Opinion: West Ham’s star player is set to stay this summer, but that’s not necessarily good news.

West Ham United secured Mohammed Kudus for just £38 million, a deal initially seen as a major coup.

The Ghanaian midfielder was heavily linked with a potential move to Arsenal during the January transfer window but ultimately remained at the London Stadium.

However, this was largely due to the belief that Kudus is not yet ready for a truly elite club.

Graham Potter has already spoken about the need for more balance in Kudus’s game. While he possesses immense talent, he still has another level to reach before being considered one of the best attackers in football.

His performances remain inconsistent, and he has yet to develop into the finished article.

Now, West Ham faces a significant dilemma regarding the former Ajax star.

While he could stay in East London beyond the summer, the question remains: would that actually be beneficial for the club?

Mohammed Kudus’s Future at West Ham

Kudus has been linked with a big-money move away from West Ham at the end of the season, with clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool reportedly interested.

His £85 million release clause, which becomes active in the summer, has fueled speculation about a potential transfer.

Given the level of interest, one might assume that West Ham will struggle to keep hold of him. However, the situation may not be as straightforward as it seems.

In fact, there is a strong possibility that Kudus will remain at the London Stadium beyond this season—and that might not necessarily be good news for the Hammers.

The first reason Kudus is unlikely to leave is his disappointing form this season. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, his overall performances have been inconsistent.

Arsenal and Liverpool, two of the clubs reportedly tracking him, are unlikely to pay his full release clause based on his current output.

The second issue is that West Ham needs to generate significant funds to revamp the squad under Potter.

If Kudus does not secure a big-money move, the club may struggle to finance the necessary improvements in other areas of the pitch.

The Kudus Conundrum

There is no doubt that Kudus is an exciting player with immense potential. On his best days, he is capable of producing moments of magic.

However, he still has several key weaknesses in his game that limit his overall effectiveness.

One of his biggest issues is his decision-making in the final third.

He tends to hold onto the ball for too long, often dribbling with his head down instead of spotting better options.

This not only slows down West Ham’s attacking play but also leads to missed opportunities.

While these flaws can be improved with time, they currently prevent him from being a truly elite attacker.

If West Ham were to sell Kudus for £85 million, they could reinvest the money in a top-class central midfielder and a versatile, pacey forward—both of which are urgently needed.

However, unless Kudus significantly improves his performances in the final months of the season, he is unlikely to attract such a high bid.

As things stand, West Ham may be forced to keep him for another year, a scenario that could complicate the summer transfer plans.