West Ham issue a major Mohammed Kudus update and Liverpool aren’t alone.
West Ham United have issued a major update on the future of Mohammed Kudus and Liverpool aren’t alone in a situation that bodes very well for Graham Potter.
Hammers News exclusive
It is no exaggeration to say all of West Ham’s hopes in the summer transfer window rest on selling Liverpool target Mohammed Kudus for big money.
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The Hammers paid £38.5m to sign Kudus from Ajax two years ago ahead of the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Brighton.
Since then Kudus has shown he is the best dribbler in Europe – by some distance statistically – and can be one of the top players in the Premier League on his day.
His form, like most players at West Ham, has dropped this season.
West Ham rebuild hinges on Kudus sale
It has improved of late, though, and Kudus ended the season with a brilliant goal in a 3-1 win at Ipswich.
His dip has not put Liverpool off with Arne Slot going on record to state he is a huge fan of the Ghanaian attacker.
Slot waxed lyrical about Kudus after West Ham’s recent defeat at Anfield.
After that game it was also revealed several Liverpool players, including captain Virgil van Dijk, have been urging their manager to sign Kudus since last season.
A summer move to the newly-crowned Premier League champions has looked the most likely scenario since Liverpool was revealed as Kudus’ preferred destination when he leaves West Ham.
Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
As has been widely publicised for well over a year now, Kudus has an £85m release clause in his Hammers contract.
But that clause was inserted at Kudus’ request as a mechanism to stop West Ham blocking a move to an elite club should one come knocking and be willing to pay big.
So the Hammers can accept whatever fee they like and may have to settle for less after Kudus’ drop off in his second season compared to his scintillating first.
West Ham issue major Kudus update and Liverpool aren’t alone
West Ham and Liverpool are at the opposite ends of the PSR spectrum right now.
While the Hammers overspent last summer, the Reds kept their powder dry with a meagre £12m outlay on Federico Chiesa.
As a result Liverpool have big money to spend and Slot has made it clear he intends to use it.
Given the huge rebuild that is on the cards for Graham Potter, it is imperative the Hammers make as much money as they can from their most saleable asset.
Now West Ham have issued a major Kudus update and Liverpool aren’t alone in what is a huge boost for Potter.
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Great news for Potter as three Premier League clubs want Kudus
The Hammers board revealed this week moves are afoot to offload players so Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay ‘can start trading’.
Now West Ham have confirmed interest is hotting up among Premier League rivals and that Potter will get all the proceeds from the sale of Kudus and others to spend on transfers and associated costs.
“There is interest in Mohammed from three Premier League clubs, but no official offers yet,” a spokesman for West Ham’s board exclusively told Hammers News.
“I can’t obviously name the clubs.
“But he has really returned to form over the last five-six Premier League games.
“The problem we have with him is that he really needs to play on the right and we have Jarrod in that position.”
When it was put to the Hammers’ hierarchy whether Potter would get all proceeds of the sale of Kudus and other players to spend on signings, it was good news. But the club was keen to point out other costs involved in doing deals.
Hammers boss will get sale proceeds to spend on signings
The spokesman added: “Yes (Potter will get the money raised from sales for signings) and the related agent fees, solidarity payments, Premier League levy etc!”
While Liverpool have emerged as the favourites to sign Kudus, this sets the cat among the pigeons.
The club’s admission that Kudus needs to play off the right also raises eyebrows given Liverpool have Mohamed Salah on that side.
Although Slot has proved he can get the best out of players in any position.
Several other clubs have been linked with Kudus in the recent past including Arsenal, Newcastle and Man City.
Tottenham Hotspur were also reported to be interested.
But it is highly unlikely West Ham would do business with bitter rivals Spurs as an unofficial transfer embargo has been in place between the two sides since 2015.
West Ham are said to already be eyeing their Kudus replacement in the shape of one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League.
