Kretinsky masterclass sees West Ham wipe out deficit with £68m Summerville sale

The Hammers chief set an £85m price on Fernandes’ head and refused to entertain anything less.

West Ham reaped the rewards when not only paid it, but up front too.

Kretinsky masterclass as West Ham get £68m for Summerville

Kretinsky has made it clear West Ham do not need to sell players for financial reasons.

But the sales of Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, who had a relegation clause in his contract, were sanctioned for a number of reasons – including wiping out the club’s Premier League relegation deficit.

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And a Kretinsky masterclass has seen West Ham achieve that with the eye-watering £68m sale of Summerville.

Last week, Hammers News reported that mega rich Saudi outfit Al Hilal’s interest in West Ham winger Summerville was real.

At the time, though, it was claimed by sources that a move to Saudi was not Summerville’s preference and that West Ham would not be able to get big bucks due to the Dutchman’s £50m release clause.

Roma and Aston Villa have been the frontrunners since.

In a Hammers News exclusive this morning, West Ham confirmed Summerville was leaving but his destination was unknown.

But now, out of the blue, Sky Sports is reporting that West Ham have agreed a whopping £68m deal with Al Hilal.

Hardline Kretinsky wipes out West Ham’s Premier League deficit with two sales

And it comes as Kretinsky rejected a host of bids from Roma – and others – knowing Summerville’s release clause was due to expire.

It was something of a risk but it has instantly paid off as Al Hilal have blown everyone else out of the water to get a free run at Summerville.

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The fact Villa have instantly switched their attentions to Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho speaks volumes.

Al Hilal are paying Summerville nearly £4m a year plus bonuses – nearly twice what was on offer at Roma.

It means Kretinsky’s transfer masterclass with Fernandes and Summerville has raised £153m in just two deals – completely wiping out the deficit West Ham will experience dropping down to the Championship from the Premier League.

Estimates say lost revenue from relegation amounts to around £130m all told.

But with over 50,000 season ticket holders, matchday income will not be hit hard as it would be at lesser clubs.

Kretinsky buying an additional 16 per cent of the club has injected £90m to pay down debts and satisfy financial rules.

The Czech billionaire is willing to fund Nuno Espirito Santo’s summer war chest by personally injecting funds.

The good news keeps on coming at West Ham, who will now turn attentions to signing a replacement for Summerville and improving Nuno’s squad.