Crysencio Summerville may yet become a Manchester United player this summer after a delay regarding his move to Al-Hilal. It emerged this week that West Ham had agreed to sell their winger in a move potentially worth £68 million.
However, the Netherlands international has reportedly put the brakes on his Riyadh transfer. That postponement could give United the opening they need to poach a deal of their own if they act quickly enough.
Roma also interested
Gazzetta dello Sport has reported Roma are also hoping to capitalise on their late lifeline in negotiations. They have one of their own to thank after Donyell Malen allegedly intervened to convince his countryman of a move to the Stadio Olimpico.
Summerville's World Cup teammate is described as having reached out to his friend at the 11th hour to try and deliver him to the Italian capital. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini is also purported to have waded in with a phone call of his own to try and turn the tide.
Summerville has his countrymen at United, too, with Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee already part of the furniture at Old Trafford. However, neither player was part of Ronald Koeman's World Cup squad and thus won't necessarily carry as much sway turning his head towards Manchester.
Financial details
Roma's financial package was unsurprisingly inferior in every way compared to that of Al-Hilal. West Ham had agreed to a sale worth £43 million, a club-record purchase for the Giallorossi, while reports put Al-Hilal's accepted bid somewhere between £60 million and £68 million.
It's also reported the Saudi giants put up an offer that would see Summerville earn £12.5 million per season, or £240,000 a week. That works out at almost four times the £70,000-a-week agreement Roma had in place.
United's need for a left winger
United are reportedly still on the hunt for a winger capable of playing off the left flank. That's despite speculation suggesting Michael Carrick is eager to see Marcus Rashford return to the fold at Old Trafford following his loan at Barcelona.
The club has numerous options capable of playing off the right wing in Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu and Amad. Matheus Cunha was the most prominent player off the left for United last term but may be preferred more centrally in Carrick's attack.
Summerville's World Cup performances
Summerville, 24, was one of the bright lights in a Netherlands World Cup campaign that ended in disappointing fashion. The former Leeds star only made his debut for De Oranje in early June before bagging back-to-back goals in his first two competitive appearances at the World Cup.
Those performances put some of Europe's elite on notice in light of West Ham's relegation to the Championship. However, he's clearly also made an impression in Saudi Arabia given Al-Hilal's willingness to pay a premium fee for his services.
Gazzetta's report suggested part of Gasperini's appeal to the player involved the prospect of a future move back to the Premier League. However, United may yet skip the need for that stage altogether if they decide to move for his signature now.
