West Ham could deal Liverpool a major blow as they plan ahead to replace both Mohammed Kudus and Vladimir Coufal next summer.
The Hammers and Liverpool were at two opposite ends of the scale when it came to transfer spending over the summer.
West Ham spent more than £155m to sign nine players for their new boss Julen Lopetegui.
The Reds have gone about things in a different way, though, with Federico Chiesa the only arrival for their own new manager Arne Slot.
Earlier this month a top board source at the London Stadium suggested West Ham will likely have to sell Mohammed Kudus next summer.
The Ghanaian has a release clause in his contract, reportedly set at £85m, which will be active again next summer.
And there has been intense speculation Liverpool want Kudus as the heir to Mohamed Salah.
Kudus will not be the only player West Ham will need to replace next summer, though.
West Ham to scupper Liverpool plan with move for hybrid star
Ageing right-back Vladimir Coufal will be out of contract and looks certain to leave having lost his place to Aaron Wan-Bissaka at West Ham.
Lopetegui has made it clear on several occasions he wants two senior players for each position.
That is the norm at top clubs such as Liverpool of course.
So if Kudus and Coufal do depart, it will leave the Hammers needing a winger and right-back.
Even if young Brazilian star Luis Guilherme does eventually fulfil his undoubted potential in east London.
Speculation over a move to Real Madrid next summer continues to abound about Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Reds recruitment team, headed up by Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, already have someone in mind as a potential replacement for Alexander-Arnold should that deal transpire.
But West Ham could scupper Liverpool’s plan by reuniting Lopetegui with a hybrid replacement for Kudus and Coufal.
According to sources at Caught Offside, Liverpool want Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez, who is out of contract in 2026.
Especially as Sevilla are reportedly willing to consider offers of around €25m (£20m) for the highly rated 21-year-old next summer.
Lopetegui eyes Sanchez as Kudus and Coufal replacement
Liverpool’s big problem, though, is West Ham and Lopetegui’s excellent relationship with Sanchez.
The Hammers boss was the man who gave Sanchez his big break at Sevilla, bringing him into the side as an 18-year-old.
Lopetegui oversaw Sanchez’s development from academy to first team for three years before he was dismissed in 2022.
Sanchez plays primarily as a winger but is equally adept at playing right-back.
That makes him the perfect hybrid two birds with one stone replacement for Kudus and Coufal.
Liverpool have made him a target to replace Alexander-Arnold.
But the report claims West Ham have been watching his performances closely and are also showing a keen interest in the Spanish star.
No formal contact has been made by either Liverpool or West Ham yet, it is claimed.
But, crucially, it is believed the top Sevilla talent is open to leaving the club next summer.
West Ham will be hoping Lopetegui will be their Trump card if that’s the case.
Providing he’s still Hammers manager by then of course.
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