Everton have been linked with a move for Mohammed Kudus, and a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of a player which could be a huge blow to their late transfer plans.

What's the latest?

According to GOAL journalist Marc Mechenoua, the Toffees have been "turned down" in their efforts to sign the Ajax attacking midfielder despite making a £10.3m offer.

Mechenoua tweeted: "Everton have been trying to sign Kudus Mohammed for several days and until this morning. The Toffees were turned down by Ajax Amsterdam despite an offer of €12 million plus bonuses. Alfred Schreuder, the coach, asked the player to stay."

It's a blow for Lampard

There is no doubt that Everton are in desperate need for a few more improvements in their team after a rocky start to their Premier League season, and adding depth to the attacking midfield role is about to become an even more pressing issue for the Toffees.

After already showing Dele Alli the door at Goodison Park last month, with the former Tottenham star moving to Besiktas, the Merseyside club are now about to lose another advanced midfielder, with Andre Gomes on his way to complete a deadline day move to Lille.

As a result, the failed attempt to sign Kudus will be a big blow for Frank Lampard, who was clearly keen to strengthen that position after getting rid of the deadwood in the number 10 role.

Everton are yet to win a league game this term after drawing three and losing two of their first five, and adding depth to the team's attacking threat would be highly advantageous as they are currently struggling to find the goals needed to turn their draws into victories.

Kudus - who was hailed a "special talent" by journalist Owuraku Ampofo - has already won two league titles with Ajax, also playing a huge part in his country's African Cup of Nations qualification last year.

Despite missing out on the finals in January due to a fractured rib, the midfielder made a huge impact in Ghana's qualification for the tournament, scoring four goals and delivering three assists in just six games.

The midfielder has been impressing in the Netherlands at club level too, scoring six goals and delivering four assists in all competitions for Ajax after being given his Eredivisie debut by former manager Erik Ten Hag two years ago.

The current Manchester United boss sang Kudus' praises after the young talent put in a Man of the Match performance in the Eredivisie in 2020, saying: "He is very active and dynamic and can play football with very high intensity. When Kudus gets the ball, he often does something good with it."

Lampard will surely be gutted that the powerbrokers at Goodison Park were unable to seal a deal for Kudus, and with only a few hours left until the 11pm deadline, it looks highly unlikely that the club will be able to make another approach for now.