West Ham United have waved off Crysencio Summerville after the winger agreed a €70m (£59.8m; $79.6m) move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal. The 24-year-old leaves east London on a four-year contract just days before the new Premier League season kicks off, with the Hammers already preparing for life in the Championship.
What happened with Crysencio Summerville at West Ham United?
Summerville’s exit was always likely, but the timing dragged until the final week of July. His departure follows West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League last season, when they finished 18th with 39 points from 38 games and a recent run of WLLLW. The Dutch winger had been linked with multiple clubs since last summer, including Nottingham Forest, Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa, but West Ham blocked a move until now.
The Saudi Pro League’s lure proved too strong. Summerville, who joined from Leeds United in August 2024 for £25m, racked up 46 goals and 65 conceded in his two seasons at the London Stadium, but his World Cup displays for the Netherlands and Villa’s interest underlined his value. Manchester United enquired, yet their failure to sell Marcus Rashford before his £40m exit clause expired left the path to Old Trafford closed.
Why Summerville’s exit stings for West Ham
The left flank now has a gaping hole. Maxwel Cornet’s four-year spell is ending this window, while Keiber Lamadrid has managed just one senior appearance since his January arrival. Adama Traoré left on a free transfer in June after talks broke down. Nuno Espírito Santo, the manager, admitted the club cannot afford another mistake: “We are working every day to make the right decisions. We cannot get this wrong.”
Summerville was West Ham’s second high-profile post-relegation loss, after Mateus Fernandes’ £85m switch to Tottenham Hotspur three weeks earlier. His loyalty mirrored Jarrod Bowen’s, who signed a revised contract last week to stay in the Championship. Yet the Al Hilal payday was simply too big to turn down for a player who turns 25 next month.
What comes next for West Ham United?
Nuno’s squad rebuild must move fast. The club’s interest in Amario Cozier-Duberry has cooled as Brighton plan to offer the 21-year-old an improved deal. With the transfer window open for just over a month, West Ham need reinforcements who can gel quickly. The manager insists the core remains committed: “We have a squad from last season that has a commitment and a purpose. It is vital for us to keep this togetherness and then integrate the right players with the right purpose.”
For now, West Ham United start their Championship campaign without one of their brightest talents. Summerville’s exit closes one chapter, but the next one-rebuilding under pressure-is already under way. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 18th in Premier League, 39 pts, 10W-9D-19L from 38 games, recent form WLLLW.
