Donyell Malen

Crysencio Summerville is on the verge of joining Roma. The club is awaiting West Ham's final approval, with Roma's latest offer of €47 million plus bonuses bringing the two clubs significantly closer to a deal. Gasperini has long sought a left-winger, and the Dutch forward can also operate on the right flank—a versatility he demonstrated at the World Cup, where he scored two goals in four matches. Born on 30 October 2001, the same day Daniele De Rossi made his Roma debut against Anderlecht, Summerville has already agreed terms with the Giallorossi. His football heroes are Ronaldinho and fellow Dutchman Seedorf, who shares Surinamese heritage. At Roma he will reunite with his friend and international teammate Donyell Malen, with whom he has already spoken in recent days. Summerville rose through Feyenoord's youth academy and was part of the generation that won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in England. His professional career has been turbulent: a 2018 incident involving a fight at the club led to loan moves and psychological support before Alan Pardew offered him a fresh start in England in 2021. At Leeds, he registered 23 goals in 75 appearances across the Premier League and Championship. He joined West Ham in 2024 and is now set to arrive in Serie A following Roma's interest dating back to January.

Roma is on the verge of signing Crysencio Summerville from West Ham, with negotiations entering their closing phase. The club has submitted a fresh offer of 47 million euros plus bonuses and demanded a definitive response from West Ham by end of day, following weeks of talks. Summerville has already agreed personal terms on a contract worth 4.2 million euros plus bonuses, and sources report the remaining gap between Roma's bid and West Ham's asking price is not considered prohibitive. Aston Villa and Al Hilal have been cited as potential rival bidders, prompting Roma to accelerate its push. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Summerville as the ideal fit to complete his attacking trident alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala. The Dutch winger, who plays on the left with his right foot, offers creativity and double-digit goal output suited to Gasperini's system. Summerville would become Roma's most expensive signing in history, surpassing the transfer fees paid for Patrik Schick, Tammy Abraham, and Artem Dovbyk. A private agreement between Summerville and West Ham stipulates that in the event of the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League, the player could depart for 45 million pounds. The deal is reported to be worth 47 million euros fixed plus 4–5 million in bonuses, bringing the total close to the 45 million pounds outlined in the gentlemen's agreement. Gasperini has been seeking this profile for fourteen months and aims to secure two wingers overall, with potential loan solutions explored later in the transfer window.

Crysencio Summerville is poised to join Roma in a club-record transfer worth nearly €47 million plus commissions from West Ham, with the deal expected to be completed within hours. The Dutch winger, born in 2001, will sign a contract worth approximately €4 million per season. The transfer, conducted by Tony D'Amico, was unlocked by a release clause in Summerville's West Ham contract. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has been seeking a high-quality, explosive winger since his arrival, and Summerville fits the profile he identified from day one. The signing represents Roma's most significant outlay in the club's history and aligns with the wage structure recently agreed by the squad. Gasperini will hope Summerville can complement fellow winger Donyell Malen and follow a similar trajectory of development to that experienced by another player under the Grugliasco-born coach.

Donyell Malen has commented on an uncanny physical likeness between himself and Samuel, a Roma supporter who has been asked for photos, videos and autographs since the Dutch winger arrived in the capital. Responding to a video posted by Radio Romanista on Instagram, Malen said: "Twin brother!" — drawing attention to the remarkable similarity that has captured fans' attention. The number 14 is currently enjoying his post-World Cup break and awaits his return to action under Gasperini at Roma. The comparison has become a talking point among supporters, with some jokingly warning against confusing the two around the city.

Artem Dovbyk has begun the 2026–27 season at Roma following a lengthy injury layoff that sidelined him from February onwards. The Ukrainian striker was among the squad members who reported for pre-season training at Trigoria, where he appeared in a friendly against the Primavera and scored twice, with a third goal ruled out for a marginal offside decision. Although he was booed by some supporters reflecting his difficult two seasons at the club, Dovbyk now has an opportunity to rehabilitate his Roma career under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Dovbyk arrived in summer 2024 from Girona for a total fee of around €36 million, making him one of the most expensive signings in Roma's history. His first season yielded a respectable 17 goals across all competitions in 45 appearances, but the 2025–26 campaign proved far more disappointing, yielding only three Serie A goals in 14 appearances and one assist in European competition before his injury. At 189 cm tall, Dovbyk possesses a distinctly different physical profile from primary striker Donyell Malen and could operate as a relief option or even alongside the Dutch forward in certain tactical moments. His substantial wages make a departure difficult to arrange, but if he remains, Gasperini can deploy him as a reserve to provide cover and potentially relieve pressure on the player.

Roma's push to sign Summerville from West Ham dominated Roman radio debate, with negotiations reportedly moving toward a deal worth 40–45 million euros. Francesco Balzani reported that talks between Roma and West Ham are progressing well, with a potential agreement expected between that evening and the following day. He cautioned that while Aston Villa poses a theoretical threat, no formal approach had been made at that stage, and timing is crucial: closing the deal quickly eliminates risk, but delay invites competition. Opinion split sharply on the player's merits and tactical fit. Piero Torri expressed enthusiasm for a three-man attacking unit of Summerville on the left, Paulo Dybala on the right, and Donyell Malen centrally, saying: "Summerville a sinistra, Dybala a destra e Malen al centro: con questo tridente non devi mai alzare il pallone, ma per il resto comincio a sentire un certo piacere molto simile all'orgasmo." Others, including former striker Roberto Pruzzo, voiced scepticism, arguing Summerville lacks the decisive quality required and suggesting Roma should pursue alternatives. Claudio Ranieri's unsuccessful pursuit of Mason Greenwood last summer weighed heavily on radio commentary; multiple voices urged caution about repeating that failed chapter. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's measured stance at his press conference—neither dismissing market challenges nor criticising the club's financial strategy—drew careful analysis from Antonio Felici, who noted the manager's tactical alignment with the board on wage discipline.