Feyenoord failed to pay € 9 million for Mohammed Kudus after losing the Ghanaian star to rivals Ajax Amsterdam, it has emerged.
The 19-year-old joined the Europea heavyweight on a five-year deal from FC Nordsjaeland.
But it has emerged that the Ghana international was being tracked by Feyenoord but the club failed to meet Nordsjaeland's asking valuation.
Technical director of Rotterdammers, Frank Arnesen has confirmed his outfit could not compete with their rivals on the transfer market.
“I also know that Feyenoord cannot compete with Ajax at the moment. They bring boys of sixteen years to Amsterdam for 3.5 million, eh. Didn't you think Mohammed Kudus was not on our list? Of course he was, but we were not able to pay nine million euros to Nordsjaelland. Ajax did pay. I am not complaining, but its the reality ”, says Arnesen.
“That club is not that far for nothing. They have achieved this by investing well and a lot in their own youth. And then one day you can be in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Then one success leads to another. Players simply become more valuable because they can be at that level, in front of the whole world. If we don't play European football, we'll never get there. ”