Liverpool assistant Johnny Heitinga could play a key role in bringing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham to Anfield as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah.
With the contract of the Egyptian superstar that ends in June and no new deal in sight, the Reds can be looking for a new star this summer. West Ham Forward Kudus is a name that is linked to Liverpool.
Although he has not had a striking season at the London Stadium so far, he has again shown his spark in a surprising 1-0 win over Arsenal the previous time-out. However, it was under the 41-year-old Heitinga that Kudus enjoyed some of his most fertile spells with the Hammers and in the Eredivisie.
Given his earlier remarks about the helpful assistant, who filled in for Arne Slot during his two-game touchline suspension, Kudus might welcome the chance to jump the ship for Merseyside.
In November 2024 it was reported that Kudus was on Liverpool's radar. The Ghanaian is supposed to have a release clause of £ 85 million in his contract, which will be active this summer. However, Sky Sports suggests that this figure is more than what Liverpool is willing to pay, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The post also claims that West Ham is not willing to lower this compensation, whereby both Liverpool and Titlejacht Arsenal monitor the situation. Thinking about the attitude of the player, Kudus' earlier comments about the former Ajax and West Ham coach Heitinga Die came in for the suspended lock during the 2-0 victory of Liverpool over Newcastle on Wednesday evening-glowing.
“I felt very good among him,” Kudus shared with football scoop. “He is the best coach I had at Ajax. Apart from the training aspect, I also keep him to a large extent in terms of norms and values. I would have liked to have worked with him for longer.”
Former-Everton defender Heitinga returned to England in the summer of 2023 and moved from the Dutch giants Ajax to join David Moyes at West Ham the same path that Kudus went to the Premier League. The athletic report that 41-year-old Kudus recommended Moyes for his signing of £ 38 million later in August.
When Moyes left his position last year, Heitinga followed the example and took a role two months later among the newly appointed Slot. In the absence of Heitinga, the Ghana International has so far collected only three goals in a campaign that was marred by a broadcast against Tottenham and a bust with former coach Julen Lopetegui during the break in a 1-1 draw against Brentford last year.
Under the Dutch assistant, however, Kudus shot 18 goals in all competitions to guide seven assists, with flair -filled consistency in London. With Heitinga around in Ajax, Kudus blinded both in his own country and in the Champions League with another 18-goal season in 2022 enough to see him buy through the Hammers.
“He is a top trainer and I appreciated his efforts to make the players better at the time,” Kudus added. “When we met again (at West Ham), there were immediate things that connected us. He tried to make me and all other players better. I am very grateful for our time at West Ham.”
If Liverpool needs to be attacked this summer, the strong bond between Heitinga and Kudus, formed during their stints in West Ham and Ajax, would clear the road for a powerful reunion on Merseyside.
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