Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, tdmickey3 said:

Better of playing him in the nowhere position

Having read the full article, Dragan is saying the first three signings will be without the need for sales, DC (Quarshie), AMC and striker, there will be more incomings but needs to be some sales and squad reduction for those.

Which means Ramsdale would leave if there’s to be a new first choice keeper, which makes absolute sense. If the release clause is true then he will be although keepers are a different market,

[Mr Saints]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

We only have a tiny sample of 1 player that the new recruitment team can be judged on.

The new recruitment team was recruited by SR who are terrible at recruitment.

[Saint_clark]

1 hour ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

I don't get the rating for Onuachu. He's awful. Blowing out of his arse after half an hour. Just how many goals did he score last season? I guess everyone will trot out that we didn't play to his strengths etc, completely ignoring the fact that he is still utter gash.

More than anyone else on our team despite playing less than half the season. 

Playing every game he'd have got double figures.

[disconnect]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

Hasn't Broja been pretty ineffective since his horror injury? 

Pretty ineffective is being generous! I think he's scored something like 2 goals in 2 seasons. 

[Lighthouse]

10 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

More than anyone else on our team despite playing less than half the season. 

Playing every game he'd have got double figures.

He didn't play less than half the season, he scored 4 in 28 appearances. He would have to play about 70 games at that rate to break into double figures.

He's crap, his fitness is awful and we'll hopefully be well rid of him in a week or two.

[revolution saint]

Given that Quarshie was only 3M then I reckon the other two won't be too expensive and probably more along the same lines (young and with potential that we've identified and don't want to miss out on).  I'm guessing Damion Downs is the striker.  No idea about the midfielder though, Zeneli maybe?

[Lee On Solent Saint]

24 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

More than anyone else on our team despite playing less than half the season. 

Playing every game he'd have got double figures.

Double figures in getting subbed off due to being fucked after half an hour maybe. 

[hypochondriac]

2 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

I expect you’re right, but wouldn’t it be great if we were able to have a decent sub option if Fernandes was not available? Just think of the number of times he ran himself into the ground, got subbed and then we lost the game thanks to a lack of squad depth/quality. It was a very key feature of last seasons shitfest.

We can dream but I know in the championship that your actual good players are the ones who leave. It's why it was so amazing last time to have kwp. 

Edited 10 hours ago by hypochondriac

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

28 minutes ago, revolution saint said:

I'm guessing Damion Downs is the striker.

Is that just your own speculation, or is there a more substantial link? 

[revolution saint]

1 minute ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

Is that just your own speculation, or is there a more substantial link? 

We were linked a few days ago but other than that it's my speculation.  Link: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/southampton-plotting-transfer-swoop-for-koln-striker-damion-downs/

There's other links - that's just the first one I found.  He's coming into his last year of contract, young, decent record in German 2nd division so Spors team will know about him in the same way they did Quarshie.  Chuck in Spors talking about physicality and athleticism then Downs seems to fit the bill.

[vectraman]

1 hour ago, Lighthouse said:

He didn't play less than half the season, he scored 4 in 28 appearances. He would have to play about 70 games at that rate to break into double figures.

He's crap, his fitness is awful and we'll hopefully be well rid of him in a week or two.

In those 28 games many were for a few minutes off of the bench. He played 1045 minutes in the premier league. Equivalent of just under 12 full games. 4 goals in 12 doesn’t seem so bad…

As with all statistics, make of them what you want.
I personally think he would score a decent amount of goals in the championship, as he has in Turkey. 

We already own him, so worth keeping? 
 

[Appy]

4 minutes ago, vectraman said:

In those 28 games many were for a few minutes off of the bench. He played 1045 minutes in the premier league. Equivalent of just under 12 full games. 4 goals in 12 doesn’t seem so bad…

As with all statistics, make of them what you want.
I personally think he would score a decent amount of goals in the championship, as he has in Turkey. 

We already own him, so worth keeping? 
 

I can’t get my head round people thinking Onuachu is any good, he’s awful and if we’re becoming a high energy transition team, he’s nowhere near it. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

58 minutes ago, vectraman said:

In those 28 games many were for a few minutes off of the bench. He played 1045 minutes in the premier league. Equivalent of just under 12 full games. 4 goals in 12 doesn’t seem so bad…

As with all statistics, make of them what you want.
I personally think he would score a decent amount of goals in the championship, as he has in Turkey. 

We already own him, so worth keeping? 
 

Not worth keeping in the slightest. Centre halves in the Championship will totally bully him. He's got all the physicality of a pillow. Seemingly the only clubs interested in him are from Turkey, if he was rated surely more clubs around Europe would be taking a look at him.

[beatlesaint]

1 hour ago, Appy said:

I can’t get my head round people thinking Onuachu is any good, he’s awful and if we’re becoming a high energy transition team, he’s nowhere near it. 

As much as I like Tall Paul - its a low bar given the shit show of strikers we've got - you are right, high energy isnt his game. His style is very much Wimbledon of the past, and indeed a certain Mr Jones, where the ball is lumped up for the big striker in the penalty area.

I think he would score goals in the Championship, alas not in the style or formation we are expecting to play.

[disconnect]

Onuachu had some decent appearances where he did look like a handful (and scored a few goals), but he doesnt have the natural fitness to play high intensity football. He would do a job next season to throw on and cause a bit of mayhem, but he'll almost certainly be gone and hopefully we'll have a pacy, fitter and physical striker to replace him with (not Ross Stewart)!

[le_tiss]

Just saw this on another forum:

Quote

 

Heard rumours of swap deal between Bournemouth and Southampton.

Dibling for David Brooks. 

 

no thanks

[Saints4Prem]

5 minutes ago, le_tiss said:

Just saw this on another forum:

no thanks

Would be a good deal if they Paid us around £60 million and most importantly having Brooks here meant his mate Rambo stayed

[Saint Fan CaM]

6 minutes ago, le_tiss said:

Just saw this on another forum:

no thanks

To be fair Brookes would do well in the Championship and it would involve a large chunk of cash coming our way for a decent striker or ACM, so perhaps not out of the realms of possibility especially if the lad can commute to Bournemouth easy.

[Chez]

25 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

To be fair Brookes would do well in the Championship and it would involve a large chunk of cash coming our way for a decent striker or ACM, so perhaps not out of the realms of possibility especially if the lad can commute to Bournemouth easy.

If Brooks is available - which surprises me, as he played quite a lot of games in the PL last season - then he'd be a very good signing IMO. Forget the swap deal, let's jsut get Brooks. I know many felt he blew hot and cold, but that's often the case with flair players. We need to sign some players that can offer some guile.

[Chez]

2 hours ago, vectraman said:

We already own him, so worth keeping? 
 

That seems to be the plan, unless a club pays the going rate for him. Unfortunately Turkish clubs without CL football don't have two farthings to rub together.

[Patrick Bateman]

25 minutes ago, Chez said:

If Brooks is available - which surprises me, as he played quite a lot of games in the PL last season - then he'd be a very good signing IMO. Forget the swap deal, let's jsut get Brooks. I know many felt he blew hot and cold, but that's often the case with flair players. We need to sign some players that can offer some guile.

Agree with this - I think Brooks would be great in the Championship as he was looking decent for Bournemouth end of last season. Therefore I can't believe he is available ... 

 

[Verbal]

2 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

He's got all the physicality of a pillow.

Seems good to me. Let others score the goals while he suffocates the defenders.

[Chez]

3 hours ago, revolution saint said:

We were linked a few days ago but other than that it's my speculation.  Link: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/southampton-plotting-transfer-swoop-for-koln-striker-damion-downs/

There's other links - that's just the first one I found.  He's coming into his last year of contract, young, decent record in German 2nd division so Spors team will know about him in the same way they did Quarshie.  Chuck in Spors talking about physicality and athleticism then Downs seems to fit the bill.

I'm wondering who the attacking midfielder might be, and whether a right sided player (winger/attacker) fits that category or is it more of a central attacking midfielder? Are we still scouting the Argentinian league? Valentino Acuna might an option in the middle - if we are looking for another 20 year old with promise. Serginho from Viborg might be an option if we are looking for a winger. Not sure he's a better option than Brooks though.

[disconnect]

Weren't we linked with Luis Guilherme from West Ham? Hasn't done much since moving there at a young age, but was seen as a bit of a coup when they got him. 

[Chez]

5 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Having read the full article, Dragan is saying the first three signings will be without the need for sales, DC (Quarshie), AMC and striker, there will be more incomings but needs to be some sales and squad reduction for those.

We have perhaps gone over this when we signed Quarshie, but I do find it a little strange that centre back was identified by Spors as a position that "we needed to buy immediately" (as stated by Dragon in the Echo article). Unless deals have already been done for the likes of Bednarek and they just need to be announced in July, or Quarshie is going straight into the starting side, we have plenty of bodies and plenty of young players, so why did we need another CB before selling CBs we don't want?

[Chez]

14 minutes ago, disconnect said:

Weren't we linked with Luis Guilherme from West Ham? Hasn't done much since moving there at a young age, but was seen as a bit of a coup when they got him. 

In April this year, yes.

https://www.thewesthamway.com/2025/04/23/disappointing-west-ham-attacker-luis-guilherme-could-join-southampton/

Sort of player we should be looking at perhaps. Not quite made it yet at PL level, but perhaps too good for the championship. I've not seen hi play for West Ham. Does he has anything about him? 

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Chez

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

To be fair Brookes would do well in the Championship and it would involve a large chunk of cash coming our way for a decent striker or ACM, so perhaps not out of the realms of possibility especially if the lad can commute to Bournemouth easy.

is he still cup tied?

[revolution saint]

27 minutes ago, Chez said:

I'm wondering who the attacking midfielder might be, and whether a right sided player (winger/attacker) fits that category or is it more of a central attacking midfielder? Are we still scouting the Argentinian league? Valentino Acuna might an option in the middle - if we are looking for another 20 year old with promise. Serginho from Viborg might be an option if we are looking for a winger. Not sure he's a better option than Brooks though.

Yeah, attacking midfielder could potentially cover a lot of bases.  Personally I think of a more central player but could be a winger.  Assuming Dibling and Sulemana leave then we don't have too many proper winger options.  Edozie is one but after that it's Armstrong, BBD, Aribo, Fraser and out of that last 4 I don't really consider any of them as old school wingers (plus we're probably open to offers on all of them).  Haven't heard of those you listed but we seem to like the south american market.

[malcolm waldron]

34 minutes ago, Turkish said:

is he still cup tied?

Fairly sure that Brooksy's yet to make an appearance at the Club World Championship and so by my reckoning he'll be free to come straight into the first XI for the first game of the season when he signs.  I'm told a deal is very close - with Bazunu, Manning and Smallbone making the short trip along the M27.  The only sticking point is how much we pay B'mouth to accept them.

[OldNick]

3 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Not worth keeping in the slightest. Centre halves in the Championship will totally bully him. He's got all the physicality of a pillow. Seemingly the only clubs interested in him are from Turkey, if he was rated surely more clubs around Europe would be taking a look at him.

well he gave VVD and Konata a torrid time at SMS

Edited 6 hours ago by OldNick

[Willo of Whiteley]

6 hours ago, disconnect said:

Pretty ineffective is being generous! I think he's scored something like 2 goals in 2 seasons. 

Some still think he’s the messiah 🤣

[OldNick]

9 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Some still think he’s the messiah 🤣

Hed still be our 4th top scorer last season lol

[lambtiss]

8 hours ago, tdmickey3 said:

It should be 4 positions, we need another goalkeeper

In addition to positions, there are certain attributes that the team as a whole is lacking which we should be looking to bring in. 

Leadership is something we have sadly lacked since Fonte left. Physicality is another characteristic that we fail on and something that is especially needed in the Championship (and the PL). 

Finally, stamina was proved to be sadly lacking last year. So, hopefully the incoming players would be extremely fit and alongside that Will Still will be getting  the retinue fit over the summer. 

 

[Rebel]

2 hours ago, Chez said:

We have perhaps gone over this when we signed Quarshie, but I do find it a little strange that centre back was identified by Spors as a position that "we needed to buy immediately" (as stated by Dragon in the Echo article). Unless deals have already been done for the likes of Bednarek and they just need to be announced in July, or Quarshie is going straight into the starting side, we have plenty of bodies and plenty of young players, so why did we need another CB before selling CBs we don't want?

I am guessing the need was for a left footed centre back.  None of the existing centre backs are left footed whereas Quarshie is supposedly two-footed.

Maybe the other requirement was height - at 6ft 5 Quarshie is taller than any of our existing centre backs - Bednarek, Wood and Harwoord-Bellis are 6ft 2, Lawrence, Kayi Sanda and Stephens is 6ft 1, Edwards 5ft 11 and ABK 6ft 3 

And I am willing to bet the other requirement was pace - none of the existing centre backs are particularly fast across the ground

It also looks like ABK, Bednarek and THB will all be leaving Saints this summer.   Kayi Sanda will probably play a role in cup games and the U21s and Nico Lawrence will probably go on loan again.

Personally I wouldn't be against bringing in another left footed centre back so we have cover on both the left and right of central defence.

[HarvSFC]

Good that the club are prioritising a striker. The summer when we were linked to Gakpo/Ramos/Dembele and ended up with Caleta-Car, Edozie and Larios on deadline day is still haunting.

I hope the striker is an established statement signing, rather than a Quarshie with little first team experience. Stewart could have been that two years ago if he wasn't crocked, so it wouldn't totally be against SR's philosophy. I feel that we already have a young, developing striker in Archer and he could learn from and support/play backup to a striker with a few more years behind them. If we did go for a young player like Downs, I'd still feel as though we needed more. Promotion winning sides need ultra consistent players. Hopefully find 2025's Rickie Lambert.

[Matthew Le God]

 

 

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

 

 

🤞 for all parties sake that’s accurate. Allegedly personal terms were already agreed although might have been from one of those clickbait sites. Should’ve happened last summer but they pushed it to the wire and Saints understandably wouldn’t give him away for next to free when he’s already scored goals on loan.

[skintsaint]

3 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

 

[Saint Matty 76]

Not a bad fee in the end, but still another pretty reasonable loss.

Absolutely bewildering that a Premier League team signed off on his transfer. 

[Gloucester Saint]

16 minutes ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Not a bad fee in the end, but still another pretty reasonable loss.

Absolutely bewildering that a Premier League team signed off on his transfer. 

He was never going to be a signing we turned for a profit in his late 20s, like Carrillo was signed to dig a manager out of the crap by going route one. And just like with Pellegrino, Jones got the sack shortly afterwards. Pure stupidity for the same top flight club to make the same costly mistake twice in just 5 years.

If true, Spores has made the best out of a bad lot there. Good luck to Paul Onachu though, gave his best and there are few Saints players who can hold their head up and say the same over the last 3-4 seasons.

Whereas Sulemana will go for a similar fee and should’ve been a Mane type transfer. Lacks some of Sadio’s football brain let alone someone incredibly mature like Matty Fernandes, but can’t help feeling that the Southern League standard of coaching over the last 3 seasons at the club has not helped Kamaldeen at all. Sad, as not that long ago the club regularly improved players with raw attributes.

Edited 54 minutes ago by Gloucester Saint

[EBS1980]

8 minutes ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Not a bad fee in the end, but still another pretty reasonable loss.

Absolutely bewildering that a Premier League team signed off on his transfer. 

Will be an accounting profit though so good news 

[CB Fry]

Good luck to the big old lump.

I was there when he scored his first goal at the City Ground and no one can take that moment away from me.

Go well big man ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[CB Fry]

Also, to be fair, he was pretty shit.

[Matthew Le God]

 

https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11688/13163353/efl-transfer-news-rumours-and-gossip-for-championship-league-one-and-league-two?postid=9761071#liveblog-body

 

 

Edited 34 minutes ago by Matthew Le God

[Give it to Ron]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

 

 

£15m I’ll pay for his KLM flight to Ajax we could dress up a whippet in a Saints shirt with same end product .

[sockeye]

5 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11688/13163353/efl-transfer-news-rumours-and-gossip-for-championship-league-one-and-league-two?postid=9761071#liveblog-body

 

 

Not making our money back on him but stump that up to £12-13 million and I'd say that's fair. Personally I don't know if he will amount to much in English football due to his poor end product but his pace may shellshock teams in slower and weaker leagues.

Edited 29 minutes ago by sockeye

[sockeye]

55 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

 

The clear out begins. He'll kick on there for sure, 15 goals in 21 appearances for his loan is not to be scoffed at.

Edited 25 minutes ago by sockeye

[beatlesaint]

16 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11688/13163353/efl-transfer-news-rumours-and-gossip-for-championship-league-one-and-league-two?postid=9761071#liveblog-body

 

 

What the hell do they all see in him? He has no football brain whatsoever. All fart no shit !

[Saint_clark]

11 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

He didn't play less than half the season, he scored 4 in 28 appearances. He would have to play about 70 games at that rate to break into double figures.

He's crap, his fitness is awful and we'll hopefully be well rid of him in a week or two.

25 league appearances at 1045 minutes total, average of 43 minutes per appearance (so essentially less than 12 full games in terms of minutes on the pitch). 4 goals and an assist. 

Take that record across the whole season he's into double figures for goals. 

[hypochondriac]

50 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

He was never going to be a signing we turned for a profit in his late 20s, like Carrillo was signed to dig a manager out of the crap by going route one. And just like with Pellegrino, Jones got the sack shortly afterwards. Pure stupidity for the same top flight club to make the same costly mistake twice in just 5 years.

If true, Spores has made the best out of a bad lot there. Good luck to Paul Onachu though, gave his best and there are few Saints players who can hold their head up and say the same over the last 3-4 seasons.

Whereas Sulemana will go for a similar fee and should’ve been a Mane type transfer. Lacks some of Sadio’s football brain let alone someone incredibly mature like Matty Fernandes, but can’t help feeling that the Southern League standard of coaching over the last 3 seasons at the club has not helped Kamaldeen at all. Sad, as not that long ago the club regularly improved players with raw attributes.

Agree with you there. Sulemana may end up with a disappointing career but if he went somewhere with a good coach he could suddenly make the most of his best attributes and we could rue the fact we never got the best out of him. Could just as well flop though so selling him for good money is probably a good thing to do. 12 million plus like someone else said and I'd sell.