John Heitinga can be Liverpool's secret weapon to sign £85m Premier League star

Liverpool assistant coach John Heitinga could be crucial if Arne Slot wants to sign West Ham star Mohammed Kudus this summer. The Premier League club have been linked with a switch for Kudus, but may need to pay his reported £85million release clause.

Kudus has enjoyed two separate spells working under Heitinga. The 23-year-old was part of the Ajax team that was coached by the former Everton defender, before they were reunited at West Ham 12 months ago.

Heitinga was a member of David Moyes’ coaching staff at West Ham last term but he left following the Scot’s departure at the end of the season. The 40-year-old is now working under Slot at Liverpool.

Kudus says Heitinga is the best coach he had at Ajax and insists their relationship continued during their year at West Ham.

“I felt very good under Heitinga. He is the best trainer I have had at Ajax,” he said. “Apart from the training aspect, I also have a very high regard for him in terms of standards and values. Personally, I would have loved to work with him longer.

“He is a top trainer, and I really appreciated his efforts to make the players better at the time. When he [Heitinga] took over for the rest of the season, he made an immediate impact. It got better.

“When we met again, there were immediate things that connected us. He tried to make me and all the other players better. I am very grateful to him for our time at West Ham.”

Kudus shone for West Ham last season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. New head coach Julen Lopetegui will be desperate to keep the Ghana international amid interest from Premier League and European rivals.

Liverpool are likely to be in the market for a new winger. Kudus’s versatility means he can also play in a more central role, which could be beneficial to Slot should the Dutchman decide to pursue a move for the player.

Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz have been linked with exits from Anfield over the coming months. Saudi Arabian clubs are likely to reprise their interest in Salah, who only has a year remaining on his contract.

Meanwhile, Japanese publication Sponichi report that Liverpool are close to sealing a £55m transfer for Takefusa Kubo. The Real Sociedad winger’s representatives are reportedly in England thrashing out the final parts of a deal with the Reds.