Ex-Leeds United man Crysencio Summerville’s inclusion in the Netherlands World Cup squad sparked speculation of a potential further windfall from the 2024 transfer deal.
Summerville was one of the players keen to remain at Elland Road following the club’s 2023 relegation into the Championship, believing he would get significant game time and a chance to prove his quality. The winger was a standout performer for Daniel Farke’s side in the second tier, scoring 19 goals and adding nine assists to earn himself the title of Championship Player of the Season. Although Summerville’s form tailed off towards the end of the campaign and Leeds’ bitterly disappointing play-off final defeat at Wembley, it was sufficient to attract a number of suitors in the transfer window. It wasn’t until August 3 that West Ham United triggered a release clause in the Dutchman’s contract, with Leeds raking in just over £25m plus add-ons.
Since then Summerville has had to bide his time to prove he can be a Premier League star. His first season with the Hammers was ended prematurely by a serious hamstring injury that cost him 18 top flight games. And this season he did not get off the mark until January when he hit the net in a 2-1 win over Spurs. That goal was the first of four in consecutive Premier League games and he ended the campaign with seven in all competitions, plus five assists. Even before West Ham’s relegation was confirmed, despite a final day victory over Leeds, speculation had begun that Summerville would be a target for clubs at home and abroad this summer. A return to the Championship appears unlikely, at best.
But amid disappointment at club level, Summerville has been boosted by a first ever call up to the Netherlands squad and for a World Cup to boot. The 24-year-old earned 37 Dutch youth caps but will join up with Ronald Koeman’s senior set-up for the friendlies against Algeria and Uzbekistan, before the group stage games of this summer’s major tournament, against Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.
Speculation has been rife that Leeds could stand to earn a windfall from Summerville’s impending international debut, should he get on the pitch to win a first international cap. But the YEP has learned that reports on social media that emerged around the time of his transfer suggesting such a clause in the deal were wide of the mark. Club sources have confirmed that Leeds are not due any extra cash if Summerville plays for his country.
The World Cup group stage could see Summerville come up against two current Leeds United stars. Left wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson has been called up for the Sweden squad, despite having his club season curtailed by injury, while Ao Tanaka is in the Japan squad.
Continue Reading