It seems to be one of football’s worst kept secrets that West Ham will be selling Mohammed Kudus this summer with Liverpool his preferred destination.
How do you solve a problem like Mohammed Kudus?
It is an £85m question West Ham have been struggling to find an answer for and it may soon be Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s puzzle to solve.
A host of top clubs from Liverpool to Man City and Arsenal were all being linked with Kudus off the back of a stunning first season at West Ham.
The Hammers picked the Ghana star up for just £38.5m from Ajax and his £85m release clause looked far too cheap as he lit up the Premier League and Europa League last season, contributing 20 goals and assists.
But it was his Premier League record dribbling stats and the fact he put together his own goal of the season compilation with some unbelievable strikes that had Kudus being linked with a West Ham exit.
West Ham’s Kudus problem may soon become Liverpool’s
Kudus’ form has dropped off a cliff this season, though, with just four goals and two assists to his name.
There is a debate in Hammers circles about whether the team’s struggles are a result of Kudus’ drop off or the big factor behind it.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher thinks Kudus is partly to blame for West Ham’s struggles.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
But the pundit believes the attacker is too good for the Hammers and still deserves a move.
Carragher will be well aware of Liverpool’s interest in Kudus, which remains strong according to recent reports.
Especially after Slot made it clear the Reds were going to be spending big improving the squad this summer.
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
West Ham need to sell players to fund signings due to PSR – and Kudus, despite his struggles, is the team’s most saleable asset.
Liverpool’s manager knows the Hammers’ faded star boy well from their time competing against one another in Holland.
Slot actually raved about Kudus following West Ham’s recent defeat at Anfield.
It was even revealed that Liverpool’s players, including captain Virgil van Dijk, have been urging the club to sign the Ghanaian since last season.
Liverpool is Kudus’ preferred destination when he leaves West Ham, it was claimed earlier this month.
Reds fans – and Slot – may be interested to know what they are getting, though.
Because West Ham boss Graham Potter warned Liverpool target Kudus about his future but it fell on deaf ears.
Potter warned Liverpool target Kudus about his future
On his day Kudus is an elite level talent who can be unplayable.
He is arguably the most naturally gifted player at West Ham.
But he’s also become the most divisive with supporters feeling Kudus only turns up for games against the so-called big sides – like Liverpool – in order to put himself in the shop window.
That theory has been underlined by the fact Kudus’ only notable performances of late have come away at Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United.
Potter insisted before the defeat to Forest on Sunday that Kudus does works hard.
But the Hammers boss added that he must take responsibility to improve and be more consistent if he is to ‘get more’ and be a truly top player.
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
‘Kudus must take responsibility to get more’ says Potter
“He’s been working hard since we’ve been here, I’ve said that many times in press conferences (about Kudus),” Potter said ahead of Forest.
“Sometimes when the team isn’t functioning as well as you’d like, individuals within the team can suffer with that…
“He gives his best and the maximum he can and I think it’s probably just the little things that haven’t gone his way have gone his way (against Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool) recently…
“We can see the talent, we can see the potential but it’s our responsibility, and his, to try and get more.”
Those words clearly fell on deaf ears, though, as Kudus went out at the London Stadium with a whimper.
Kudus had the perfect opportunity to prove to Potter – and Liverpool – that he doesn’t just turn up for the glamour games when the camera lights are flashing.
Kudus display proved peacocking theory right
Kudus dropped a 3/10 performance in West Ham’s defeat to Forest – in what is almost certainly his last game at home as a Hammers player.
Carragher watched the game and described Kudus as ‘anonymous’.
West Ham fans were angry at a perceived lack of effort from the star as well.
There was a damning indictment from Potter when he was subbed off despite West Ham chasing the game.
Many fans share Carragher’s opinion that this may just be an off-season for the powerful, pacy 24-year-old and that he will thrive in a better team surrounded by better players.
Liverpool are certainly that.
Whether Slot is willing to pay big to take a gamble on Kudus pushing to ‘get more’ out of himself remains to be seen.
And if the move passes Kudus by then he may only have himself to blame.