Liverpool transfers: Kudus clause REVEALED by David Ornstein amid Salah doubts

Liverpool could be set for a transfer shakeup this summer with question marks surrounding the futures of a number of their top stars. 

Chief among those is Mohamed Salah, with the Egypt forward out of contract in 2025 and uncertainty regarding the club’s plans going forward. 

It’s been reported that Salah would like a new Liverpool contract but a mammoth bid from Al-Ittihad or any other interested parties would be worth considering by Richard Hughes, the incoming sporting director. 

Salah turns 32 in summer and has looked a shadow of his former self in recent weeks, leading to conversations about what the Merseyside outfit should do with their 210-goal hero. 

Should the new Anfield hierarchy decide to cash in on Salah then a replacement forward will have to be signed. One of the names in the frame for a move to Liverpool is the West Ham forward Mohammad Kudus.

A few weeks back it was revealed by Spanish outlet Fichajes that Liverpool had the Ghana international on their radar as plans for a post-Jurgen Klopp future took shape. 

And now the respected transfer journalist David Ornstein has confirmed that Kudus’s West Ham contract contains a buyout clause, meaning that any interested parties now know the price for signing the 23-year-old. 

It’s not disclosed what that release clause is, however, and it’s unlikely to be cheap. 

"If those guys [Kudus and Lucas Paqueta] have their hearts set on a move away, and the suitable offers arrive, then you suspect some movement could take place," Ornstein told The Athletic FC Podcast. 

"I'm not saying it will, but we know that Lucas Paqueta is still wanted by Manchester City. 

"In terms of Kudus, there's a release clause too. He's newer to the club, he's done fantastically well so far, I suspect he'd be looking to stay for a bit longer. But we don't know, there's always interest in him, multiple clubs showed that before he ended up joining West Ham. 

"I think we reported on the likes of Arsenal, definitely Brighton. Manchester United have been rumored admirers of him for a long time, and many others. Chelsea were another one too."

Kudus moved to the Hammers last summer from Ajax for around £38 million and has had a decent first campaign in England amid difficult circumstances at the London Stadium. He has hit 17 goals in all competitions, delivering five assists, with seven of those goals coming in 30 Premier League matches.

One of his strikes has been described as a wonder goal, a sublime individual effort against Freiburg in the Europa League round of 16. 

Ex-Red believes Kudus CAN replace Salah

The Ghanaian earned a formidable reputation in Amsterdam, scoring 27 goals in 87 matches for Ajax before his surprise move to West Ham. He is a versatile left-footer, who can play in numerous positions in attack. 

Like Salah, he has been stationed mostly on the right wing but has also excelled in attacking midfield and at centre forward. 

West Ham have contracted Kudus until 2028, with an option for a further year, and so a move to Anfield won’t come cheap.  

Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes Kudus would make a good replacement should the club decide to sell Salah. 

"Mohammed Kudus is someone that I think could be a replacement for Salah,” he told Grosvenor Sports last month. 

"Even last summer, I would have said that, and now, of course, he is playing really well for West Ham.”