West Ham latest: Roma hold further talks with Summerville reps over move

Roma’s Summerville pursuit intensifies as West Ham weigh options

AS Roma have stepped up their pursuit of West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville, the Serie A side’s representatives are locked in fresh talks with the player’s representatives. The move comes amid a period of flux for both clubs, with West Ham navigating a precarious league campaign—currently 14th in the Premier League with 28 points from 28 games—and Roma searching for attacking reinforcements to bolster their European ambitions. The talks mark the latest phase in a transfer saga that has gathered pace in recent weeks, with Summerville, who has featured intermittently for West Ham this season with just 12 league appearances (5 starts), remaining a player the club may be willing to entertain offers for if the right valuation is met.

Roma, meanwhile, are weighing up whether to pursue the 23-year-old as part of a broader reshaping of their squad ahead of next season, with the club having already secured a Europa Conference League spot and eyeing a push for Serie A and domestic cup honours. For West Ham, the potential sale of Summerville would represent another chapter in a transfer window that has already seen significant movement, including the January exits of midfielders Tomáš Souček and Declan Rice. The club’s recent results have done little to ease concerns over their league position, with VAR controversies and narrow defeats compounding a season of frustration. West Ham’s relegation nightmare deepens after VAR heartbreak vs Arsenal has only intensified scrutiny on the club’s decision-making, both on and off the pitch.

Why Summerville fits Roma’s long-term project

Roma’s interest in Summerville is not merely a short-term fix but aligns with their broader ambition to build a squad capable of competing domestically and in Europe. The club’s ownership has repeatedly emphasised the need for squad depth, particularly in wide positions, where versatility and creativity are prized. Summerville’s profile—youth, Premier League experience, and a reputation for direct running—appears to fit the mould Roma are targeting, with his ability to operate on either flank adding tactical flexibility.

While his minutes at West Ham have been limited, his performances in the Championship during a loan spell at Leeds United last season drew attention, where he scored 5 goals in 16 appearances. The winger’s ability to stretch play and contribute in transition could offer Roma a tactical option they currently lack, particularly given the injury concerns surrounding key wide players such as Nicola Zalewski and Lorenzo Pellegrini. This pursuit also underscores Roma’s willingness to look beyond Serie A for talent, a strategy that has defined their transfer activity in recent years, with the club having previously signed Premier League players such as Tammy Abraham and Elden Ryan.

With European football secured for next season, the club is positioning itself to make a push for domestic honours, and adding a Premier League-ready winger would be a statement of intent. Summerville’s direct style could complement Roma’s possession-based approach, offering a counterbalance to their more technical players by providing width and defensive transitions.

West Ham’s balancing act: sell, retain, or gamble on recovery

West Ham’s stance on Summerville remains finely balanced. The club’s recent struggles in the Premier League have left them vulnerable to offers for players they might otherwise have retained, but the winger’s potential resale value could be a factor in any decision. VAR drama hands Arsenal Premier League title lifeline vs West Ham has only added pressure to a squad already under the microscope, with every performance scrutinised for signs of progress or regression.

If Roma table an acceptable bid—reportedly in the region of £25-30m—West Ham may opt to cash in rather than risk losing the player for nothing in the summer. Alternatively, if the club’s form improves—particularly in the final stretch of the season—they may choose to hold onto Summerville as part of a long-term project. The winger’s contract situation will also play a role; if he is unwilling to extend his stay beyond 2026, a sale becomes more likely, with the player having just 18 months remaining on his current deal.

For now, the talks remain at an exploratory stage, but the momentum is clearly with Roma. West Ham’s next moves—whether in the transfer market or on the pitch—will determine whether Summerville becomes another name on the club’s growing list of departures or a key figure in their survival bid. The club’s recent £30m bid for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise highlights their desperation for attacking reinforcements, but any sale of Summerville would further deplete their options.

Tactical fit and the road ahead

If Summerville were to join Roma, his role would likely be as a rotational option rather than an immediate starter. The Serie A side already boast a deep squad, but injuries and fatigue in wide areas—most notably with Zalewski sidelined for up to two months—could create opportunities for the Englishman to impress. His direct style could complement Roma’s possession-based approach, offering a counterbalance to their more technical players by providing width and defensive transitions.

For West Ham, the potential loss of Summerville would leave a gap in their attacking options, particularly if they fail to replace him with a comparable profile. The club’s reliance on individual moments of quality—whether from Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, or others—has been a recurring theme this season, and another departure would only amplify those concerns. The club’s recent £20m bid for Brighton’s Solly March underscores their desperation for a direct, Premier League-ready winger.

The coming days will be pivotal. If Roma finalise their proposal, West Ham will face a stark choice: take the money and reshape the squad, or gamble on a late-season revival that could render the winger’s future irrelevant. Either way, Summerville’s next move will be watched closely—not just as a transfer story, but as a barometer of West Ham’s ambitions in an increasingly uncertain campaign.