By Bilal Ahmed
Summerville’s Potential Saudi Transfer
West Ham have reportedly reached an agreement for the sale of Crysencio Summerville to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. The fee for the 24-year-old is understood to be £68 million. This figure represents a significant increase compared to the bid previously reported from Serie A side Roma. Both Manchester United and Aston Villa were also said to have shown interest in Summerville.
Summerville has three years remaining on his current contract at the London Stadium. His potential departure has been anticipated since West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League in May. While United and Villa reportedly aimed to keep him in the top flight, Roma were believed to be closest to securing a deal before the Saudi club’s higher offer. Summerville is set to undergo a medical and pending final authorisations is set to sign a long-term deal.
Garnacho and Duran’s Moves
In other transfer news, Aston Villa have reportedly submitted a loan bid for Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho. The deal could include an obligation to make the move permanent. The 22-year-old has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge after a poor first season following his move from Manchester United, during which he failed to significantly impact the team’s fortunes, and it is understood the player is eager to depart. Garnacho did not report for pre-season training earlier in July, with both parties agreeing it was best for him to remain away while his future is resolved. Chelsea are understood to be seeking around £42.5 million for any permanent transfer of the winger. Clubs in the Premier League, Italy, other parts of Europe, and Saudi Arabia have reportedly expressed interest in Garnacho.
Meanwhile, former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has joined Benfica on a season-long loan from Al-Nassr. The agreement includes an option for a permanent transfer. The 22-year-old Colombia international, who was a teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, will spend the 2026-27 season with the Portuguese club. Benfica has paid €6.1 million for his services and negotiated a €30 million option to buy. Duran expressed his gratitude upon arrival, stating, “I’m grateful to God for getting to this team. It’s the biggest club in Portugal. I’m here to win. I’m very happy to be here.”
Duran joined Al-Nassr in a transfer from Villa. He played in Europe last season, with loan spells at Fenerbahçe and Zenit St. Petersburg. At Fenerbahçe, he scored five goals and provided two assists in 21 games during the first half of the 2025-26 season. In the second half, he scored two goals in nine matches for Zenit St. Petersburg. Duran’s career has seen him play in six different countries before arriving in Portugal. He is the fourth signing for Benfica during the current close season, following centre-backs Gabriel Índio and Clément Lenglet, and Polish winger Jakub Kaminski.
Other Notable Transfers
Bournemouth maintain that Alex Scott is not for sale this summer, despite the midfielder rejecting a new contract. Scott, who was part of England‘s training camp in Miami before missing out on the World Cup squad, has two years remaining on his current terms. His impressive 2025-26 campaign, where he scored four times in 39 appearances, attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United. However, Bournemouth’s position on the 22-year-old remains unchanged, with sources indicating he is currently considered unsellable. The club, set to play continental football in the Europa League for the first time this season, expects Scott to be part of the squad under new boss Marco Rose for the upcoming campaign. Bournemouth remains hopeful of securing a new deal for the former Bristol City youngster.
Ipswich have made several signings, including Dutch goalkeeper Kayne van Oevelen from Volendam. The 22-year-old joins the newly promoted club on a five-year deal for a reported fee of four million euros. Ipswich also completed the signing of Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu from Leicester. Additionally, they have agreed a deal to sign Japan forward Daizen Maeda from Celtic, with an additional amount contingent on the club remaining in the Premier League and his appearances. Maeda, who played for Japan at the World Cup, is set to join the squad’s pre-season training camp in La Manga, Spain.
Former Chelsea and Brighton full-back Tariq Lamptey has joined QPR on a free transfer after leaving Serie A club Fiorentina. Lamptey, who represented Ghana at the 2022 World Cup and has earned 11 caps, made 122 appearances for Brighton before moving to Italy last September. Ireland defender Matt Doherty has signed for Sheffield United on an initial one-year deal, with an option for a further year, after leaving Wolves. The 34-year-old, who has made almost 400 appearances for Wolves, won the last of his 53 caps in the World Cup qualification opener against Hungary last September. Finally, Elijah Upson has signed a professional contract with Arsenal after deciding to leave Tottenham. The 18-year-old centre-back, son of former Gunners and England defender Matthew Upson, had been in Spurs’ academy and reportedly received an offer to stay after his scholarship contract ended in June.
Read Also
Source: irishexaminer.com
