Serie A club want to sign £33.7m West Ham player

West Ham transfer news: Roma step up Summerville pursuit with Malen on persuasion duty

West Ham transfer news: Roma are pushing hard to tie up a deal for Crysencio Summerville. According to Saturday’s Corriere dello Sport, the Italian giants have firmly locked onto the West Ham winger. He is a serious talent. Several of his Netherlands teammates openly rave about him, but Donyell Malen is doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. Malen, who recently made his move to Rome permanent after leaving Aston Villa, has been in his international colleague’s ear. He wants a reunion in Serie A. The chemistry is already there from their time together with the Dutch squad, and Malen is actively trying to sell him on the project.

It is a classic transfer triangulation. Roma’s top brass are handling negotiations from one side while Malen works the player from the other. Gian Piero Gasperini is the man driving the football vision. The Roma boss is reportedly dreaming of a frontline that pairs Summerville with Malen, alongside the likes of Mason Greenwood, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Matías Soulé. Summerville is well up for it. He has no desire to play Championship football under Nuno Espírito Santo next term.

Talks are officially open. West Ham want around €40m (£33.7m) for the 24-year-old, whose contract runs until 2029 with a club option for an extra year. Roma’s opening gambit sits closer to €30m. Team agency is handling the negotiations, trying to bridge that €10m gap.

Why the Hammers must cash in quickly?

West Ham should pack his bags. Seriously. Holding onto an unhappy player who has zero interest in a gruelling 46-game Championship slog is a recipe for disaster. Daniel Kretinsky’s cash injection means the club are not facing a financial fire sale, but keeping a disgruntled asset around will only tank his market value. Sell him now.

Squeezing Roma for every penny is the smart play here. The Italians are desperate for attacking reinforcements after Stephan El Shaarawy’s departure and ongoing issues surrounding Soulé. While some earlier whispers suggested West Ham might compromise around £25m, that is far too cheap. He is a full Dutch international. Leeds United also hold a sell-on clause, meaning a chunk of the change goes straight back to Elland Road. The Hammers must hold out for at least £30m to £35m.

Read: Chelsea have contacted £45k-a-week Man United target – Red Devils lead the race

If the Italians start crying poverty over his wage demands, West Ham have leverage. Tottenham Hotspur are keeping tabs on the situation. Dithering until August serves no one, especially with Nuno needing to shape a squad capable of bouncing straight back to the top flight. Get the money in. Reinvest it in a wide man who actually wants to pull on the shirt.