Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Wed 8 April 2026 17:15, UK

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Aston Villa look increasingly unlikely to sign Jadon Sancho permanently this summer as they plot a move for West Ham star Crysencio Summerville.

Sancho has not hit the heights expected of him at Villa this season after joining on loan from Man United last summer.

He has found some form in their last few games, with assists against Lille and West Ham, but doubts have been raised over whether they would look to sign him permanently.

Reports have continued to claim that Unai Emery is open to the possibility, however, especially with Sancho set to be available on a free transfer as his United contract expires.

Villa’s transfer plans are set to focus on bolstering their wing options, but their interest in Summerville surely shows that they are not set to pursue a permanent move for Sancho.

Crysencio Summerville interest shows that Villa are exploring alternatives to Jadon Sancho

Sources have told Football Insider that Villa have set their sights on Summerville ahead of the summer window following his strong showings for West Ham.

The Hammers may well be forced to let the Dutchman leave this summer if they are relegated from the Premier League.

He has been a revelation for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side and would clearly be a smart addition to Villa’s attacking ranks this summer.

Summerville has shown much more promise in the final third than Sancho, all while playing in the same left wing position this season.

With Villa clearly exploring alternatives to the Man United loanee, it seems pretty unlikely that he is signed permanently ahead of next term.

Sancho is rated by Emery, but is also running out of time to prove his worth after suffering a shoulder injury in a recent friendly that could keep him sidelined for the next three weeks.

What has Emery said about signing Sancho permanently?

Emery’s latest comments around the 25-year-old show how he wants him to do well, but he has not quite shown enough to be worth signing this summer.

He would, of course, cost a lot less than Summerville to sign initially, but would also be asking for much bigger wages and signing-on fee than the West Ham man.

The Villa boss insisted in February that he is an admirer of Sancho, but could not reveal whether the club were planning to offer a permanent contract.

He said: “He (Sancho) will need another contract, and maybe it could be here. If he plays his best football, we will want him. But also other teams could be involved in the interest for him.

“The first part of the season was not enough. He was working and trying, but not achieving the performance we needed. Now he is getting better. He is getting the challenge for him and us.”