Liverpool transfers: Reds want West Ham forward Kudus as Salah replacement

Liverpool have identified Mohammed Kudus as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah this summer, according to a report in Spain. 

Salah, 31, is out of contract in 2025 and a decision will need to be made on the future of the 200+ goalscorer by incoming sporting director Richard Hughes. 

The Reds fended off interest from Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League during last summer’s transfer window, with the club prepared to pay over £100 million to make Salah the flagship player in the league. 

Salah opted to stay put but has missed a significant amount of action in 2024 having suffered a hamstring tear during the Africa Cup of Nations in January. 

With only one year left on his deal, Liverpool’s new regime may now seek to cash in.

Al-Ittihad are expected to be back again with a bid for the top goalscorer, who has won the Premier League, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the FA Cup and other honours during his time at Anfield. 

Mohammed Kudus on Liverpool radar

And plans are reportedly afoot to replace the Egypt captain, with West Ham attacker Kudus now on the radar, according to Fichajes. 

Kudus, 23, moved to the Hammers last summer from Ajax for around £38m 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 28 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.

What kind of player is Kudus?

The Ghana international 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 should the new Reds recruitment team decide to make a bid. 

Ex-Red backs Kudus to replace Salah

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 earlier this week. 

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