Report: £85m Premier League attacker wants to leave his club and Arsenal are now interested
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Arsenal and Liverpool could both potentially use some more attacking reinforcements.
Arsenal have been accused of over-using Bukayo Saka recently, so they could definitely do with another attacker, while Liverpool face the prospect of losing Mohamed Salah at the end of this season when his contract expires.
Of course, finding a quality attacking talent capable of performing for a team like Arsenal or Liverpool these days is like striking gold.
There are very few players in world football who are at the required level to play for a team like Arsenal or Liverpool, and any player who is good enough will inevitably cost a fortune.
Mohammed Kudus has been linked to Arsenal recently, while Liverpool are also said to be keen on Kudus.
According to Sky Sports, Liverpool and Arsenal are both still keen on Kudus, but there is a problem on this front.
How Arsenal and Liverpool feel about signing Mohammed Kudus
According to this report, Arsenal and Liverpool are keen on Kudus, but they're not happy with the asking price that has been set on the Ghanaian.
Kudus has an £85m release clause in his West Ham contract, and the east London club want to receive the full sum if they are to sell the winger.
West Ham are well within their rights to ask for such a fee, but they may scare off any potential buyers here.
Kudus is apparently keen to leave the London Stadium though, so don't be surprised if that asking price drops if the attacker starts to kick up something of a fuss at West Ham.
Kudus compared to Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah
West Ham want £85m for Kudus, but it's fair to say that isn't great value for money.
Kudus has earned praise for his performances for West Ham over the past 18 months or so, but £85m is a lot of money for a player who hasn't been hitting world-class levels.
Kudus has been brilliant at times, but that consistency in terms of end product just isn't there, and the stats show it.
Stats | Mohammed Kudus since the start of last season | Bukayo Saka since the start of last season | Mohamed Salah since the start of last season |
Games | 42 | 45 | 43 |
Goals | 13 | 19 | 26 |
Assists | 6 | 16 | 16 |
If Arsenal or Liverpool want to sign Kudus as a deputy or a replacement for Saka or Salah, then they'll need his output to seriously increase.
Of course, Kudus could improve a lot if he's put into a better team, but shelling out £85m on an attacker who has never come close to having a 20-goal season does seem rather foolish.
Kudus may end up being priced out of a move away from West Ham.