By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Manchester United’s paint-by-numbers attempts at transfers appear to show no sign of relenting because it has been revealed by The Guardian that the Old Trafford bean counters now need to sell Marcus Rashford in order to bid for Crysencio Summerville.
More Talk Than Action
The transfer saga surrounding the Dutch winger has started to become something of a soap opera and, as I mentioned in yesterday’s update, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to consider Manchester United as serious bidders.
Of course, it’s entirely their decision to conduct their transfer business however they see fit.
But the newly constructed West Ham hierarchy must surely be looking on and wondering whether the Old Trafford bosses are genuine players in this race.
West Ham Hold The Strong Hand
As things stand, I fully expect Crysencio Summerville to return to pre-season training, where he’ll no doubt look the real deal in any friendly matches he features in.
Not that any potential buying club should need convincing after his outstanding performances on the biggest stage of all at the World Cup.
But as I’ve written previously, it’s imperative that West Ham stick to their guns.
If the club’s valuation of Crysencio Summerville isn’t met, then we simply don’t sell.
It’s as simple as that.
Evidently he ripped it up in his last season in the Championship, player of the year and top goalscorer. If the release clause story was false then we should value him at what he means to our promotion push. £70m minimum I would say
If only it were that easy Gonzo. Unhappy players usually force moves in the end. Struggling to think of a player who pushed for a move only to step down and continue playing to their full potential after being made to stay.
I would also add that with all the above happening and delaying the inevitable the players value usually goes down, Payet, Arnie to name a couple.
In some of the earlier articles published on this site, you spoke about a release clause in Summerville’s contract. Did you ever establish if there is one and what it is set at?
Comparing him to some of the other wide player transfers over the summer, to me suggests that even £50M is on the low side.
I know a lot of people will say that he was inconsistent last season, albeit having a brilliant period early in the new year, but I’d keep him. Possibly offer him a huge bonus payment if we go straight back up and sell him the dream we all aspire to of being a huge club challenging for Europe every year.