West Ham United immediately rejected an opening £34 million approach from AS Roma for winger Crysencio Summerville. The Italian club laid out strict financial boundaries during recent talks in Italy with the player’s representatives. West Ham labeled the structured deal a non-starter.
Roma executives told Summerville’s camp they will not exceed a €40 million (£34 million) transfer fee. They also capped wage offers at £65,000 per week. That falls well short of both the club’s valuation and the player’s own salary demands, which currently sit around £100,000 per week. West Ham dismissed the Italian club’s opening £34 million bid, demanding the full £40 million release clause triggered by their recent Championship relegation, as noted in a club analysis from Read West Ham.
Dropping to the second tier initiated a broad squad rebuild under head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. The club just appointed Nils Koppen as the new director of player recruitment. Koppen is already showing active interest in Everton winger Dwight McNeil to potentially fill the void if Summerville departs.
But Roma is not putting all their chips on the West Ham forward. The Serie A side submitted a concurrent loan-to-buy offer for Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho, according to a live update by Sky Sports. Roma proposed an initial loan with a £30 million option that could become a permanent obligation. Chelsea is holding out for a £42.7 million package.
Meanwhile, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are closely monitoring the stalled negotiations. United held initial, exploratory discussions with West Ham regarding a potential move for Summerville. Their ability to formally enter the bidding war remains heavily dependent on resolving Marcus Rashford’s future at Old Trafford first.
The Verdict
West Ham holds the cards here despite their relegation. Until Roma or Manchester United meet the exact £40 million release clause, Summerville remains firmly under Nuno Espírito Santo’s control. Roma’s divided attention with the Garnacho bid suggests they are not willing to overspend to break the standoff.