Mohammed Kudus has been linked with a move to Arsenal or Liverpool.Mohammed Kudus has been linked with a move to Arsenal or Liverpool.
Mohammed Kudus has been linked with a move to Arsenal or Liverpool. | Getty Images
Mohammed Kudus has spoken out about his recent West Ham form ahead of facing Newcastle United.
Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target Mohammed Kudus has admitted that his performances for West Ham this season have been below standards in a new interview with the club website.
The Hammers host Newcastle United at the London Stadium tonight and are looking to do the double over the Magpies, having beaten Eddie Howe’s men 2-0 at St James’ Park in November. Kudus scored his first ever Premier League goal against Newcastle United last season but has struggled to find his prolific best this term.
The 24-year-old has just three league goals to his name so far this season and hasn’t hit the back of the net since December. Kudus picked up eight goals and six assists last season - he had put on just one goal this term.
Kudus pledges to show better West Ham form
Kudus said: “I've been below the standards I've set for myself this season. To be honest, it's been a very difficult season, as we as a team had our expectations set very high.
“I've been below the standards I've set for myself. With the standards I've set and what I've shown, I think everyone also expects a lot from me, but I expect a lot from myself as well.
“I'll keep doing my thing and keep trying until the last game of the season. I know a lot of things haven't gone well this season. It's football, there are a lot of ups and downs, but you need to be yourself at all times.
“I've set very high expectations of myself, even more than what the fans and others think, and I know the input and impact I can have in a game. I wouldn't say it's been my best season, but as a team, we’re at a stage right now where we are building and growing.
“The most important thing for me is to keep going and keep believing in myself and doing my thing. There's a lot more to come from me.”
After a head-turning first season in the Premier League, Kudus has emerged as a supposed target for Arsenal and Liverpool. The Gunners could cash in on Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli this summer to breathe new life into their flanks while the Reds are searching for a long-term replacement for Salah.
Those transfer rumours, which gathered pace earlier this season, pointed more towards a swoop in the summer of 2025 rather than January. It is widely reported that the Ghana international has an £85 million release clause that will become active in his contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Kudus must ‘step up’ to make Arsenal transfer reality
Former West Ham scout Mick Brown recently spoke to Football Insider about the player’s future and shared Kudus’ own beliefs that he must level up his form. Brown said: “He’s got to step up for West Ham before he can go elsewhere.
“He isn’t playing at the level he is capable of playing at this season, for whatever reason. For me, he’s always had an issue where he impacts a game for an hour, but then he hits a wall. He isn’t even performing for that hour at the moment. You’re waiting for him to step up and show what he can do.
“Scouts watching him from the likes of Arsenal will be looking at that and looking at his consistency, and based on this season I don’t think they’ll be convinced. They won’t be willing to spend the major money it would take to sign him, on a player who hasn’t been performing.
“If he wants to move on like I expect he will if they don’t get European football, he needs to show he’s capable of making that step up. The only way he can do that is by performing at his best for West Ham.”
In other news, West Ham and Newcastle United were sent a transfer update by Fabrizio Romano ahead of kick-off tonight.