Aston Villa insider: My sources tell me club are chasing Crysencio Summerville and another forward
Aston Villa are keeping close tabs on Crysencio Summerville as they accelerate plans to sign a game-changing wide player.
That is according to ex-Villa senior scout Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about what his sources have told him about the club's plans to recruit a new attacker.
Summerville, 24, is widely expected to leave West Ham following their relegation to the Championship, and is catching significant attention at the World Cup.
The forward has scored for the Netherlands against both Japan and Sweden, and will likely start Saturday's game against Tunisia.
The former Leeds United man plays on the left of the attack, where Morgan Rogers is usually situated for Unai Emery's team.
With the depth behind him lacking following the departure of Jadon Sancho, and the possibility that Rogers leaves in the coming months, Summerville would appear to be a sensible target.
Bryan King tips Crysencio Summerville for Aston Villa move
Summerville is under contract at West Ham until 2029, with an option for an additional year.
However, the Hammers are understood to have set an asking price of around £50million for the forward, although that figure may have grown in recent weeks.
Summerville has been superb at the World Cup, and good performances in the knockout stages could attract all types of potential suitors.
"He [Summerville] plays in a position where I know Villa are looking for a wide player," King told Football Insider.
"He's player that Villa would be interested in, because I know they are, and the boy [Femi] Azeez was mentioned from Millwall. And I would certainly put Summerville into that kind of category.
"He's quick. He can play either right or left side. Likes to come inside. He gives the team width." He added: "He's a player that interests me, Summerville. Again, he's at a good age."
Summerville's latest quotes on West Ham future
There is a general expectation that Summerville will leave West Ham this summer, as there is in the cases of Mateus Fernandes, Jarrod Bowen and El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Yet until the Irons' asking price is met, they are under no obligation to sanction any exit for the winger.
"That relegation was tough, for the club and for the players," Summerville told Algemeen Dagblad at the start of the month.
"Such a beautiful and big club as West Ham United doesn’t belong in the Championship. I just hope we can return to the Premier League as soon as possible. It just wasn’t good enough this season.”