Crisis mode has descended on the London Stadium as Crysencio Summerville edges closer to a £68 million mega-move to Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal. The West Ham United winger's exit is now an inevitability, with three years still remaining on his contract at the Hammers' humble abode. The Dutch speed demon's impending departure has left fans reeling, but it's little surprise given the club's relegation from the Premier League in May.
The Al-Hilal juggernaut has steamrolled all competition with its massive £68 million offer, outbidding Serie A side Roma's previous £39 million bid by a country mile. Manchester United and Aston Villa had been keen to keep Summerville in England's top flight, but the allure of Saudi riches proved too great to resist.
As he prepares for medicals and a long-term contract with Al-Hilal, Summerville is set to bring an end to his six-year tenure in English football. It began promisingly enough in 2020 when he joined Leeds United from Feyenoord, netting 25 goals in 89 appearances before making the switch to West Ham in 2024.
In a season that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons at the London Stadium, Summerville's individual brilliance earned him a call-up to the Netherlands World Cup squad. He scored twice in Qatar but couldn't prevent his team's elimination in the last 32. The £68 million deal would mark West Ham's second major player exit this summer, following Mateus Fernandes' £85 million transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.
Fernandes has already expressed his excitement for his new chapter at Spurs, telling the club website, “I'm very excited for this next step. Spurs is a massive club and the head coach was a key part of why I have decided to join.” He added, “I can't wait to get started, to meet the fans, to meet everyone and give everything for the club.”