A major Liverpool transfer update has emerged from Anfield and it feels very ominous for a West Ham mega move.
West Ham and Liverpool both have new managers in place in the shape of Julen Lopetegui and Arne Slot.
Indeed Slot was one of the names on West Ham’s managerial wishlist until he took up the daunting challenge to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
That was after both the Hammers and Liverpool courted Sporting boss Ruben Amorim too.
Lopetegui’s task over succeeding Moyes at West Ham is less daunting.
And so far it has been made easier by the full backing of the West Ham hierarchy in the transfer market.
The Irons and Liverpool have had wildly contrasting summer transfer windows thus far.
West Ham have signed eight players and counting while Slot is yet to bring in a single player for his Liverpool revolution.
Now a major Liverpool transfer update feels very ominous for a West Ham mega move.
Given West Ham’s big spending window, there are fears among some supporters the club are planning to offset it with the sale of a star player.
Major Liverpool transfer update feels ominous for West Ham
Speculation resurfaced this week that Edson Alvarez could leave the Hammers.
Earlier this summer, though, Liverpool – who had been linked with Klopp favourite Jarrod Bowen for several windows – were said by Give Me Sport to be lining up a £100m move for Mohammed Kudus.
That came amid confirmation that Kudus has an £85m West Ham release clause which will be active again from summer 2025.
Liverpool’s hopes of ever signing Bowen look dead in the water since he signed a seven-year deal, pledged to retire at West Ham, bought a £3m Essex mansion and was made the club’s new captain.
Kudus, though, is a different matter entirely.
The reports from earlier this summer said interest from the Reds in West Ham’s star boy was concrete. And it is the West Ham man they want as their heir to Mohamed Salah.
Kudus, who has started the season like he ended the last for the Hammers, is well known to Slot having been at Ajax prior to his £38m move to east London.
The football world has marvelled at that piece of business from West Ham ever since.
Kudus has never hidden his ambition to play at the highest level.
Liverpool want Kudus as Salah heir next summer
It was confirmed earlier this summer that Kudus won’t be leaving this window – unless an offer too good to refuse arrives.
But the fact the Ghanaian’s clause will become active again next summer at £85m is ominous after news out of Liverpool overnight.
Journalist Ian Doyle is the chief Liverpool writer on the Liverpool Echo.
And he has suggested that Salah will be leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season.
That has led to a flood of stories that this is now Salah’s farewell season with Liverpool.
Doyle has been keen to point out there is nothing earth-shattering about news given Salah’s contract is up.
£85m clause means West Ham must enjoy star boy this season
But it is very significant news for West Ham indeed.
Had Salah been sold this summer then Liverpool would likely have had to go out and replace him.
Now it seems almost inevitable the Reds will come knocking on West Ham’s door next summer after reports claimed they see Kudus as an air to the Egyptian.
And if Liverpool meet the £85m release clause there will be little the Hammers can do about it.
Kudus recently changed his agent and the move is seen as a pre-cursor for next summer.
While there may not be much West Ham can do about the shadow of Liverpool looming large over Kudus as they look to swap one Mo for another, it does at least crystalise things for fans.
Hammers supporters now know they must enjoy every moment of watching Kudus in the claret and blue.
And West Ham do at least have the security of knowing they will be well recompensed in the search for a replacement should Liverpool – who will have big money to spend after a frugal summer – come calling for their Salah heir next year.
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