Money above all? A Dutch international in his prime heads to Saudi Arabia, unable to resist a staggering £65 million contract.

"HWG!" (Here We Go) — with the iconic confirmation from Fabrizio Romano, the transfer market this summer sees another massive deal. Al Hilal and West Ham United have struck a deal, and 24-year-old Dutch international Crysencio Summerville is heading to the Saudi Pro League. After intense pursuit from European clubs like Roma, Summerville ultimately succumbed to the allure of money and chose Al Hilal, with the player now authorized to undergo a medical.

The details of this deal are a perfect showcase of "money power." According to Romano's leak, Al Hilal offered a fixed fee of £55 million for the winger in his prime, plus £10 million in add-ons, totaling a whopping £65 million. For West Ham, who were unfortunately relegated to the Championship last season, this is undoubtedly an irresistible cash-out deal.

In the last 48 hours of the transfer saga, Serie A giants Roma tried to make a last-ditch effort, even offering £40 million, but their attempts were in vain against Saudi Arabia's deep-pocketed hijack. What truly changed Summerville's mind was the eye-popping personal terms: Al Hilal offered him a massive contract until 2030 with an annual salary of €16 million. In contrast, Roma's offer of €4.5 million per year seemed paltry. At the peak of his career, facing a nearly four-fold salary gap, Summerville made a pragmatic choice: to secure his pension early.

The 24-year-old Summerville is currently in the rising phase of his career. Last season, he made 34 appearances across all competitions for West Ham, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists. Even more impressive was his performance at the 2026 World Cup: despite the Netherlands' overall poor showing, being eliminated in the round of 32, Summerville efficiently recorded 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 matches, fully demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level.

From Leeds United to West Ham United, and now to Al Hilal, Summerville's transfer trajectory reflects the new trend in modern football. When the Saudi league can attract national team players in their prime with salaries far exceeding those of Europe's top leagues, the traditional football landscape is quietly being reshaped. For Summerville, this may not be the pinnacle of competition, but it is certainly the peak experience in terms of wealth. With this deal finalized, the Saudi league's star power shines once again, and the European football transfer market will face even more severe challenges.