By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
If you’re thinking this is Groundhog Day or you have a strange sense of déjà vu, then you’d be right.
Because this afternoon numerous media outlets are once again reporting that Manchester United are weighing up a move for West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville.
Old Trafford’s movers and shakers seem to have spent an awful lot of time weighing things up this summer and not much time actually buying anybody, as we saw with their botched pursuit of Mateus Fernandes.
It’s now been three weeks since United were first linked with Summerville.
Yet still no bid has arrived.
It’s Not Just West Ham Waiting
If you think it’s only the Hammers growing frustrated with Manchester United’s transfer tactics, think again.
Reports suggest Michael Carrick is also an admirer of Manu Koné, Alex Scott and Eduardo Camavinga.
However, each player’s reported £80 million valuation is apparently viewed as being too expensive for the Old Trafford bean counters.
That rather sums up Manchester United’s summer.
Big Club Reputation… Small Club Negotiating?
I couldn’t tell you whether Manchester United are the biggest football club in the world, as many people claim.
What I can say is that their behaviour in the transfer market doesn’t resemble that of a big club.
Constant reports of impending bids that never materialise, coupled with an apparent reluctance to meet market valuations, suggest a club spending more time talking than acting.
That won’t make life any easier for former West Ham midfielder Michael Carrick, despite his encouraging start as caretaker manager.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s becoming beyond a joke.
Whilst I’ve accepted the likelihood that Crysencio Summerville will eventually leave the London Stadium, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to view Manchester United as serious buyers.
Their approach reminds me of the tyre-kicker who messages you on eBay full of promises just as your auction is about to end, only to disappear when it’s time to put their hand in their pocket.
Of course, I’m not blind to the irony of a West Ham fan criticising another club’s lack of activity when the Hammers themselves have yet to make a first-team signing during this transfer window.
The difference, however, is that West Ham aren’t repeatedly briefing everyone that they’re about to make an offer before disappearing into another week of deliberation.
Until Manchester United actually submit a bid, this feels like little more than another lap of the same old transfer merry-go-round.
Gonzo Bonzo. Stay in your lane 🤡.
UTD have done proper and good business.
Avoided poor attitude Fernandez.
Doesn’t allow other clubs to hold them ransom amymore.
Cry me a river about UTD not letting a relegated club dictate premises. The fact is Fernandez went to Tottenham to play for nothing. No medals, no CL. nothing.
2 years in a row close to relegation.
No thx to players like that is only on it for money.
So now Man U bought to good players for the prize of Fernandes and still can buy players if you count Tonelli .inflated prizing from West Ham is not strange?.85 mill for Fernandes was 25 mill to much and only Tottenham desperation to stay next season in the EPL is making them pay crazy money unless you think the money they paid for Tonelli and Fernandes is normal.