A leading journalist Leeds United journalist has responded after it was claimed a deal is yet to be agreed with West Ham for Crysencio Summerville.
There is a reason Hammers fans often refuse to believe a transfer is done until they see the player holding up a West Ham shirt.
Many allowed themselves to start dreaming, though, when West Ham’s move for Leeds United star Crysencio Summerville developed rapidly over the last 24 hours.
West Ham’s interest in Leeds’ brilliant attacker is nothing new. But it suddenly progressed from a lowball opening bid to advanced talks this week.
The Hammers made Summerville a top target as they hunt for a new left-sided attacker.
Claims of interest from the likes of Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool meant a deal looked like a pipedream for West Ham.
Particularly after reports claimed there was a £15-20m gap in valuation between West Ham and Leeds United.
The likes of Sky Sports reported a fee and payment structure had been agreed, though.
Then Leeds dropped a major hint a deal with West Ham was done when they made their own bid for a replacement.
Reporter sparks fears over West Ham move for Summerville
The situation progressed further yesterday with the 22-year-old Dutchman reportedly in London for a West Ham medical.
A top club insider even confirmed what West Ham are actually paying Leeds for Summerville.
But then came the – by now almost inevitable – bump in the road for West Ham’s hopes of getting the Leeds man in the door.
Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg took to his official X account overnight claiming there were two big issues with the move.
Firstly, that the length of contract had not been agreed between West Ham and Summerville. And secondly that the agreement on the final transfer fee with Leeds had not been completely agreed.
There has also been speculation that late agent demands might scupper the deal.
Top Leeds journalist on claims West Ham deal could collapse
The news has sparked disbelief and anger among some Hammers fans on social media.
Now a top Leeds journalist has addressed claims the deal with West Ham for Summerville could collapse.
Graham Smyth is the chief football writer at the Yorkshire Evening Post covering Leeds United.
If there’s anything Smyth doesn’t know about the goings-on at Leeds, it’s probably not worth knowing.
So West Ham fans will love what he has had to say on the deal.
Because Smyth has confirmed Summerville is expected to sign for West Ham later on Friday.
And he says Leeds United now ‘face the significant task of replacing his goals, assists and talismanic status’.
‘Deal expected to be done later on Friday’
“Leeds United expect the sale of Crysencio Summerville to West Ham United to be completed by Friday evening,” Smyth reports for the YEP.
“Summerville is due to complete his medical on Friday and put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Premier League side, leaving Leeds with the job of replacing his goals, assists and the talismanic energy he showed so often in what was his first full campaign of regular senior football.”
This is great news and tallies with Hammers News’ exclusive West Ham transfer update this morning.
A club spokesman revealed: “Nothing is agreed, but we’re close on a few.”
Summerville could be a revelation for the Hammers.
Julen Lopetegui wants to use Lucas Paqueta in the middle along with Mohammed Kudus, who wants to play in a central attacking midfield role.
With Summerville on the left, Jarrod Bowen on the right and a new striker down the middle, West Ham are starting to look a very serious side indeed.
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