What West Ham ‘suspect’ about Mohammed Kudus exit as £125m sale comes into doubt

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West Ham United will make a considerable profit via the sale of Mohammed Kudus, regardless of where the former Ajax forward ends up.

Exactly how much profit, however, may depend largely on the Ghana international’s eventual destination.

West Ham United brought Mohammed Kudus to the London Stadium to the tune of £38 million during the summer of 2023. Despite two somewhat up-and-down seasons – well, in simpler terms an excellent first year and an underwhelming second – Kudus looks certain to become the second-most expensive export in Hammers history.

And for a fee far closer to the one Arsenal paid for Declan Rice, by the way, than the sum West Ham earned when Dimitri Payet burned his bridges and scarpered off to Marseille with his tail tucked between his legs.

Now, release clauses are a common feature in European football.

Chances are that West Ham, as part of their negotiating tactic back in 2023, promised Kudus that they would include a clause in his deal. Thus, allowing the ambitious, two-time Eredivisie champion the chance to pursue a move to an established powerhouse should the opportunity emerge later down the line.

West Ham United set to make a big profit on Mohammed Kudus

Now, whether West Ham simply double their money or potentially triple it depends on a number of factors.

Mainly, which clubs are willing to put their wallets where their mouths are.

Mohammed Kudus has not one, not two but three release clauses in his contract. West Ham can earn £80 million if he moves abroad to a team in mainland Europe, albeit such a sum rules out all but the most deep-pocketed. West Ham could bring in £85 million if a rival Premier League team makes a move.

According to reports, Liverpool are keen on Kudus.

Former Feyenoord manager Arne Slot praised a player he knows well from Ajax during West Ham’s recent 2-1 defeat at Anfield.

“That’s what makes the Premier League so strong this season. I think they’re 16th or 17th in the league but I can name you one or two players that could easily have played with us today as well in terms of quality,” Slot said shortly after Virgil van Dijk’s late header put Liverpool three points closer to glory.

“I think [Lucas] Paqueta and Kudus were outstanding today, especially second half.”

West Ham willing to budge on £125m Saudi Arabia release clause

The Daily Mail add that Saudi Arabian clubs may be required to stump up an eye-watering £125 million amid claims that Al-Nassr are keen to link Kudus up with Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte, Sadio Mane, Cristiano Ronaldo and former West Ham target Jhon Duran.

The Mail explain that West Ham ‘suspect’ offers will arrive this summer from Saudi Arabia and beyond. There is also a feeling that The Hammers may be willing to negotiate with Kudus’ Middle Eastern suitors, potentially accepting a fee lower than the £125 million mark.

So, West Ham could earn anywhere from £80 million to £45 million more, and anywhere in between.