West Ham United should relish cashing in on Mohammed Kudus next year if his release clause is met, according to talkSPORT broadcaster Tom Rennie.
That the club should use next season to see if Kudus can be worth his club valuation of £85million – a release clause in his contract which comes into effect in summer 2025.
Kudus’ dormant release clause matches that of Lucas Paqueta, whose mooted move to Manchester City is stalling due to an ongoing betting investigation.
Rennie declared on the midfielder’s £85m buyout: “All seems absolutely fine to me. I would sell [Kudus] for that.
I would like to have another season to see if he can be worth that valuation. Currently, he’s nowhere near. Far too inconsistent.
West Ham’s transfer modelThe release clause in Kudus’ contract – and the fact it doesn’t come into effect for another year – is a functional piece of business by West Ham.
To have Paqueta on a clause of £85m, which would soon then be the same for Kudus, represents a protection of assets for whom their next contracts could well be their most important – particularly Paqueta at 26 years of age.
A huge pull factor for incoming boss Julen Lopetegui is the prospective transfer fees he will have to work with, as opposed to financial restrictions at Wolves which appeared to leave him with no choice but to resign on the eve of this season.
The £105m sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal last year was a major marker in what West Ham are looking to achieve business-wise, with a self-sustainable model which can elevate them into consistent European recognition.
As for Kudus, with some in the mindset that Lopetegui’s tactical preferences could get the best out of the midfielder, it will be interesting to see whether he can match up to the hefty price tag which will be slapped on him come next summer.
