Manchester United are looking to bolster their squad in this transfer window and West Ham's Crysencio Summerville is the latest name linked with the Reds
Crysencio Summerville celebrates scoring for the Netherlands on his World Cup debut vs Japan
Crysencio Summerville celebrates scoring for the Netherlands on his World Cup debut vs Japan(Image: Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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On the day that Manchester United change tack on Marcus Rashford, the Reds have been linked with a new name to replace the England international. Rashford was expected to join Barcelona after a good season at the Camp Nou but the arrival on Anthony Gordon in Catalonia has left that plan in tatters, for now.
United would prefer Rashford to leave permanently this summer, and after the deadline for Barcelona to activate his £26m clause passed on Monday, the Reds are now open to offers for him. The hope for United will be that Rashford's performances at the World Cup drum up interest.
In the meantime, United need to think about their next steps. When only interim head coach at Old Trafford, Michael Carrick suggested the Reds would be looking for a left winger in the summer and one look at the squad tells you that will be a priority.
Currently, Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu are the only realistic options on the left flank. Dorgu could be converted into a full-time, left-sided winger after his impressive stint during the early days of Carrick's tenure. However, Cunha is more likely to be pushed into other positions, depending on what is needed.
So who could come in to strengthen this squad? West Ham's Crysencio Summerville has been linked with United. The Netherlands international returned seven goals and five assists for West Ham last season, despite the East London club being relegated from the Premier League.
"Forward players need this confidence, and he has that one-v-one [ability]. When he can use it in [these kinds of] spaces, he’s almost unstoppable," Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo said after his goal against Burton Albion in the FA Cup.
Crysencio Summerville acknowledges the West Ham fans following their Premier League relegation
Crysencio Summerville acknowledges the West Ham fans following their Premier League relegation
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Summerville showed that direct threat this week as he scored against Japan on his World Cup debut. That brilliant curling effort was a taster of what the former Leeds man could offer the Reds next season.
At 24, he remains a player with his best years ahead of him. Plus, as Jason Wilcox pointed out this season, United want to sign players who can 'plug and play' in the Premier League.
It is believed £50m could be enough for the Reds to sign the winger this summer, and that price could potentially be negotiated down. That offers United some room for a re-sale profit, attracting Ineos further to the deal.
These are the kind of transfers that appeal to United now. A lower financial risk but a potentially huge reward if the winger reaches his potential at Old Trafford.
It may not be headline grabbing as a superstar signing but if Summerville had the same impact as Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo did last season, United fans won't care one bit.