By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Football transfer ITK Fabrizio Romano has revealed that West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville is edging ever closer to a departure from the club.
Yesterday, it was widely reported that the Hammers rejected a £39 million offer from Roma for the Dutch winger, with the club maintaining an overall valuation of £50 million before they’ll allow Summerville to leave.
More Clubs Entering The Picture
The last 48 hours have seen a number of conflicting reports.
One consistent theme has been that Aston Villa could yet enter the bidding for Summerville should they bank an expected windfall of almost £117 million from the sale of England international Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.
West Ham’s owners have been playing the same sort of transfer hardball they displayed during the sale of Mateus Fernandes, and there certainly seems to be a stubbornness when it comes to selling not only prized assets but also players who are surplus to requirements.
Be it demanding £85 million for Fernandes, £50 million for Summerville, or even just a nominal fee for unwanted Niclas Füllkrug, the messaging has remained the same.
Clubs have to pay what West Ham are asking.
Roma Expected To Return
With that in mind, it would appear Roma are set to improve their offer according to Fabrizio Romano, who posted on X:
“AS Roma are set to send new bid to West Ham for Crysencio Summerville.
Opening €40m plus €5m bid rejected on Saturday, Roma set to get back to the table and present new proposal.
Negotiations continue with player keen on the move.”
It will be interesting to see how quickly this one develops, with the player expected to return to Rush Green for pre-season training within the next few days.
If Roma’s opening bid is anything to go by, there is still a £10 million gap between what West Ham are asking and what the Italian club are currently willing to pay.
That said, there has been an acceptance at West Ham since the beginning of the transfer window that if clubs do not meet the asking price, then new owner Daniel Křetínský is perfectly prepared to insist players stay and help get the club back into the Premier League.
As we’ve consistently reported on Claret & Hugh, West Ham’s stance hasn’t changed.
Pay the asking price… or don’t get the player.
At last someone in charge of the club who has a plan, knows what he wants and sticks to it.
Were you able to confirm that there was a time limit for the release clause Gonzo? That could be crucial because he is worth more than £40m after his World Cup exploits and we can charge more for him once any deadline has passed
Transfer fees are climbing rapidly.
Villa are flush, £55m with 20% sell on clause, take it or move on.
Summerville is worth more to whu, providing he stays fit, approx. £250m to resume premiership status.
Offer him a Bowen type contract but don’t think it would match £6m annual wages.
Can’t imagine Roma would be anywhere near that but Villa might.
About time too. Hopefully the days of letting players go for a pittance are consigned to the history books.