Aston Villa 'discuss' West Ham transfer raid but one issue emerges | OneFootball

Aston Villa have discussed a transfer raid of West Ham United but an issue has emerged over one of their transfer targets...

West Ham United are a club looking to rebuild in the Championship, with numerous key players expected to depart after their relegation with 39 points.

Only Sunderland (1996/97), Bolton Wanderers (1997/98), and West Ham United (2002/03) have been relegated with more than 39 points in a 38-game Premier League season. What that usually indicates is that a team possessed more quality than the average relegated side.

Combined, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley, West Ham's relegated counterparts, only accrued three more points than West Ham's total. Reaching that tally requires a significant number of wins and competitive performances across the campaign, suggesting those squads contained players capable of operating at a respectable top-flight level at least.

As a result, clubs that go down with that many points often find themselves vulnerable in the transfer market. Relegation inevitably brings financial pressures, while individual players may be reluctant to spend a season in the second tier. That's only natural, but it means teams that perform relatively well before going down are therefore often at greater risk of losing key assets.

How Aston Villa feel about signing West Ham United's Crysencio Summerville

Rival clubs recognise the quality that helped them accumulate such a respectable points total despite relegation. In attack, West Ham have the likes of England international and club legend Jarrod Bowen, Callum Wilson closing in on 100 Premier League goals, and also Taty Castellanos after scoring seven in 19 starts.

In all competitions, Bowen collected 23 goal involvements with 11 goals and 12 assists overall. That will obviously have interest, while his body of work in the Premier League has been consistent for many years now. He is just one of a few who are most likely to depart in the summer transfer window.

Matheus Fernandes is perhaps the player that can be the biggest win financially, despite the midfielder suffering relegation in back-to-back seasons. He is a player with huge potential and the highest market value in the West Ham squad.

However, the only player to reach double figures for goals and assists with Bowen is Crysencio Summerville. The Dutchman hit seven goals and three assists overall, which is why a number of top flight clubs will be eyeing a deal.

According to The Athletic, in the hours following their relegation on May 24, West Ham "must" raise £150 million in player sales to help combat dropping into the Championship. Now, Summerville has been linked with a move to Aston Villa to help cover that figure.

Per the latest from The Athletic, Jon Rowe, Karim Adeyemi, and Summerville are all being discussed by Villa. Summerville has been "explored" but he is likely to be more expensive than Rowe. Harvey Barnes, like Summerville, is also described as requiring a fee that would be "at the top end of what Villa would be able to afford."

How much Crysencio Summerville might cost this summer

Realistically, West Ham face an enormous challenge to keep hold of Summerville following relegation. The winger has already shown he can dominate Championship football, winning the Championship Player of the Season award at just 22 years old after producing outstanding numbers in terms of goals and assists for Leeds United.

Since then, he has further enhanced his reputation at a higher level, making it difficult to imagine him spending another season in the second tier. Clubs across Europe know exactly what he is capable of, while his age means there is still significant room for development.

Does 15 goal involvements in 56 West Ham appearances stand out? No. Does 18 in 84 Premier League games? No. However, he has played in weaker teams and could benefit from more quality around him for a team like Villa. They will not be the only Premier League side with interest.

Financial considerations will also come into play, with West Ham needing to balance the books after relegation. Even if they wanted to retain his quality, ultimately Summerville is the type of player ambitious top-flight clubs target. He should be one of the big financial wins for West Ham