Man Utd face a possible transfer setback as agent of £40m target seen at Champions League club
Manchester United’s hopes of signing one of Michael Carrick’s main targets have taken a big hit.
Recently, United’s transfer activity picked up pace, with the club confirming the £48 million signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea on Monday. This news came just after it was revealed that Manchester United are close to finalizing a deal for Aston Villa’s playmaker Youri Tielemans. The Red Devils have triggered the £35 million release clause in Tielemans’ contract, and he completed his medical on Tuesday before signing a five-year contract at Old Trafford.
Carrick must be happy to see two new midfielders joining the squad, and a third one could be on the way soon. Man United are linked with Roma’s Manu Kone and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes as they look to add more skill to their midfield alongside Tielemans and Santos.
Outside of midfield, the club is searching for a new left winger to challenge Matheus Cunha. West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville is their top target here. Summerville has a release clause of about £40 million, although West Ham initially asked for £70 million.
However, chances of signing Summerville might have been hurt a little. Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Summerville’s agents were seen in Rome after Roma renewed their interest in signing him. The winger is represented by The Team agency, which also looks after Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde, Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones. Di Marzio says the agents will “most likely” meet Roma to discuss a possible move for West Ham’s No.7, who contributed to 15 goals last season.
Man United will want to stop their top target from heading to Italy. If they meet his release clause, that would force West Ham to make a tough choice. The Hammers are open to receiving payments in installments rather than one big £40 million sum, which gives clubs more flexibility when making a deal.
If United do manage to sign Summerville, they’d be adding one of last season’s most exciting players. According to FotMob, he ranked in the top 5% of Premier League players for fouls drawn per 90 minutes and in the top 20% for successful dribbles, showing off his amazing ability on the ball.
Summerville was probably the league’s best winger when it came to one-on-one duels, using his quick pace and low centre of gravity to trouble defenders. Carrick would love to add that to an attack that’s already dangerous. Nuno Espirito Santo even called him “unstoppable.”
“We knew we might need him, especially thinking about extra time,” Nuno said in February. “There were tired legs and we needed energy. Summerville helped us a lot.
“He’s doing a good job and is in great form. Forward players need confidence, and he’s got that one-on-one skill. When he uses it in tight spaces, he’s almost unstoppable.”