A major Mohammed Kudus development will spark serious concern at West Ham after confirmation from Fabrizio Romano.
West Ham are under pressure to bring in a host of new players as part of a big rebuild.
But it is just as important that the Hammers keep their star men too.
If media speculation is to be believed of late, West Ham’s star boy Mohammed Kudus has been attracting interest this summer.
That’s not surprising given his superb debut season in the Premier League with West Ham.
Kudus has an £85m release clause at West Ham. But it has expired for this summer and only becomes active again next summer.
Hammers star boy Kudus linked with big money moves
So anyone wanting to sign the Ghana attacker now would likely have to pay upwards of that figure.
West Ham have signed Brazilian teen winger Luis Guilherme and have been linked with a number of attacking midfielders and players who can play off the left.
That has been seen by some as a hint the latter could depart after just one season should a suitable offer arrive.
Talk of serious interest from Saudi Arabia continued this week. But fans can be reassured West Ham have already responded to those Kudus links, saying: “Saudi can’t afford him.”
Kudus has never hidden his fierce ambition to get right to the top of the game.
And he recently said he always wants to move on from a club if he feels his career may stagnate.
West Ham have no European football next season for the first time in four years.
That has been used as a reason to speculate the likes of Kudus, Edson Alvarez and others may want out.
Liverpool were also heavily linked with Kudus this summer and have appointed Dutchman Arne Slot – who will know all about the Hammers ace from his time in Holland.
Kudus development will spark serious concern at West Ham
Now a major Kudus development will spark serious concern at West Ham after an update from Fabrizio Romano.
Because the 23-year-old has ditched his agent Jennifer Mendelewitsch and will now be represented by his relatives and a legal team instead.
Mendelewitsch is the French agent of Kudus who helped broker his move to West Ham.
She runs the Supernova agency and Mendelewitsch famously savaged Romano over his reporting of Kudus’ move to West Ham last summer.
“Mohammed Kudus will be now represented by relatives and legal team after decision to part ways with his former agents,” Romano posted alongside a red light and Ghana flag.
Usually when a player switches agents, it’s because they want a move.
While there is no suggestion that is the case with Kudus and West Ham, it’s understandable supporters and the club will be worried.
Kudus switch a pre-cursor for next summer?
Kudus looked a class apart when he played in West Ham’s 1-0 pre-season win over Dagenham and Redbridge yesterday.
The Ghanaian showed his trademark strength and quality in possession when he came on.
He embarked on a brilliant run in the 80th minute, beating three Dagenham players before whipping a dangerous ball into the box.
It seems highly unlikely West Ham would entertain selling Kudus this summer – unless a mammoth offer that’s too good to turn down arrives.
But the fact he has switched agents could be seen as a signal of intent ahead of next summer when his clause kicks back in.
