Manchester United have made a formal move to sign West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville, with discussions already underway between the two clubs.
According to TEAMtalk, United have lodged formal enquiries with the recently-relegated Hammers over a potential summer deal for the 24-year-old Dutchman.
West Ham have placed a £50m asking price on Summerville’s head, making it a significant but not unfamiliar outlay for a club that spent over £200m on forwards last summer.
Tottenham Hotspur are also in the picture, having reached out to the player’s representatives in recent days, meaning United face competition for his signature.
Summerville himself is reported to be keen on a return to the Premier League this summer, which could work in United’s favour as negotiations progress.
The winger scored seven goals in 34 appearances across all competitions for West Ham last season, despite the club ultimately suffering relegation from the Premier League at the end of May.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo has dubbed Summerville “unstoppable”, and the statistics back that assessment up with the attacker completing 1.9 successful dribbles per 90 minutes.
That dribble success rate places him in the top 18% of players across Europe’s top-five leagues, highlighting the threat he poses when running directly at defenders.
He also drew 2.4 fouls per 90 in the Premier League last season, further underlining his ability to unsettle opposition defences and win his side set-piece opportunities in dangerous areas.
His 23% cross completion rate and 28% shot-on-target accuracy demonstrate that his contributions extend well beyond simply driving into the final third with pace and purpose.
The move is being seen as a potential replacement for Marcus Rashford, who starred on loan at Barcelona last season with 25 combined goals and assists across 49 appearances in all competitions.
Despite Rashford’s impressive spell in Spain, Barcelona confirmed they will not be triggering their option to buy, leaving his long-term future at Old Trafford in serious doubt.
Rashford’s goal against Croatia in the World Cup opener on Wednesday night served as a timely reminder of the quality he still possesses at the highest level.
Both Summerville and Rashford share a very similar profile as left-wing operators who love to cut inside onto their stronger right foot and find the top corner.
Summerville’s dribble numbers actually rank higher than Rashford’s, which makes the prospect of adding him to Michael Carrick’s squad an increasingly attractive proposition.
United secured a return to Champions League football last season, with Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha netting 32 Premier League goals between them following their arrivals.
Despite that attacking success, INEOS appear determined to add further depth and competition in wide areas ahead of the new campaign, with this summer’s transfer window now open.
Rafael Leao of AC Milan has also been linked as a potential option, with the 27-year-old Portuguese international valued at around £40m and reportedly open to a Premier League move.
A £50m deal for Summerville would represent a major investment, but one that could give Carrick a genuine like-for-like replacement as Rashford’s time at Old Trafford appears to be drawing to a close.