Roma’s summer recruitment drive has suffered a damaging double blow after attempts to sign Crysencio Summerville and Alejandro Garnacho collapsed, leaving the Serie A club scrambling for alternative attacking options.
The Giallorossi had positioned themselves to secure both wide forwards, but superior financial power from Saudi Arabia and more flexible contract structures in England have forced a complete restart of their strategy.
Al-Hilal hijack Summerville deal
Summerville appeared destined for the Italian capital after Roma agreed a €50 million fee with West Ham and proposed personal terms of €4.5 million per season. The Netherlands international had reportedly accepted these terms, placing the transfer on the verge of completion.
However, Al-Hilal disrupted the negotiations at the final stage. The Saudi Pro League club submitted a €75 million offer to West Ham and tabled a contract for Summerville worth €16 million net annually until 2031. This package proved impossible for either the player or his club to refuse.
Garnacho chooses Villa over Roma
While economics dictated the Summerville outcome, Garnacho’s rejection stemmed from contractual mechanics. The Manchester United winger allowed Roma to remain in contention until the closing stages of the window, but ultimately elected to join Aston Villa.
The decisive factor was the structure of the proposed move. Roma’s offer comprised a loan with an obligation to buy that would trigger only if the Argentine featured in 60 per cent of matches. Villa presented significantly easier conditions, removing such stringent appearance triggers and offering a clearer pathway to a permanent transfer.
Roma left searching
The dual setback leaves sporting director Tony D’Amico facing a depleted options list. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has repeatedly stressed the need for reinforcements since pre-season began, and his frustration has mounted following the recent departure of defender Zeki Çelik to Juventus.
With the new campaign approaching, Roma must identify a winger capable of supporting Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé without breaching their strict wage ceiling. Ajax’s Mika Godts remains among the candidates under active consideration as the club works to satisfy Gasperini’s demands before the window closes.