Trainer: Liverpool among clubs Summerville turned down before Al-Hilal move

Crysencio Summerville's personal trainer says Liverpool were among several clubs to speak with the winger before Al-Hilal paid €70m to sign him.

Crysencio Summerville turned down Liverpool this summer before completing a big-money move to Saudi Arabia, according to his personal trainer. Ivandro Monteiro told ESPN that the winger was contacted by several leading clubs during the window, with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal winning the race in a €70 million deal.

The claim offers a rare glimpse into an eventful summer at Anfield. Wide areas were the biggest of the problems that held Liverpool back during the 2025-26 season, and the task of fixing them grew harder when Mohamed Salah, the side's most productive winger, left the club. That left the Reds searching for a dependable solution on the flank.

Yan Diomande emerged as the preferred answer, but the player chose not to make the move. That decision forced Liverpool to rework its plans for the position. The club adjusted course and brought in Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola, though those two were not the only candidates considered; they were simply the ones whose transfers were completed.

Summerville ranked among the most intriguing wide options available. Going down with West Ham United made his departure all but inevitable, yet few could agree on what he was worth: a World Cup performer whose statistics are unspectacular but whose natural talent is clear. Liverpool had tracked him before, having been linked strongly with the player during his youth career at Leeds United. Interest from Al-Hilal made an already murky valuation picture even harder to read.

Monteiro, who is close to Summerville, recounted how the summer unfolded. The player phoned him at one point insisting he would not believe what was happening, then listed the clubs that had opened talks: Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, AS Roma, Liverpool and Manchester United. Monteiro urged him at that stage to be patient and weigh whatever offers followed.

Days afterward came a second call, this one centered on Al-Hilal. Summerville told his trainer the terms were extraordinary, outlining what the Saudi club would pay and how much more he stood to earn there. Monteiro's response was immediate: accept the offer and make the move without hesitation.

Al-Hilal completed the transfer at €70 million, a figure no other club came close to contemplating. That ended the chase for the European sides that had made contact and sealed Summerville's move to the Saudi Pro League.

For Liverpool, the comments amount to an unexpected confirmation of a rumor that had circulated since the summer window. Summerville had interested the club without ever heading their list of wide targets, and once Al-Hilal became involved, a deal was never realistically within reach for Anfield.

Liverpool's next scheduled match comes against Manchester United on Saturday, October 3, at 8:30 a.m. EDT at Leigh Sports Village. The game airs on Paramount+.