Roma Lose Summerville to Al-Hilal in Record €80m Deal

FolioPitch.com – 22 July 2026 | In a stunning turn of events, Roma surrender Summerville to Al-Hilal and massive 80m package, as the Saudi Pro League club hijacked the transfer at the last moment. The Giallorossi had been on the verge of finalizing a deal worth nearly €50 million including add-ons for the Dutch winger, with personal terms agreed at €4 million per season. However, Al-Hilal’s sudden intervention with an €80 million package and a tripled salary blew Roma out of the water.

According to sources, the total package is valued at €80 million (£68.23 million), and a medical is already being scheduled with the Saudi club. Summerville is expected to sign a contract worth between €12 million and €15 million per season, depending on bonuses. Roma had hoped that the allure of Champions League football would convince the 24-year-old to reject the Middle Eastern offer, but the financial incentives proved too tempting.

The news that Roma surrender Summerville to Al-Hilal and massive 80m package came as a shock to Serie A followers, who saw the transfer as a done deal. The Giallorossi had already held initial meetings with Summerville’s agents and were confident of completing the transfer today. However, Al-Hilal’s offer, first reported by Sacha Tavolieri on July 14, was simply too large to ignore.

Summerville, who impressed at the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico with two goals and two assists, had a solid season for West Ham United last year, scoring seven goals and assisting five in 34 appearances. Despite his efforts, the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League, making a move away almost inevitable. Roma saw him as a key piece to strengthen their attack for the upcoming season, but they were unable to match the financial muscle of Al-Hilal.

This development marks a significant blow for Roma’s transfer plans. The club had been working diligently to secure Summerville’s signature, and their willingness to surrender Summerville to Al-Hilal and massive 80m package demonstrates the shifting dynamics of the global transfer market. Saudi clubs have increasingly become major players, offering wages and fees that European clubs, even those with Champions League aspirations, cannot compete with.

For Summerville, the decision was purely financial. While the chance to play in Europe’s premier competition was appealing, the guaranteed wealth from Al-Hilal proved irresistible. The Dutch international will now join a growing list of stars moving to the Saudi Pro League, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar.

Roma will now have to look elsewhere to reinforce their squad. The club had earmarked the Summerville deal as a priority, and their failure to complete it could have ripple effects on other potential signings. Managerial staff will need to reassess their options in the transfer market, with time running out before the season begins.

The fact that Roma surrender Summerville to Al-Hilal and massive 80m package also sends a message to other European clubs: Saudi Arabia is willing to pay top dollar for talent, and even Champions League football may not be enough to retain players. As the transfer window progresses, more such hijacks may occur, reshaping the landscape of world football.

In conclusion, Roma’s loss is Al-Hilal’s gain. The Serie A side must now regroup and focus on alternative targets, while Summerville prepares for a new chapter in Saudi Arabia. The €80 million deal underscores the growing influence of the Saudi Pro League and the challenges European clubs face in retaining their top targets.