The inevitable has happened. After an impressive end to the 2025-26 season and an even more impressive World Cup campaign, Crysencio Summerville has gone and left the London Stadium. It was Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia that eventually did the deed, signing the Dutch winger for an eye-popping fee topping £70 million including add-ons (as reported by The Athletic). An expected goodbye, but by no means one mired in bad blood; here’s hoping the 24-year-old can rip up some trees with his new club.
But what next for the Irons? In Summerville’s wake, there is an unfilled chasm on the left side of West Ham’s attack, a chasm that needs to be filled up as soon as possible. But it is also a chasm that needs to be filled precisely, with strict parameters in mind. Summerville was a uniquely well-rounded player, so it will be hard to find an exact match for his skill set.
Three guiding principles must be kept in mind on this recruitment search:
- The player must provide a significant goal threat, as Jarrod Bowen does on the right; an able supplement to whoever the club brings in at center-forward.
- The player cannot be an absolute zero defensively; as was the case with Summerville, the Hammers’ new left-sided attacker must be willing to track back and aid with wing coverage.
- The player should be self-sufficient on the ball, someone who can dance past opponents to create passing lanes and shots for themselves. In essence, whoever the guy is should be able to dribble the ball pretty well.
With these anchors in mind, here are 4 players who could make a name for themselves as West Ham’s next star winger.
Hamza Igamane, Lille:
His name has been bandied about since the arrival of Nils Koppen, and I’ve even previously mentioned him myself as a potential target for West Ham. Well, I’m doing it here again. Because, my word, he would be an excellent addition.
The 23-year-old Moroccan’s numbers speak for themselves. As a super sub for Lille last season, he notched five goals and an assist in just 13 matches; his per-90 numbers were also nothing short of astonishing, with nearly one full expected goal involvement per 90 minutes. He’s a workmanlike defender, a menacing and direct dribbler, and a scything passer both in the half spaces and from the wings. Technically, Igamane has the works, and he’s also versatile enough to play through the center or on the right, if needed.
It’s a punchy shout, but if it’s on the table, the Irons should pull the trigger. This is despite a long-term injury that has kept Igamane out since early 2026 (and could keep him sidelined until late September); he’s just that good. Koppen has recruited the player before during his time at Rangers, and repeating the trick on British shores would be an exceptionally shrewd move.
Thelo Aasgaard, Rangers:
Another overtly Koppen-friendly option. Nils was no longer with Rangers by the time the Scottish club secured the Norwegian Aasgaard’s services in July of 2025. Still, the new Director of Recruitment tends to keep the lines to his former employers open. Certainly, Koppen is aware of the 24-year-old winger, a player equally comfortable on either flank, who recently scored in the World Cup for his country (albeit in a defeat to France).
In a fairly disappointing Rangers campaign last year, Aasgaard was very good; he notched 11 goal involvements in 33 games and was easily the best dribbler in the side. In terms of his profile, he’s probably the most similar to Summerville himself – an imposing ball-carrier with a devilish shot cutting inside from the flank, with high defensive energy and serviceable passing nous to boot. He’s perhaps less comfortable in the deep half-spaces, but he is certainly a more natural box presence, buoyed by a tall, muscular frame.
Aasgaard would not be the most eye-popping option, no; but he’d be a serviceable stopgap in a transition year, a high-floor, cheap option who would undoubtedly be productive in the second tier. Also, his full name is “Thelonious,” like the jazz musician. Pretty cool.
Gaoussou Diakite, Red Bull Salzburg:
A lesser-known prospect, but one with an impressively high ceiling. Malian international Diakite’s preferred role is as a second striker, but he is equally comfortable driving inside onto his favored right foot from the left. A Red Bull Salzburg player, he spent last season on loan at Swiss outfit Lausanne, where he racked up 10 goals and six assists in all competitions through around 40 games. This was, it must be acknowledged, his first season in top-flight European football… but there is already enough evidence to suggest he could establish himself in a significant division.
Diakite is, similarly to Summerville, a very well-rounded player – rather impressive at his 20 years of age. His inside goal threat is analogous to Crysencio's, and his ability to link up play perhaps eclipses that of the Dutchman; he averaged more successful passes per 90 minutes than any other player of his position in the Swiss top flight last season. Certainly, this is not a player who struggles to get involved in the build-up. He is also a willing presser, and a high-volume (and efficient) dribbler.
Of course, there may be an adjustment period for Diakite if he were to arrive on British shores. But that’s not to say he would be an absolute zero from the get-go; Gaoussou would be a valuable contributor to a promotion push, and beyond.
Mohamed Alì Zoma, Nurnberg:
Perhaps the most obscure shout here, but Alì Zoma is a diamond waiting in the rough for anyone brave enough to take a chance on him. Born in Italy and of both Burkinabé and Ivorian descent, the 22-year-old spent last season turning screws for his side in the German second tier, where he nearly hit the 20-goal involvement mark as a left-winger/second striker hybrid. He was linked to clubs in Ligue 1 earlier this summer, but if the Irons want to make use of the full extent of their financial might, they could beat everyone else to the punch.
The player is certainly akin to Summerville on the ball. Diminutive but powerful on the run, Alì Zoma is a hair-raising counter-attacking weapon, seldom losing the ball as he carries it. He’s equally comfortable playing deep or off the last defender, always finding his way into good positions to shoot himself or play in teammates (he possesses a killer final ball). He’s not as energetic out of possession, but he still finds a way to notch timely interceptions in the opponent’s half from time to time. And his excellent spatial awareness allows him to deputize on the right flank in times of need.
Just two years ago, Alì Zoma was playing in the Italian third tier; this is a player who has flourished after a divisional jump before. He’s going to be cheap; he’s already proven to be productive in a relatively competitive league, and he’s got most of his career ahead of him. This would be a shrewd piece of business.
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