By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Football transfer ITK Fabrizio Romano has given it the full “Here We Go” treatment after announcing that Crysencio Summerville is set to leave West Ham.
After three days of toing and froing, it appears the Dutch winger has finally chosen his destination and will join Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League rather than AS Roma.
As Claret & Hugh reported yesterday, Summerville refused to board a private jet sent by the Serie A club to take him to Italy for his medical.
That came after West Ham and Roma reached an agreement on Monday evening, with all parties expecting the deal to be completed without any issues.
Saudi Interest Changed Everything
The truth is, West Ham’s owners were always hoping that another club would enter the race, and Al Hilal had been monitoring the situation for some time.
It would appear the Saudi club have offered the player such eye-watering, tax-free wages that Summerville has shelved his immediate plans of playing Champions League football in favour of a move to the Saudi Pro League.
From West Ham’s point of view, you have to applaud the club.
To secure £55 million plus a potential further £10 million in add-ons for a player who, following relegation, many believed might fetch nearer £35 million is excellent business.
Replacement Now The Priority
Writing on X, Romano said:
“BREAKING: Crysencio Summerville to Al Hilal, here we go! Verbal agreement done and player just gave green light to Hilal move.
Authorised for medical after crazy 48h with AS Roma trying until the end.
West Ham get £55m fee plus £10m add-ons.”
The Saudi bid has also been confirmed directly to Claret & Hugh by a well-placed West Ham source.
It now appears to be only a matter of time before the player departs.
Hopefully, the Hammers can now get a wriggle on with signing a replacement and adding a few more players to Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad before the Championship season gets underway.
For West Ham’s recruitment team, the hard work is only just beginning.
I wonder how much we would have got in total for Fernandez and Jimmy if Sully was still in charge…….im guessing around £100m and this immediately sold on to some second rate lender.
We are coming over so much more professionally and fan friendly under the new regime than under the Brady/Sullivan era. I appreciate it is early days but a good start to the Kretinsky regime.
Great for the club but I fear it was a mistake by Summerville putting pure greed over champions league football. Silly boy.
If he wants to leave, not our problem anymore.