Barcelona director confirms club have been "tracking Mohammed Kudus"

Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff has said that the Catalan outfit have been "tracking Mohammed Kudus for more than one year".

The 22-year-old has been in impressive form for Ajax during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring five goals in 14 Eredivisie appearances, while he netted four goals and provided two assists in six outings in the group stage of the Champions League.

Kudus is currently representing Ghana at the 2022 World Cup, meanwhile, and he scored twice in his national side's 3-2 victory over South Korea on Monday.

The attacker still has three years left to run on his contract at Ajax, but there is currently a host of speculation surrounding his future at club level.

Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are among the clubs to be credited with an interest in Kudus, who started his professional career with Danish club Nordsjaelland in 2018.

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Barcelona have also been mentioned as possible suitors, and Cruyff has claimed that the Catalan outfit have been following the attacker "for more than one year".

"We've been tracking Mohammed Kudus for more than one year. We can't say now that Barca want Kudus... but he's attracting interest," Cruyff told RAC1.

"He's scoring goals and in Holland, they discuss a lot about his position, so yes – I know him well."

Cruyff also clarified the situation surrounding Ronald Araujo, who was allowed to join up with the Uruguay squad for the World Cup despite undergoing thigh surgery at the end of September.

"He underwent surgery by a reputable foreign doctor, who set some deadlines and a plan of action. Barcelona want to respect these deadlines," he added.

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"The most important thing is that there is communication. We don't always agree, but we keep in contact with them. Above all we try to make sure there are no risks for the player.

"There is no agreement with them. His comeback depends solely on his development."

Araujo has been left out of the Uruguay squad for their opening two games at the tournament against South Korea and Portugal, and he is also expected to miss out against Ghana on Friday.

However, the South American nation are believed to be planning to use him in the knockout round of the competition, should they manage to progress through the group.

Diego Alonso's side are currently bottom of Group H on one point, but they would advance with a victory over Ghana, providing that South Korea do not beat Portugal.