West Ham forward open to cut-price Liverpool move this summer | OneFootball

Kudus Offers Liverpool a Tempting Option as Diaz Future Hangs in the Balance

Diaz Uncertainty Opens Door for New Arrival

Liverpool’s summer transfer window has been full throttle, and there is a bubbling undercurrent of change at Anfield. The kind that suggests a shift in direction, or at the very least, a reshaping of priorities. Arne Slot may have just delivered the Premier League title in his debut campaign, but the work of maintaining that level has only just begun.

Photo: @LFC on X

One of the more pressing issues is the future of Luis Diaz. The Colombian forward has just two years left on his current deal and is reportedly seeking improved terms. The problem for Liverpool is that Diaz will turn 29 during the 2025/26 season. As history has shown, Liverpool rarely dish out long-term contracts to players nearing 30, especially those whose form fluctuates.

Photo: IMAGO

The club’s stance is clear. If the right offer comes in for Diaz, they will consider it. That, in turn, opens up a vacancy out wide and a new priority for the recruitment department, led by sporting director Richard Hughes.

Yes, Liverpool are still chasing a centre-back, and yes, there may be a No.9 search on the horizon if Darwin Nunez is moved on. But in the background, there is growing intrigue about another attacking option, one who ticks boxes and splits opinion: Mohammed Kudus.

Kudus Emerges as a Willing Option

It might not be a classic Liverpool move. Kudus has only just completed his second Premier League season with West Ham and recorded a modest eight goal contributions. Yet there is nuance in the numbers. West Ham struggled for fluency and identity for large spells of the season, and their output in front of goal reflected that. Only five teams scored fewer, including all three relegated clubs, Manchester United and Everton.

Photo IMAGO

When the Hammers were more cohesive the season before, Kudus posted 17 goal contributions across all competitions. That version of the Ghanaian forward, not the disjointed one at times under David Moyes, is the player Liverpool would be betting on.

More significantly, Kudus appears to want the move. According to Matt Thielen, editor-in-chief of LFC Transfer Room, via X:

“Mohammed Kudus’ agent has informed Liverpool that the player would be open to accepting a reduced salary should the club express interest in securing his services amid interest from Tottenham & Chelsea.”

This is a player who sees the chance to step into a title-winning team, and is willing to take a financial hit to do so. In an era when players chase the paycheque, that should not go unnoticed.

Metrics That Matter

There is rawness to Kudus’ game, no doubt. His final ball lacks polish and he has yet to dominate in the final third consistently. But look closer and there are standout numbers that speak of untapped potential.

Kudus attempted more dribbles per 90 minutes (7.1) than any player in the Premier League who logged over 2000 minutes. Among players with at least six dribbles per 90, only Noni Madueke had a better success rate than Kudus, with the Ghanaian completing 60 percent of his take-ons.

Photo: IMAGO

He is a natural ball-carrier. Quick, direct and rarely shy of responsibility. In the right system, with better structure and support around him, those attributes can flourish.

At 24, turning 25 soon, he fits the age profile Liverpool often target. And unlike many other wingers linked with the Reds, Kudus can operate across the entire frontline. He has played on both flanks and in central areas for club and country. That flexibility is gold in a squad with Champions League and domestic ambitions.

Right Player, Right Price?

There are risks. Kudus has not proven himself over multiple seasons in England and would not arrive with guaranteed output. But that is the nature of the market Liverpool operate in. They do not pay for finished products, they invest in the idea of what a player can become.

If West Ham are open to selling and the price is reasonable, this could be a clever bit of business. With Diaz potentially on his way and no standout left-wing alternative beyond Gakpo, the timing aligns.

A player of Kudus’ quality, at a reduced salary, and with something to prove? That is a gamble Liverpool have taken before, with more hits than misses.