West Ham United are in advanced talks to sign Leeds United forward Crysencio Summerville.
The 22-year-old starred for Daniel Farke’s team last season, scoring 21 goals and providing nine assists.
West Ham have already signed defender Max Kilman from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brazilian teenage winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham this summer.
Leeds fell short of promotion back to the Premier League last summer after being edged out 1-0 by Southampton in the promotion play-off final.
Summerville spent 12 years in Feyenoord’s youth system but never made a senior appearance for the Dutch club, who loaned him out to FC Dordrecht and ADO Den Haag on season-long arrangements.
The forward then joined moved to Elland Road on a permanent deal in September 2020 and has gone on to score 25 goals in 89 appearances for Leeds.
Summerville would be the latest significant exit from the club’s squad this summer, after midfielder Archie Gray joined Tottenham Hotspur — with defender Joe Rodon moving the other way in a permanent deal. Glen Kamara has joined Rennes and Charlie Cresswell has moved to Toulouse.
Luis Sinisterra, Marc Roca, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Luke Ayling and Ian Poveda, who all spent last season on loan deals away from Leeds, have left Elland Road permanently.
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Summerville is shaping Leeds’ season – even when he’s not supposed to
Summerville was crucial to Leeds’ promotion push
Summerville was crucial to Leeds’ promotion push last season and was recognised for a standout campaign with the EFL’s Championship player of the season award.
The Dutchman came alive working in Farke’s system, operating off the left flank and regularly cutting inside.
He formed a good partnership with Georginio Rutter and the pair were thick as thieves off it too, with Summerville bringing a lively atmosphere to the Leeds dressing room.
Summerville’s dribbling ability and moments of quality would be sorely missed in the team. At points last season when Leeds were struggling they fed the ball wide to the winger in the hope of a moment of magic. He so often came through with brilliance on the ball.
There is still plenty of room for Summerville to grow and there are rough edges to his game that could be refined if he is to become a top player. But there is a reason that he has garnered so much attention this window and should attract a considerable price tag: Summerville has serious talent and potential.
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‘The potential is there to achieve big things’ – the making of Crysencio Summerville
(MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
