The pressing need for a Winter rebuild may yet influence some pretty big decision making at West Ham – depending who is at the helm in the ‘head coach’ role come January. The current game-by-game managerial paralysis could yet be ended by a couple of wins, or losses, with the very different results that would bring.
Either eventuality may spell the end of a Hammers’ career for Mohammed Kudus. If Lopetegui goes, his successor may be forced to sacrifice Kudus to provide a rebuild budget. Alternatively, if Lopetegui wins enough points to survive, we all have a sneaking suspicion that the ongoing rumoured dressing room unease between Spaniard and Ghanaian will see ‘Star Boy’ out of the door anyway as soon as Lopetegui has the renewed authority and confidence of the board.
Reportedly now, Newcastle have joined the fray, added to both Liverpool and Arsenal’s rumoured interest to take Kudus away from London Stadium. From the The Mirror last night came ” Newcastle want to compete with Arsenal and Liverpool for £90million-rated West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus.
But the Magpies need to make January sales to help finance a deal that would eclipse their club-record £63m signing of striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad two years ago. West Ham have slapped a £90m asking price on Kudus, who has an £85m summer release clause.”
Oooh.. £55 million plus Harvey Barnes in exchange for Kudus’ signature, anybody? Just a thought.
Kudus is a West Ham jewel – but at £90 million..
The eagle-eyed amongst you will see the subtle edging up of the price to £90 million from the release clause of £85 million. If anybody actually does bid £90 million in January, however much we’d miss him, I suspect Kudus in his current form and state of mind would be on his way, gift wrapped and delivered by hand whether that be to the Emirates, Anfield or St James’ Park.
Trusting the club in its’ present dysfunctional state to spend any of that £90 million wisely in players under thirty who would actually enhance the squad – is another matter.
Martin, as you yourself have repeatedly pointed out, Kudus is not the only player to have fallen out with Lopetegui, he was just the first. If your reporting is right, there could be as many as 5 players (maybe more) not happy with the coach. Why you insist on entertaining the possibility that Lopetegui may suddenly change from useless to successful, and the idea that he can just say “Whoops, my bad” and carry on is laughable. The man is a fraud, but West Ham seem to think that they can retrieve the situation and turn a pigs ear into a silk purse. Not going to happen.
Perhaps if we did lose the players with an issue with the manager the team may just improve and the manager looked at in a different light would it be a huge problem if we lost out of form Paqueta, Alvarez, the potentially great but seemingly immature Todibo the slow Rodriguez the homesick Fullkrug and finally the I think I’m too good for this club Kudus it would mean potentially a lot of money 180-200 million or so a new Brazilian front man possibly recall Ward–Prowse promote Kealan Casey, Lewis Orford and bring in Guillerme plus any carefully selected newcomers job done top six finish possibly best manager we’ve ever had after a sticky start it could all look so different just saying
Never mind kudus West Ham have a £25 mill player on the bench when have the hammers been able to afford such luxury or is he not what they thought
We all have to accept, Mo Kudos will be moving on within the next year.
IF we accept the ownership would like a more sustainable transfer policy, similar to the ‘Red Bull’ model, then West Ham are likely to have a number of high quality players for a couple/three seasons, before they are moved on to higher paying clubs.
Isn’t that what Tim was brought in for?
It’s likely that FFP means that Newcastle are not in that league. Notionally they have more money than all others but in practice FFP restricts them. Arsenal and Liverpool however…
Harvey Barnes is a good shout.
Another one would be if Liverpool wanted Kudus some sort of deal that saw Darwin Nunez (third choice for them under Slot when Jota and Gakpo are available) and Kelleher come in this direction. Would address a couple of problem areas in our squad that need addressing.
Martin says “£55 million plus Harvey Barnes in exchange for Kudus’ signature, anybody? Just a thought”
Yeah i’ll take that anyday.
We need to concentrate on getting a decent manager, first.
Sullivan needs to get his priorities right and bite the bullet on compensation and go get Marco Silva or any other decent manager, who are generally all employed.
It starts there, if we haven’t got anyone managing the club who doesn’t know what they’re doing ( like Lopsy) then it’s a non starter whoever we sign / let go.
Club total bloody shambles at the mo’.
Getting a long term ‘Head Coach’ is essential.
But Marco Silva???
Please tell me you’re pulling my p****r.
With all the teams that want him round the world, price goes up to 100 million plus I reckon.