West Ham can replace Crysencio Summerville with Leeds United man after fresh snub | OneFootball

West Ham United need to replace Crysencio Summerville this summer following his move to Al Hilal, and Leeds United could have the answer...

When West Ham United signed Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United in the summer of 2024, there was a feeling they had secured one of the Championship's brightest attacking talents before he truly established himself.

Despite their relegation from the Premier League, Crysencio Summerville scored or assisted 10 times in his final 19 appearances for West Ham United in all competitions. Prior to that, the Dutchman had been instrumental for Leeds IUnited despite their failure to secure promotion.

After his inspired form for Leeds, he earned a deserved return to the top flight. It was a campaign packed with goals, assists, and match-winning moments. He improved last season after a mixed first year at the club but his spell in east London has ultimately proved to be relatively short-lived.

Following the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League, Summerville has now completed a lucrative move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal, leaving a sizeable hole in their attacking department. That said, the finances involved have balanced the books for West Ham, with David Ornstein of The Athletic revealing £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons had been agreed.

Largie Ramazani would be an excellent Crysencio Summerville replacement for West Ham

Replacing a player of his quality and stylistic profile will not be straightforward, but there is a familiar option that should already be on West Ham's radar. Following Summerville scoring 21 and assisting 10 in 49 appearances for Leeds, they moved to sign a couple of wingers that summer.

Manor Solomon replaced much of Georginio Rutter's creativity but it was Largie Ramazani that came in as the most similar profile to the Dutchman that summer. In the end, he did not enjoy the same level of impact at Leeds that Summerville managed before him, but the Belgian winger possesses many of the same qualities that made his predecessor such an exciting talent.

Direct running, outstanding acceleration, excellent close control, and a willingness to attack defenders one-on-one are all hallmarks of his game. He also likes to operate from the left to cut in and take shots off his right, scoring a fair few goals in this way during Leeds' promotion campaign of 2024/25.

Leeds recruited Ramazani from Spanish side Almeria in 2024 with the difficult task of replacing Summerville already hanging over him. That is never an easy burden for any player, particularly one adapting to the physical demands and relentless schedule of the Championship.

Injuries and fierce competition for places also made it difficult for him to establish his best rhythm under Daniel Farke. However, there have still been enough flashes to suggest there is a highly talented footballer waiting to be unlocked in the right environment. He scored six and assisted two that season, but that came in under 800 minutes.

On top of that remarkable ratio per minute, Ramazani remains capable of stretching defences with his speed and producing moments of quality in transition. Those attributes are remarkably similar to those that helped Summerville flourish for Leeds before earning his Premier League move.

West Ham should therefore consider repeating the trick Leeds attempted a couple of years ago. Rather than searching for a like-for-like replacement elsewhere, they could turn to the very player Leeds identified as Summerville's long-term successor. Jarrod Bowen remaining is an incredible boost but a winger with pace for the left flank is certainly required.

Largie Ramazani is a wanted man this summer

Financially, the move also appears realistic. Following Summerville's high-value departure, West Ham should have little difficulty meeting Leeds' asking price if the Whites are prepared to sanction a sale. Ramazani spent the last year on loan with Valencia after falling further out of favour, but he still managed eight goal involvements in just under 1500 minutes.

Equally important, the Hammers are likely to be in a stronger position than several of Ramazani's other reported admirers when it comes to personal terms. Valencia may well be keen on a reunion, but West Ham can certainly beat many of the top flight clubs in other leagues in terms of his wages.

For Ramazani himself, the opportunity could be equally appealing. After struggling to cement a regular starting place at Elland Road, a fresh start on a permanent basis would allow him to showcase the talent that convinced Leeds to invest in him in the first place. West Ham would be giving him the chance to become the club's next exciting left-sided attacker.

As for Ramazani's future at Elland Road, the writing appears to be very much on the wall. Leeds fans have often bemoaned Farke's stance on the wide-man, who has seldom received ample opportunity under the German's watch, but the reality is that they're not a match and that's not going to change at this stage.

Indeed, Ramazani was notably left out of the travelling squad for Leeds' ongoing pre-season tour of the United States, which shows exactly where he finds himself in Farke's thinking.

While the player would be stepping into a vacancy created by someone whose career path has already closely mirrored his own, he has showcased that he is deserving of more of a starting berth than a rotational one. Norwich City have reportedly registered interest in Ramazani in this window, but West Ham would be better placed than any other Championship club to secure his services.

It would not be a risk-free signing, but it is one that makes considerable sense. West Ham need another dynamic winger following Summerville's departure, and Ramazani could finally fulfil the promise that once made him one of Europe's most exciting young wide players in Spain, including scoring at the Bernabeu for Real Madrid.