The £190 million of player transfer fees still owed by West Ham United is likely to become the clubs’ millstone that drags down any promotion push next season if the Hammers board do not act and inject funds into the club this summer.
It seems to be the driving force behind the stories of ‘fire sales’ – the feared wholesale sell-off of seemingly most of the first team squad – to reduce the debt run up under David Sullivan’s chairmanship.
So when a transfer story pops up that would allow West Ham both to actively reduce this transfer debt and bring in funds in one deal it bears closer scrutiny. Amongst the interest in Crysencio Summerville – reportedly from Roma, Manchester United, Tottenham – take your pick- came a story from sportsboom that went under the radar but might just have some logic:
“Leeds United are exploring the possibility of trying to lure Cryscencio Summerville back to Elland Road following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal…
Having agreed a long-term contract which could stretch until 2030, Nuno Espirito Santo’s employers are unlikely to have finished paying for the Dutchman.
And that, as Roma also monitors his situation closely, could give Leeds a head start if they decide to pursue their interest, given that they could use West Ham’s debt to negotiate a fee below the £25m the Londoners paid to acquire his services.”
Whilst talkSPORT seem to have ‘any Italian club‘ as his most likely destination with Manchester United second favourites, both the head and heart would suggest a move ‘back home’ to his previous club might be both advantageous to West Ham’s debt reduction plans, and possibly appealing to the player.
Whichever route Summerville chooses, it is unlikely that a decision will be made ahead of the World Cup final next month. Netherlands are in action next week in their pre-tournament warm up so most players will cocoon themselves away from transfer talk until the serious business is over. Which gives likely suitors a decent amount of time to plan their strategy.
Seeing Summerville thrive anew in the Premier League with Leeds United might feel a teeny bit less painful for Hammers fans watching on next season: If Sullivan can get advantageous terms to reduce the mountain of transfer debt, then a move to Leeds might make sense for all.
Get real Summerville should stay unless we get top money for him just like fernandes! We aren’t going to give away our gems for bargain money!
Martin serious question. What makes you think Sullivan is in charge of transfers . Wanted Nuno sacked and never got his way.
Why would West Ham be negotiating around the £25m mark? They have put a lot of time and effort into his development as a Premier League player and Leeds would not be considering him if he wasn’t a good prospect. Given today’s prices I would start at £40m and let Leeds and MU fight it out. He would not be as difficult to replace as Fernandes.
I agree with you Dave 2 a certain point. but i think we should hold out 4 even more than 40 mill. after all he’s still under contract 4 another 2,3,4 years not sure. and he’s only 21. and in my opinion Fernandes is worth more than the 69.3 mill Gordan has just got. unless that doesn’t mean anything 2 these modern-day-players. and when we got him from Leeds we doubled his wages. so the way i think about the situation is. he won’t be any worse off if he stayed with us 4 a year, see if we can get straight back up into the top-flight and then back on the same wages he was on. and my reasoning goes out 2 all our top players. ??? i know iv rote it, but 2 be honest with myself. it’s not gonna happen is it this ”Day-And-Age” it that players woory about is the ”MONEY” C O Y I’s
It’s a shame relegation has stopped us seeing the best of two really good signings we have made in Summerville and Fernandes
Should be around the same fee as Kudos
Basically, sell him to whoever offers the most money, excepting Spurs of course
25 million would be a joke and shouldn’t see under 40 million