21 goals scored last season – Why West Ham want Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville

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€20m market value 

Last season Leeds United missed out on promotion back to the Premier League by the narrowest of margins. They finished six points behind second placed Ipswich, meaning they were unable to clinch automatic promotion, before losing the play-off final 1-0 to Southampton at Wembley. However, they possessed one of the most exciting young squads in the country, and it’s already leading to a mass exodus this summer. Archie Gray has moved to Tottenham for €41.25 million, Luis Sinisterra sealed his permanent move to Bournemouth for €23.4m, and other young stars such as winger Wilfried Gnonto and forward Georginio Rutter are being heavily linked with moves away from Elland Road. And the crown in their front-line jewell now looks to be on his way to a Premier League side.

According to The Athletic, West Ham are close to completing a deal for Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville – who was last season’s Championship Player of the Year. Sources claim talks are at an advanced stage and personal terms with the 22-year-old are not expected to be a problem. Dutchman Summerville scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, and currently boasts a market value of €20m. The Hammers have also held talks with Borussia Dortmund in a bid to sign Germany striker Niclas Füllkrug, as technical director Tim Steidten attempts to strengthen Julen Lopetegui’s squad. So why are the Hammers so keen on bringing in Summerville and what can the Dutchman add at West Ham?

Last season, Summerville really shone for Leeds in the Championship. After showing glimpses of what he could do the previous season in the Premier League, mainly from cameos off the bench, he became the main man for Leeds. As you can see in the graphic above, when we assess wingers currently aged 22 or younger in the Premier League and Championship last season, no player from that category scored more than Summerville’s 19 goals. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka came closest with 16. Whilst of course it’s much more difficult to replicate those number in the English top-flight, it does highlight there is a dearth of young goalscoring wingers in the English game right now. Summerville could be an investment well worth making.

Last February manager Daniel Farke was effusive in his praise for Summerville; “He is playing an outstanding season in terms of performances, end product and also his willingness to work for the team. The sky is the limit with his potential but to show consistency this is crucial.” He has already played eight times for Netherlands U21, and it would seem a call up to the first team is on the horizon. The fact Summerville has already played in the Premier League is likely to also be a crucial factor in West Ham’s decision to pursue the 22 year old.

So where would Summerville fit in at West Ham next season? As you can see on the graphic above, the Hammers were very reliant on Jarrod Bowen when it came to goalscoring last season, with their other three main attacking players contributing just 18 Premier league goals between them. Last term David Moyes would often line-up without an orthodox left-winger, with Lucas Paquetá or Mohammed Kudus usually paying that role. That decision would have in part been because West Ham didn’t really have a top left-winger. Summerville could provide balance to their attack and a genuine goal threat from that flank to ease the burden on Bowen from the right. The potential transfer is expected to command a fee in the region of €30m and would take Leeds to second on the list of clubs to have made the most money form selling players so far this summer. If the deal for both Summerville and striker Füllkrug go through, West Ham could have a dangerous new-look attack next season.