According to reports today, Liverpool plans to trigger Mohammed Kudus’s £85 million release clause in his West Ham contract this summer.

Given uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s long-term future, a rumor from Kudus’ home country of Ghana indicates that the Reds are willing to pay a premium for the versatile attacker from the Hammers.

The 23-year-old has reportedly drawn interest from Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain, among others, according to Ghanasoccernet. However, Liverpool has struck up contact with the player first, and talks may start at the end of the current campaign.

According to the source, Kudus is highly admired by new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, who witnessed the forward excel for Eredivisie team Ajax. The Reds were reportedly interested in the forward last summer before he transferred to West Ham.

After spending over £38 million to join the Hammers from Ajax last summer, Kudus has enjoyed a successful debut season in England.

Across all competitions, he has scored 17 goals and provided seven assists, seven of which have come in 32 Premier League games.

One of his goals, a magnificent solo effort against Freiburg in the Europa League round of 16, has been referred to as a “wonder goal.”

Before making an unexpected transfer to West Ham, the Ghanaian striker developed a strong reputation in Amsterdam, scoring 27 goals in 87 games for Ajax. Being a flexible left-footer, he can play multiple attacking positions.

Although he has primarily played on the right side, he is also a skilled center forward and attacking midfield player. Kudus is under contract with West Ham till 2028, with an additional year’s option.

Reputable transfer reporter David Ornstein recently revealed that Kudus’s Hammers contract included a release clause, however no money was specified.

To free Kudus from his West Ham contract, any interested parties will need to pay £85 million, according to a report from Claret & Hugh.

The source further claims that the forward’s insistence on having the release clause included was crucial in securing a deal for him last summer, and it also reveals that West Ham would need to pay a comparable amount for Lucas Paqueta.

The article claims that the clause has unspecified criteria and that it only becomes operational for a limited period of the transfer window.

If Liverpool decides to move Mohamed Salah, Jose Enrique, a former defender for the team, thinks Kudus would be a decent alternative.

He told Grosvenor Sports last month that he believed Mohammed Kudus might be a Salah substitute. “I would have said that even last summer, and he is obviously playing really well for West Ham right now.”