seasons.

Kudus' sale was expected to provide the financial foundation for this expansion, making the failed United deal particularly damaging to their planning.

This standoff has left Kudus in an uncomfortable position.

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