'For sure': Liverpool manager's message to £85m West Ham star wanted by Arsenal

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has praised West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus ahead of the Premier League meeting between the two sides on Sunday with the Ghana international a supposed transfer target for the Reds.

Kudus, who arrived at the London Stadium from Ajax in August 2023, has turned heads with the way he has adapted to life in the top flight. It has emerged that the winger has a reported £85 million release clause in his contract that will become active at the end of the current season, which has sparked transfer rumours.

Arsenal have been credited with serious interest in the player as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his forward options. A recent injury to Bukayo Saka and transfer interest in Leandro Trossard underline the need for reinforcements.

At Liverpool, there remain questions over the future of Mohamed Salah with the Egypt international's contract due to expire next summer. Even if the 32-year-old does extend his stay on Merseyside, the need for a long-term successor remains.

Asked about his thoughts on Kudus in his pre-match press conference, Slot said: "I think he’s a good player, that’s for sure. Everybody sees this. He can play multiple positions, I think he played here for Ajax against Liverpool as a nine as well. He’s a big threat for them.

"They have many players, I think they have signed also many players during the summer so even if three midfielders are out I don’t think they have to play U21 players, they are still able to play players they brought in for many, many millions. That’s the Premier League – they all have, not only us or Chelsea, a lot of clubs have so many good players. Although when I didn’t play my starters, we used our U21 players – that is part of our identity and that’s what makes this club special I think as well."

Earlier this month, Fichajes also named Liverpool and Newcastle United as suitors for Kudus alongside Arsenal. Any January move for the player appears unlikely given how important he is for the Hammers with only bids above that £85 million release clause likely to tempt the London outfit.

Mohammed Kudus on ‘confidence’ at West Ham

Speaking after hitting the back of the net against Brighton in the recent 1-1 draw, Kudus hinted at a dip in confidence under new West Ham manager Lopetegui. He said: “I think we’re getting close to our best, step-by-step, and the team gave their best today. The boys showed good energy and resilience to come back after going down, and although we wanted the win, we’ll take the point and move forward.

“It feels good to have been able to contribute to the result. As an attacker, it’s always good to score, and it will really help my confidence. It would’ve been nice to have helped to get all three points, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“We’re together as a group, and I think we’re getting there. We have a lot of quality, and I think there is a lot that we can achieve. It’s about completing the puzzle together, and hopefully we can do better again in the next game.”

Kudus had come under criticism from Lopetegui earlier this season after he saw red for improper conduct against Tottenham Hotspur. At the time, the former Wolves manager said: “Unfortunately Kudus is going to be out for three matches because his behaviour was not good and he knows that,” he said on Friday.

“He knows he has to improve because this can't happen. I hope it's the last time this happens. I'm sure it is not going to happen [again]. I talked with him and sometimes you don't have to talk a lot about this kind of situation because he knows it was a mistake. I say, for sure, that he will learn about this incident and his behaviour will handle this better in the future."