West Ham are prepared to accept cut-price offers for Mohammed Kudus this summer, according to the club’s former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that a number of clubs have been tracking the 24-year-old this season.
Despite an £80million release clause in his contract, it is believed offers below that fee will be entertained as they plan to make a significant profit.
This comes after former Man City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider that West Ham could sell Kudus in an effort to raise funds.
Plans are in place to back Graham Potter in the transfer market despite having spent over £100million last summer to bolster Julen Lopetegui’s side.
However, Football Insider revealed that ten first-team stars could leave West Ham as they aim to balance the books ahead of another big-spending summer.
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Arsenal and Liverpool plot moves to sign West Ham star Mohammed Kudus
Brown told Football Insider in January that Arsenal scouts have been watching Kudus, while Liverpool view Kudus as a Mohamed Salah replacement.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful season, insisted that neither club will be willing to match his release clause but could agree a lower fee.
“Teams aren’t going to spend £80million on him this summer,” he told Football Insider.
“West Ham have been working with him to improve his stamina, which is an issue I have raised countless times when we’ve spoken about him.
“It was always my concern that he would burn out after about 60 minutes, and it’s clearly an issue the new manager has noticed as well.
“While he has issues like that in his game, nobody is going to spend £80million on him.
“But there is interest and there are a few clubs who have been keeping an eye on him.
“They know what he can do, and what he can do is very, very impressive, but he needs to prove he can do it consistently home and away.
“From what I hear, though, West Ham could listen to offers even if they don’t meet that release clause.
“They want to raise a bit of money to spend on the squad, and he’s one of the players who could be sold to make way for that.
“Because he’s a talented player, there’s always going to be interest there and clubs willing to spend money to bring him in.
“It won’t be as much as £80million, but it might not need to be.”
Graham Potter faces Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus exits
Kudus is not the only star name to have been linked with a move away from West Ham this summer, amid speculation about the future of Jarrod Bowen.
Football Insider revealed on 5 April that Liverpool want to sign Bowen as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah and alternative to Alexander Isak.
The England international remains a crucial player at the London Stadium, but they look set to miss out on European football and he could be tempted to move.
Meanwhile, Isak remains Arne Slot’s number-one target as he looks to sign a new striker, but Newcastle are very reluctant to part ways with the 25-year-old this summer.
