Relegated West Ham sell Summerville to Al-Hilal for £60m
Relegated West Ham have agreed a £60m deal to sell Crysencio Summerville to Al-Hilal, a major step in the club's financial restructuring for the Championship.
Al-Hilal have agreed a £60m deal to acquire Netherlands international Crysencio Summerville from West Ham. The 24-year-old winger has been granted clearance to undergo a medical after the London club accepted the bid on Tuesday afternoon. A move to the Riyadh-based side is now expected to be completed.
The transfer is structured as an initial £55m payment with a further £5m in add-ons. West Ham had previously rejected an offer in the region of £40m for the player, holding out for a higher valuation even as Premier League side Aston Villa reportedly circled.
The agreement underscores the continued purchasing power of Saudi football amid a broader European market where clubs are increasingly forced to monetise assets. For West Ham, the sale represents a substantial windfall and a critical component of a rapid financial restructuring following their relegation from the Premier League in May.
Dropping out of English football's top tier triggers severe financial pressures, primarily through the loss of broadcast revenue. In response, West Ham have moved quickly to cut their wage bill and raise funds to ensure stability while operating in the Championship.
The Summerville deal follows the £85m sale of midfielder Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham last month. These two transactions mean West Ham have now brought in £145m from player trading in a matter of weeks, providing a clear economic foundation for the club's next phase.
However, the club is not liquidating all of its core assets. West Ham announced that key attacker Jarrod Bowen is staying on an adjusted contract for the upcoming Championship season. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo is also remaining in place as the club attempts to balance financial prudence with its primary objective: earning promotion back to the top flight during the 2026-27 campaign.
