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Liverpool could use Johnny Heitinga to lure in Mohammed Kudus(Image: Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Liverpool assistant Johnny Heitinga could yet help lure West Ham's Mohammed Kudus, a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, to Anfield.

With the Egyptian King yet to pen a new deal and his current contract ending in June, the hunt could be on for a star to fill his near-unfillable boots this summer.

The Ghanaian is believed to have an £85million release clause in his contract which kicks in this coming summer, but according to Sky Sports, this figure is far greater than what Slot's side wish to pay.

The Mail further claim that West Ham will not budge on this fee, with both the Reds and title-challenging Gunners monitoring the situation to see whether the attacker's club maintains their stance.

Heitinga worked with Kudus at both Ajax and West Ham(Image: Getty Images)

Considering the player's attitude, though, comments made by Kudus in the past paint a glittering picture of former Ajax and West Ham coach Heitinga – who took to the dugout in place of the suspended Slot on Wednesday evening for title-bound Liverpool's 2-0 win at home to Newcastle, in which Salah grabbed another assist.

"I felt very good under him," Kudus told Voetbal Primeur.

"He is the best coach I had at Ajax.

I would have liked to have worked with him longer."

Ex-Everton defender Heitinga arrived back on English soil in the summer of 2023, moving from Dutch giants Ajax to work under David Moyes at West Ham – the same route to the Premier League that Kudus took.

The Athletic report that the 41-year-old recommended Kudus to Moyes before he was signed later that August for £38m.

When the Scottish head coach left his post last year, Heitinga followed him out the exit door, accepting a job under the newly installed Slot two months later.

"He is a top trainer, and I really appreciated his efforts to make the players better at the time," Kudus also said of Heitinga.

I am very grateful to him for our time at West Ham."

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Should a gaping void be left up front at Anfield this summer, or the Reds become keen to bolster their attacking options, the seemingly strong relationship formed between both Heitinga and Kudus during their time at West Ham and Ajax could make for a potent reunion on Merseyside.


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