Crysencio Summerville’s personal trainer Ivandro Monteiro has revealed Manchester United and Liverpool were among the clubs that wanted to sign him in the summer window.
The Netherlands international ended his two-year spell at West Ham United for Al-Hilal in July. The Hammers secured a €70m deal which includes €65m in fixed fee.
Last season, he managed seven goals and five assists from 34 matches for the Hammers and the majority of them were from this year. West Ham dropped to the Championship while he attracted interest from several clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool.
Manchester United and Liverpool failed in summer
The winger joined the Hammers from Leeds United in 2024 and managed a goal and two assists in his debut season. He only started to impress for the London club this year.
His performances saw the 24-year-old make his debut for the Netherlands in March. Crysencio Summerville impressed at the World Cup, which attracted more interest.
Ivandro Monteiro is the 24-year-old’s personal trainer and also his ‘second father’. That’s the labelling from ESPN NL, who spoke to Monteiro. The source close to the Dutchman says Manchester United and Liverpool were among the clubs that wanted him in the summer.
In July, Sport Witness covered a report from Italy explaining that AS Roma wanted to sign him. However, the Serie A side and other European clubs lost the battle to Al-Hilal.
Strong interest from Europe before Saudi move
Ivandro Monteiro mentioned Manchester United and Liverpool while discussing the attacker’s decision to pick Al-Hilal.
“He called me at one point and said: ‘You’re not going to believe this’,” he said.
“He told me that a lot of clubs were interested. Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Roma, Liverpool, Manchester United… all clubs that had spoken to him. I told him: ‘Just wait a bit. See what happens. You never know’.”
The personal trainer told Crysencio Summerville to join Simone Inzaghi’s side after learning about the figures.
“He said: ‘Listen to this, this is crazy.’ Then he told me about Al-Hilal and what they would be willing to pay for him. And he would earn a lot more there too,” Monteiro explained.
“I said immediately: ‘Boy, pack your bags and go. Don’t think about it’. You are still young and you can always go back. The league is tough and people underestimate the level there. But for him, it was a new challenge and a chance to develop further.”
“A club doesn’t automatically make you better. Many people think that a good club makes a player better, but you mainly have to invest in yourself. If you keep training in your spare time and want to improve yourself, a trainer will see that too. Crysencio is such a person. He always wants to be the best and doesn’t just ‘sit down’.”
Summerville has two goals and three assists from nine matches for the Middle East club.
