​Manchester United have wasted little time lamenting being beaten to the punch for Mateus Fernandes by Tottenham Hotspur, after Spurs accelerated a deal to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea. Yet the Red Devils now fear a similar fate could await them in their pursuit of Crysencio Summerville, according to a fresh report.
Having been priced out of their top choices, such as Morgan Rogers and Yan Diomande, United have made Summerville their No.1 target on the left wing this summer. The 24-year-old Dutch winger, described as “incredible” for his trickery, is capable of excelling on either flank and enjoyed a productive season for West Ham, even as the Hammers were relegated on the final day. He totalled seven goals and five assists in all competitions.
Representing the Netherlands, the Rotterdam-born winger has continued his form, scoring twice and setting up two more in four World Cup appearances. His opener against Japan featured a superb strike, cutting in from the right onto his weaker left foot. This level of versatility is precisely what Manchester United’s hierarchy want as they hunt to fashion a fluid frontline, with 6’5” striker Benjamin Sesko at the focal point. Both Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can operate wide or through the middle, making a natural winger like Summerville an ideal partner to mirror Amad on the right.
West Ham are reportedly asking around £50 million to part with the former Leeds United man this summer. He previously earned the Championship Player of the Year accolade during his time at Elland Road.
Sky Sports reports that Manchester United, led by sporting director Jason Wilcox, have conducted initial, exploratory talks with West Ham over a possible deal for Summerville. With the Netherlands having been eliminated from the World Cup by Morocco recently, the winger’s future is expected to become clearer in the coming weeks. However, the report notes that United would ideally fund the transaction through the sale of Marcus Rashford. After Barcelona chose not to trigger the £26 million option to sign Rashford permanently, the England forward is set to return to Old Trafford.
Rashford is currently with the England squad at the World Cup, where they are seemingly poised to advance deep into the tournament, with a quarter-final clash against Norway on the horizon. Sky Sports suggests Rashford’s return could push Summerville’s move back to “well into August,” thereby delaying United’s pursuit of the Dutch winger.
United are not alone in eyeing Summerville. Chelsea, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have all shown interest in the relegated star. Yet Tottenham’s late entry into the race has intensified United’s concerns that Spurs could snatch another targets’ deal from under their noses. The club’s hierarchy at Old Trafford are acutely aware that losing out to Spurs on a high-priority signing would be a damaging blow if they do not act swiftly.