Leading English clubs are eyeing a summer move for West Ham forward Crysencio Summerville as interest gathers in players who may be relegated from the Premier League this month.
Summerville, 24, has been an important player this season with seven goals but Nuno Espírito Santo’s team are now back in the bottom three – and dropping into the Championship will lead to players being targeted.
A range of Champions League clubs in England and across Europe have shown interest in Summerville, whose asking price will depend on whether West Ham remain in the top flight.
The former Leeds winger was in line for a senior debut for Netherlands in March, with Ronald Koeman admitting “if he had been fit, I would have called him up”, which leaves the door open for a surprise World Cup call-up or Summerville being part of the Dutch Euro 2028 plans.
West Ham would expect to make a profit on the £25m plus add-ons they paid for Summerville two years ago, after a season when the Dutchman stayed at Leeds in the Championship. Any player who is relegated will face a decision whether to stay and fight for promotion back to the Premier League or leave.
One factor for clubs is that Summerville is classed as “home-grown” after starting in Leeds’s academy, with squads limited on the number of non-home-grown players they can register.
This summer is expected to see wide forwards high on clubs’ wanted lists as they look to shape their squads for 2026-27.
Bayern Munich are interested in Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon and other clubs could join the race for him. Arsenal have also been linked with Gordon and may look at a forward this summer. Liverpool are also expected to be in the market for a winger with Mohamed Salah leaving Anfield at the end of the season.
Vultures circle relegation-threatened clubs for summer bargain
West Ham
As reported by Telegraph Sport this week, Manchester United are interested in West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes. The Portugal international, 21, joined from Southampton last summer and has made considerable progress since his £38m move.
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen, 29, has been the club’s most consistent performer over recent seasons – reaching double figures for goals in five consecutive campaigns – and has a track record that will tempt clubs if he is available.
Tottenham
It was a big weekend for Tottenham after they won at Aston Villa to pull themselves out of the relegation zone. But they are by no means out of danger and their players would be targeted should they drop into the Championship.
Cristian Romero, 28, has been monitored by some of the big spenders in the Champions League. The World Cup winner is out with a knee injury and that could complicate a move if his recovery drags out over the summer.
Nottingham Forest
Mathematically, there are still plenty of teams involved in the relegation zone but the likes of Leeds are almost certainly safe. They have 43 points and too much distance between themselves and the bottom three. Nottingham Forest also took a giant stride towards safety with their win over Chelsea on Monday. However, England midfielder Elliot Anderson has been on the shortlist at Manchester United and Manchester City.
Wolves and Burnley
Wolves were the first club to have their relegation confirmed. João Gomes formed a partnership with André in central midfield and both Brazilians have shown they are Premier League class. Czech Republic centre-back Ladislav Krejci is also expected to attract interest.
At Burnley, French centre-back Maxime Estève, 23, is seen as a player with good potential, while their top scorer this season is Zian Flemming.