Fulham join chase for West Ham’s Summerville as Xhaka stays at Sunderland

Fulham have entered the race to sign Crysencio Summerville from West Ham, with the winger expected to leave the Hammers this summer following their relegation from the Premier League.

According to the Guardian, Chelsea and Manchester United have also been monitoring the 24-year-old Netherlands international, though it remains unclear whether Summerville will earn a switch to one of the top flight’s leading clubs.

Sources suggest the most concrete interest may in fact come from an ambitious club outside the elite bracket. Fulham need to strengthen their wide areas after losing Harry Wilson, who is set to join Leeds on a free transfer, and have added Summerville to their shortlist of targets.

West Ham braced for exit

Summerville impressed for the Netherlands at the World Cup, scoring twice in four matches, although he failed to convert his spot kick as Ronald Koeman’s side lost on penalties to Morocco in the last 32.

The former Leeds winger was also among West Ham’s standout performers last season, scoring seven goals in ten games after Christmas to help boost the club’s survival hopes, though injuries have interrupted his time in east London. He missed much of the 2024-25 campaign with a hamstring problem and a further chunk of last season with a calf issue.

West Ham accept they have little chance of retaining Summerville and have already banked funds by selling Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham for a reported £85million. The club hope that money raised from Fernandes and Summerville will ease the pressure to sell captain Jarrod Bowen, who is attracting interest from a number of Premier League sides, as Nuno Espírito Santo looks to build a squad capable of an immediate promotion push.

Real Madrid deny Enzo Fernández interest

Elsewhere, Chelsea will have taken note of a statement from Real Madrid distancing themselves from reported interest in Enzo Fernández. The Argentinian midfielder, dropped by Chelsea last season after admitting he would like to live in Madrid, had been linked with a £120million move away from Stamford Bridge.

Real Madrid’s statement read: “In light of the reports and statements that have appeared in recent days regarding an alleged interest from Real Madrid in the player Enzo Fernández, the club wishes to state that it has not made any effort, either direct or indirect, to sign the aforementioned player and, likewise, has no intention of undertaking such an operation.”

Xhaka commits to Sunderland

One midfielder who will not be heading to Chelsea is Granit Xhaka, who is set to remain at Sunderland after talks with senior figures at the Stadium of Light this week. The 33-year-old, currently captaining Switzerland at the World Cup, had appeared open to a reunion with former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, but Sunderland rejected an £8million bid from the London club last week.

Chelsea were reportedly told the midfielder was not for sale “at any price” and appear reluctant to return with a significantly improved offer for a player who joined Sunderland from Leverkusen in a deal potentially worth £17.5million last summer.

Read more: Xhaka set to stay at Sunderland as Chelsea bid rejected