Liverpool owners FSG know the real story behind Mohammed Kudus’ West Ham release clause after a dramatic U-turn.
West Ham need to sell players for PSR and Liverpool boss Arne Slot is pledging to make his team even stronger this summer.
Having kept their powder when Slot first arrived, Liverpool have big money to spend.
After over-extending themselves – to the point of doing a deal with Barclays to borrow all £69m owed to them in transfer fees by other clubs – West Ham must sell to buy for Graham Potter’s rebuild.
That’s where Mohammed Kudus and Liverpool come in.
When the Hammers signed Kudus from Ajax they faced competition from a host of clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Brighton.
Liverpool U-turn over Kudus after Anfield display
One of the key factors in getting the £38.5m move over the line was West Ham agreeing to include a release clause in Kudus’ contract.
There has been much confusion and inaccurate reporting – from some top journalists to boot – around the clause and how it works.
But Liverpool owners FSG know truth about West Ham’s Kudus release clause after a big U-turn over the Ghanaian.
Kudus is West Ham’s most valuable, saleable asset besides Jarrod Bowen – who the Hammers still insist is not for sale.
However, Kudus has been in such poor form this season that the list of suitors willing to meet his release clause has dwindled.
Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Newcastle and Saudi clubs were among those linked with the Hammers attacker until this season.
Arsenal are now looking elsewhere and any chance of Liverpool paying big to sign Kudus looked dead in the water just last week when Mohamed Salah signed a new deal.
Slot has performed a stunning U-turn, though, with reports claiming Liverpool now want Kudus after he shone bright against them in West Ham’s 2-1 defeat at Anfield.
After the game the Reds boss as well as captain Virgil van Dijk raved about Kudus.
While in an ideal world West Ham should be building their team around the likes of Kudus, their financial situation dictates otherwise.
So Liverpool’s change of heart is good news for West Ham’s owners in raising vital funds.
However, claims that have been made about the clause are not entirely accurate.
Liverpool owners FSG know truth about West Ham’s Kudus clause
Hammers News understands, from agent and West Ham sources, that FSG and those in the game are very much fully clued up on the reality of the situation, which is as follows.
When West Ham signed Kudus, the player was backing himself to perform in the Premier League and attract elite clubs.
So he and his agent insisted on a release clause in the contract to stop West Ham from preventing that opportunity should it arise by asking for too much money.
The figure of £85m for Premier League clubs, £80m for European clubs and over £100m for Saudi clubs was inserted.
And the clause was only active for a set period in July last summer and the same this forthcoming window.
After a superb debut season with West Ham, those figures looked about right.
Kudus contributed 20 goals and assists, set new dribbling records and came second to Newcastle defensive midfielder Bruno Gumairaes across the entire season when it came to the number of times he won the ball back for his team.
Nobody activated the clause, though, and West Ham went big in the next window, spending every penny owed to them for transfers.
Liverpool don’t have to trigger £85m release clause
Now, off the back of a season where Kudus has just three goals and two assists, Liverpool know there will not be a queue of clubs – or any for that matter – willing to meet Kudus’ release clause.
And that means Liverpool don’t have to.
The simple reality is the release clause is something of a red herring now – and FSG know it.
The clause is in the contract to protect the player. So it should be seen as an upper limit set by the player’s camp not a minimum amount set by the Irons.
With a lack of interest at that kind of figure, the fact is West Ham can sell Kudus for whatever amount they wish.
That has always been the case but previously it was felt there would be a number of clubs vying for Kudus at that kind of price – making the clause relevant.
West Ham are desperate for cash so Liverpool will realistically be able to get Kudus for far less than the £85m clause.
West Ham can sell Kudus for any price – and it won’t be £85m
Privately, the Hammers are hoping for at least £60m for a player who has proved just how outrageously good he can be.
There is a feeling among some West Ham fans that Kudus will be more effective in a better side, surrounded by better players.
Slot knows all about his talents and is a big fan from their time in Holland.
So too does Liverpool coach John Heitinga.
The Dutchman, who left West Ham for Liverpool last summer, managed Kudus at Ajax before Heitinga being appointed to the Hammers coaching staff by David Moyes.
It is claimed Heitinga recommended Kudus to Moyes and Tim Steidten, resulting in the pair being reunited in east London.
Slot is clearly still a fan, as the Reds boss admitted himself after Sunday’s clash between the two sides, naming Kudus as one of two players who ‘could easily play for Liverpool’.
Unless a Saudi club really pushed the boat out now Salah is not available, West Ham will not be getting close to the release clause value.
Liverpool know that and with Anfield now looking his most likely next destination, there could be a relative bargain to be had.
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