West Ham tipped for Watford transfer chase as Man Utd eye Crysencio Summerville | OneFootball

West Ham could be seeking a replacement for Crysencio Summerville this summer

West Ham are facing the prospect of a busy summer following their relegation from the Premier League, with a significant rebuilding process now awaiting ahead of the club's return to the Championship.

The Hammers will be keen to build a team capable of earning automatic promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt.

However, a number of key players are facing interest from elsewhere, so the squad could look quite different by the time the transfer market closes on 1 September.

Mateus Fernandes is being linked with a move away from the London Stadium, and Crysencio Summerville’s future is also up in the air.

Manchester United have become the latest club to emerge with an interest in the Dutch international, who scored in the nation’s opening World Cup game against Japan on Sunday.

It’s been claimed that the Irons are looking for £50 million for the winger, who joined from Leeds United two years ago in a deal worth £25 million.

West Ham tipped to pursue Watford star

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Former football scout Mick Brown has claimed that West Ham are among the clubs eyeing a move for Watford’s Nestory Irankunda.

He believes that the East London outfit will pursue the Australian as a replacement for Summerville, but that they won’t be the only team taking a close eye on the forward’s performances in North America at the World Cup this summer.

"By all accounts, Irankunda has had a very strong season in the Championship," said Brown, via Football Insider.

"That's the type of player West Ham are going to have to look at now, because it will be difficult for them to compete with Premier League clubs for top signings.

"They're at risk of losing a couple of wingers, so it's a position they will need to strengthen, and he is already showing he can perform at that level.

"His performances at the World Cup will do him no harm either, he scored a big goal in front of the world, so that's bound to attract interest from potential suitors.”

While Brown has warned against signing players based just on their World Cup performances, he believes West Ham have been keeping a close eye on Irankunda in the Championship as well.

"I always say, you can't sign a player based on what you see at the World Cup, but West Ham will have been watching Irankunda and how he has performed for Watford.

"Then, they can use his performances for Australia to back up what they already know, whether that's positive or negative.

"West Ham won't be the only club aware of him, I'm sure, but it could be a move that works for both him and the player if they can agree a deal with Watford.

"There's always a lot of upheaval at Watford with the players and the manager, so West Ham could take advantage of that now."

Irankunda joined Watford last summer from Bayern Munich after he enjoyed a spell on loan with Swiss side Grasshopper.

He proved an important part of the side at Vicarage Road, contributing four goals and four assists from 40 appearances.

Albeit he only started on 22 occasions, as the Hornets finished 16th in the table in a tumultuous campaign for the club.

The 20-year-old has a contract with the Championship side until 2030, giving Watford plenty of leverage in any upcoming transfer negotiations.

However, a possible £50 million sale of Summerville should provide West Ham with the funds to get active in the transfer market.

Fernandes has also been linked with an £80 million move, with Man United again emerging as a possible option.

The transfer window officially opened on Monday, and clubs will be looking to bolster their squads with the fixture list set to be released on 25 June.

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Nestory Irankunda could be a smart replacement for Crysencio Summerville

Irankunda impressed in his first year in the Championship, showing that he is a real threat in the final third, scoring and creating chances for others.

So it’s no surprise that clubs are circling given he is still only 20-years-of-age, and thus has the room to improve even further.

He would be a natural replacement for Summerville, as the two provide a similar profile to their respective clubs.

If the Dutchman is sold for £50 million, then a move for Irankunda would be a smart piece of business to replace him, particularly with their sights set on a promotion push next season.