Ghanaian attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus' release clause in his West Ham United contract has been rendered ineffective for this summer's transfer window, according to reports by The Athletic.
The clause, which was speculated to be triggered by a potential £85 million move by another Premier League club, only becomes active at a specific point in time.
Unfortunately for Kudus' suitors, that point is not until the end of the 2024-25 campaign, when the clause will expire on June 30.
Kudus, who joined West Ham last year, is contracted to the club until 2028, with the possibility of an extension. Any renegotiation of his contract, including the release clause, would likely only occur if his deal is extended.
Despite this setback, Kudus' impressive debut season at West Ham has caught the attention of many, with the 23-year-old contributing eight goals and six assists in Premier League games.
He also played a key role in the Hammers' Europa League run, scoring five goals, including a memorable solo effort voted "goal of the tournament."
Prior to joining West Ham, Kudus spent three seasons at Ajax, scoring 16 goals in the Dutch Eredivisie. He has also been a regular for the Ghanaian national team, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances.
