Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

[trousers]

4 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

It's funny seeing people have a dig at this considering Ramsdale had a transfer last summer and ended up at a promoted team. Not sure why anyone suddenly thinks he's going to be anywhere near the top of any of the other exact same 17 teams shopping list when he wasn't a year ago. 

4 hours ago, trousers said:

How do we know for certain that he didn't have other options? 

3 hours ago, HarvSFC said:

He did. Wolves very nearly signed him last summer.

Cheers... So, to tweak Fabrice's statement for accuracy then: "he's not going to be anywhere near the top of any of the other exact same 17 teams shopping list when (except for Wolves) he wasn't a year ago"

👍🏻

Edited Tuesday at 13:58 by trousers

[Chez]

3 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

It's funny seeing people have a dig at this considering Ramsdale had a transfer last summer and ended up at a promoted team. Not sure why anyone suddenly thinks he's going to be anywhere near the top of any of the other exact same 17 teams shopping list when he wasn't a year ago. 

Perhaps one of the 17 teams that does rate him may need a keeper this summer when they didn't last?

[wild-saint]

1 hour ago, Zorba said:

No-one signs for Saints if they have other options.

thats kind of the same for every club no? they only sign if they dotn have a better option. 

[Zorba]

25 minutes ago, wild-saint said:

thats kind of the same for every club no? they only sign if they dotn have a better option. 

Is English your first language? 

[Farmer Saint]

55 minutes ago, lambtiss said:

Perhap try watching the matches?

Just a thought

This is not my opinion, this is what I have been told, and I'm sure those clubs have had people, with a better eye than you or me, watching him.

Edited Tuesday at 13:47 by Farmer Saint

[Smirking_Saint]

7 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

Hope this is bullshit. 

Its not

We sent a team last week

Edited Tuesday at 15:26 by Smirking_Saint

[Chez]

51 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

This is not my opinion, this is what I have been told, and I'm sure those clubs have had people, with a better eye than you or me, watching him.

If PL scouts don't rate him, that's great news. He's ideal for us. 

[Chez]

7 hours ago, coalman said:

 

reminds me Edozie. Lots of tricks, but very lightweight build, currently.

[Chez]

3 hours ago, Miltonaggro said:

Looks a lot of money for Championship Saints for an 18 year old from that league, but he's seen as a genuine hot prospect. Athletic 6ft 2ins target man striker, already capped by Senegal and originally from Mane's old side.

Looks a similar player to Downs. You wonder if he was on our shortlist at some point but having signed Downs perhaps is no longer a target?

[hypochondriac]

7 hours ago, Farmer Saint said:

 

 

 

That's fine, I get all of that, it's just what I've been told.

You were told by someone else that "the rest was lacking?" I don't need someone else to tell me, I watched almost every game last season and I could see he was a decent keeper. 

[Smirking_Saint]

13 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

You were told by someone else that "the rest was lacking?" I don't need someone else to tell me, I watched almost every game last season and I could see he was a decent keeper. 

It has more to do with the fact that most clubs have a first team keeper sorted, and those that don’t probably have issues with PSR and as such 25m for Ramsdale is probably a lot

Id imagine he’ll go out on loan towards the end of the TW

[Miltonaggro]

45 minutes ago, Chez said:

Looks a similar player to Downs. You wonder if he was on our shortlist at some point but having signed Downs perhaps is no longer a target?

I think so, though who is leaving and how Still intends to play could also be factors I suppose, but given the source it's probably fluff anyway.

[Chez]

3 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Id imagine he’ll go out on loan towards the end of the TW

Why would we loan him - to get his wages off the books or because he will be a disgruntled player (or both)? 

I can understand him departing - presumably because of a relegation release clause, but not sure I would understand him leaving on loan.

[sockeye]

11 minutes ago, Chez said:

Why would we loan him - to get his wages off the books or because he will be a disgruntled player (or both)? 

I can understand him departing - presumably because of a relegation release clause, but not sure I would understand him leaving on loan.

From our perspective, letting him go out on loan to a higher-placed club satisfies his desire to be in the mix for the World Cup squad but allows us to keep him in the medium-term if we were to be immediately promoted.

[Danbert]

1 hour ago, Chez said:

reminds me Edozie. Lots of tricks, but very lightweight build, currently.

I thought he looked decent and quite strong and big for his age, anyway it's likely moot as he is said to be out of our league

https://sportwitness.co.uk/transfer-to-southampton-considered-unlikely-liverpool-interested-months-ago-relegation-unhelpful/

[revolution saint]

6 minutes ago, Danbert said:

I thought he looked decent and quite strong and big for his age, anyway it's likely moot as he is said to be out of our league

https://sportwitness.co.uk/transfer-to-southampton-considered-unlikely-liverpool-interested-months-ago-relegation-unhelpful/

Doubt Liverpool will be in for him.  I thought he looked OK but he's barely played any senior adult football so I'd see him as squad player at best.

[hypochondriac]

51 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

It has more to do with the fact that most clubs have a first team keeper sorted, and those that don’t probably have issues with PSR and as such 25m for Ramsdale is probably a lot

Id imagine he’ll go out on loan towards the end of the TW

I know and I said as much on the previous page. He's clearly a pre ie league standard keeper, it's just that most prem clubs have keepers as good ad they don't need one that they want to spend that amount on. 

[lambtiss]

4 hours ago, Farmer Saint said:

This is not my opinion, this is what I have been told, and I'm sure those clubs have had people, with a better eye than you or me, watching him.

You don't need another club to tell you what one of our own players is like. That's just daft.

[hypochondriac]

4 minutes ago, lambtiss said:

You don't need another club to tell you what one of our own players is like. That's just daft.

Putting it another way, I am something of an expert on poor keepers given what we've had to work with over the last few seasons so I can say with confidence that Ramsdale is not one! 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, sockeye said:

but allows us to keep him in the medium-term if we were to be immediately promoted.

Er McCarthy and Bazanu, bit of a major issue there!

Edited Tuesday at 18:28 by Gloucester Saint

[Farmer Saint]

9 hours ago, lambtiss said:

You don't need another club to tell you what one of our own players is like. That's just daft.

I'm giving you the reasons that PL clubs aren't interested in signing him, that's all.

[Wade Garrett]

4 hours ago, Farmer Saint said:

I'm giving you the reasons that PL clubs aren't interested in signing him, that's all.

Regardless of clubs’ circumstances, he is a Premier quality keeper.  Personally, I hope nobody does come in for him, just like I hope Fernandes stays.

Edited Wednesday at 07:47 by Wade Garrett

[Smirking_Saint]

13 hours ago, Chez said:

Why would we loan him - to get his wages off the books or because he will be a disgruntled player (or both)? 

I can understand him departing - presumably because of a relegation release clause, but not sure I would understand him leaving on loan.

Wages mainly, pretty sure he is our highest earner, so I do see a situation where he moves to either a neely promoted team or a team that suddenly needs a keeper (injury ?)

[Smirking_Saint]

11 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Er McCarthy and Bazanu, bit of a major issue there!

I agree, but also not sure GKs are the issue they’re made out to be in the Championship IF we are a team looking to win it

Realistically I think the club needs more surgery in other areas, AND replacing McCarthy or Baz this year means we’ll be stuck with a below par GK if we get promoted

So.. to clarify, I don’t think McCarthy ir Baz are good enough, but in the absence of a manager intent on putting our own backline under pressure for 90 mins I don’t think its as much of an issue 

[hypochondriac]

10 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

I agree, but also not sure GKs are the issue they’re made out to be in the Championship IF we are a team looking to win it

Realistically I think the club needs more surgery in other areas, AND replacing McCarthy or Baz this year means we’ll be stuck with a below par GK if we get promoted

So.. to clarify, I don’t think McCarthy ir Baz are good enough, but in the absence of a manager intent on putting our own backline under pressure for 90 mins I don’t think its as much of an issue 

For me it's more about what they represent. It will be a real hit to morale to lose Ramsdale and then not replace him because fans don't really want either of his replacements in goal given the choice. 

[gio1saints]

I wanted to remind myself on sone stats from last champs season: 

Saints conceded 63 goals from 49 matches. Or c 1.3 goals per game. We conceded c. 4 shots on target per match - so roughly one shot in three on target went in! 

With Ramsdale in goal, or a gk of that quality- all things being equal, he will save more of those shots. 
 

Im assuming the opposition have the same 4 shots on target every match as last time we played championship. 

IMO : Rambo will let fewer goals per game in than GB and AM. Those 2 were the goalies who played last time. 

How many fewer? If you said 25% better that might represent 25% fewer goals conceded. Ie from 63 down 47 - 16 less goals! Getting to under one per match - which is a figure a promotion achieving team should be aiming for. 

Conclusion  : if AR leaves we must get a starting goalkeeper replacement.- not rely on the previous goalies. 

 

Edited Wednesday at 08:28 by gio1saints
Sp

[coalman]

6 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

I wanted to remind myself on sone stats from last champs season: 

Saints conceded 63 goals from 49 matches. Or c 1.3 goals per game. We conceded c. 4 shots on target per match - so roughly one shot in three on target went in! 

With Ramsdale in goal, or a gk of that quality- all things being equal, he will save more of those shots. 
 

Im assuming the opposition have the same 4 shots on target every match as last time we played championship. 

IMO : Rambo will let fewer goals per game in than GM and AM. Those 2 were the goalies who played last time. 

How many fewer? If you said 25% better that might represent 25% fewer goals conceded. Ie from 63 down 47 - 16 less goals! Getting to under one per match - which is a figure a promotion achieving team should be aiming for. 

Conclusion  : if AR leaves we must get a starting goalkeeper replacement.- not rely on the previous goalies. 

 

It's not just that - a defence playing in front of a 'keeper they are confident in play better and are less jittery and prone to mistakes.

[Oldandtired]

2 hours ago, Smirking_Saint said:

I agree, but also not sure GKs are the issue they’re made out to be in the Championship IF we are a team looking to win it

Realistically I think the club needs more surgery in other areas, AND replacing McCarthy or Baz this year means we’ll be stuck with a below par GK if we get promoted

So.. to clarify, I don’t think McCarthy ir Baz are good enough, but in the absence of a manager intent on putting our own backline under pressure for 90 mins I don’t think its as much of an issue 

To be fair I think that when AM was parachuted in at the end of the champ season and they stopped dicking around at the back (ooh er)because he can't do it, at that time he proved himself to be adequate at the basics of goalkeeping, which clearly Bazunu wasn't.....IMHO of course.

Edited Wednesday at 08:19 by Oldandtired

[revolution saint]

On 22/07/2025 at 11:44, Saint_lambden said:

He played more as a second striker/number 10 for Orient last season. Even at times dropped deeper in to central midfielder as his off the ball work is brilliant.

I know we’ve enquired at least but nothing formal in terms of an offer on the table. Unsurprisingly we’re not the only Championship team interested. I’d be surprised if he gets many minutes at Spurs this season. Played 45 minutes off the bench v Reading the other day but will have plenty ahead of him in pecking order.

I owe you an apology - I'd got confused with Donley and Charlie Kelman who was on loan at Orient last season.  You're right, Donley is much more of a midfielder.

[Saint NL]

https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwich-city/25336114.wolfsburg-pull-out-josh-sargent-deal---reports/

 

There's still a (tiny) chance we get him

[Smirking_Saint]

10 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

For me it's more about what they represent. It will be a real hit to morale to lose Ramsdale and then not replace him because fans don't really want either of his replacements in goal given the choice. 

But my point is, if we replace Ramsdale this year, its likely we’ll have to replace again next year.. unless we get lucky… and that’s fine, if we somehow manage to find a player good enough to carry through unto the prem then go for it, but I ‘feel’ like we would be better spending on a winger, No.10 and perhaps a CB or ST first

[Gloucester Saint]

10 hours ago, Smirking_Saint said:

I agree, but also not sure GKs are the issue they’re made out to be in the Championship IF we are a team looking to win it

Realistically I think the club needs more surgery in other areas, AND replacing McCarthy or Baz this year means we’ll be stuck with a below par GK if we get promoted

So.. to clarify, I don’t think McCarthy ir Baz are good enough, but in the absence of a manager intent on putting our own backline under pressure for 90 mins I don’t think its as much of an issue 

Normally agree with you SS but I can’t on this post. Bazunu was by far statistically the worst keeper in the Chanpionship in 23/24 and we saw the difference when McCarthy came in after Gavin’s injury. There’s no way on this earth Gavin makes the same save to his left Alex did late on from Dan James at Wembley.

We could get a loan keeper - someone like Sam Johnstone - don’t have to buy - but we need to move on from either/or AM or GB (probably the latter given he’s looked shocking in anything above League 1).

[Challenger]

For fucks sake, can "we" at least upgrade on at least a couple of positions ?

[Gloucester Saint]

5 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

But my point is, if we replace Ramsdale this year, its likely we’ll have to replace again next year.. unless we get lucky… and that’s fine, if we somehow manage to find a player good enough to carry through unto the prem then go for it, but I ‘feel’ like we would be better spending on a winger, No.10 and perhaps a CB or ST first

As suggested, borrow a keeper - there are plenty better than those two - and still invest in the outfield areas you describe.

It’s the very least the club can do to start atoning for last year.

[Smirking_Saint]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

As suggested, borrow a keeper - there are plenty better than those two - and still invest in the outfield areas you describe.

It’s the very least the club can do to start atoning for last year.

 

5 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Normally agree with you SS but I can’t on this post. Bazunu was by far statistically the worst keeper in the Chanpionship in 23/24 and we saw the difference when McCarthy came in after Gavin’s injury. There’s no way on this earth Gavin makes the same save to his left Alex did late on from Dan James at Wembley.

We could get a loan keeper - someone like Sam Johnstone - don’t have to buy - but we need to move on from either/or AM or GB (probably the latter given he’s looked shocking in anything above League 1).

All of thats fair, Id like to think Baz has matured a bit over last year, I still think there’s a better keeper in there than we saw under Martin, and RM had a knack of piling undue pressure on GKs and backlines… but all that said its hard to argue it’ll be one of our weakest positions

I just feel both are, good enough, as long as the rest of the squad is more cohesive and less risk taking, atleast in our own box, then the last time we relied on either

Of course the best thing to happen would be that Ramsdale stays, unfortunately I doubt it

[Smirking_Saint]

4 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

As suggested, borrow a keeper - there are plenty better than those two - and still invest in the outfield areas you describe.

It’s the very least the club can do to start atoning for last year.

 

9 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Normally agree with you SS but I can’t on this post. Bazunu was by far statistically the worst keeper in the Chanpionship in 23/24 and we saw the difference when McCarthy came in after Gavin’s injury. There’s no way on this earth Gavin makes the same save to his left Alex did late on from Dan James at Wembley.

We could get a loan keeper - someone like Sam Johnstone - don’t have to buy - but we need to move on from either/or AM or GB (probably the latter given he’s looked shocking in anything above League 1).

All of thats fair, Id like to think Baz has matured a bit over last year, I still think there’s a better keeper in there than we saw under Martin, and RM had a knack of piling undue pressure on GKs and backlines… but all that said its hard to argue it’ll be one of our weakest positions

I just feel both are, good enough, as long as the rest of the squad is more cohesive and less risk taking, atleast in our own box, then the last time we relied on either

Of course the best thing to happen would be that Ramsdale stays, unfortunately I doubt it

[Smirking_Saint]

Dupe post

Edited Wednesday at 17:07 by Smirking_Saint
Dupe post

[Gloucester Saint]

5 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

 

All of thats fair, Id like to think Baz has matured a bit over last year, I still think there’s a better keeper in there than we saw under Martin, and RM had a knack of piling undue pressure on GKs and backlines… but all that said its hard to argue it’ll be one of our weakest positions

I just feel both are, good enough, as long as the rest of the squad is more cohesive and less risk taking, atleast in our own box, then the last time we relied on either

Of course the best thing to happen would be that Ramsdale stays, unfortunately I doubt it

If you watch some of the clips from his loan spell in Liege you’ll see what we mean.

[saintant]

11 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

If you watch some of the clips from his loan spell in Liege you’ll see what we mean.

I'm far from his biggest fan but Bazunu made some big saves in today's friendly. Maybe the new goalkeeping coach has improved him. Obviously it's only 45 minutes of one game and we need to see how he performs in rest of pre season.

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, saintant said:

I'm far from his biggest fan but Bazunu made some big saves in today's friendly. Maybe the new goalkeeping coach has improved him. Obviously it's only 45 minutes of one game and we need to see how he performs in rest of pre season.

Hope you’re right. Big risk to find out first game of the season though.

[ally_uk]

Attacking third is where we need work. 

Striking options need to be refreshed? 

Who should go? 

Couple of loans in? 

Wingers? 

Too many questions 

I'm not rating what I've seen so far. 

 

 

[Wade Garrett]

25 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

 

All of thats fair, Id like to think Baz has matured a bit over last year, I still think there’s a better keeper in there than we saw under Martin, and RM had a knack of piling undue pressure on GKs and backlines… but all that said its hard to argue it’ll be one of our weakest positions

I just feel both are, good enough, as long as the rest of the squad is more cohesive and less risk taking, atleast in our own box, then the last time we relied on either

Of course the best thing to happen would be that Ramsdale stays, unfortunately I doubt it

Can’t agree with anyone who thinks Bazunu is good enough.  

[Matthew Le God]

Just now, ally_uk said:

Striking options need to be refreshed? 

Playing a 1 striker formation as main tactic. Have Downs, Stewart and Archer as options (plus Armstrong & Brereton Diaz could play central rather than wide if needed). I doubt it'll change from that. All should be effective at Championship level.

[Chez]

3 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Playing a 1 striker formation as main tactic. Have Downs, Stewart and Archer as options (plus Armstrong & Brereton Diaz could play central rather than wide if needed). I doubt it'll change from that. All should be effective at Championship level.

You clearly have full confidence in our strikers, which is great, but do you not have any doubts at all?

[saintant]

43 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Can’t agree with anyone who thinks Bazunu is good enough.  

That's fair enough and understandable. He did look more like a goalkeeper today though but maybe I'm clutching at very thin straws.

[saintant]

I think defensively we will be ok (although goalkeeper remains a potential issue) and the real heavy lifting for the recruitment guys needs to be on midfield and attack. We are crying out for a dominant, powerful, ball carrying, creative midfield player to orchestrate play. Then we probably need a pair of quick wide players who can beat a man and deliver crosses plus they should weigh in with a few goals - not confident in what we have in this department although JR has potential. For the main striker role we are relying on Stewart who may or may not keep fit and do a job and the raw new recruit Downs so that's a gamble. Will Still has to be given the tools to do the job and, if he is, I think we are in for an exciting season. However, there are so many decisions to be made on who goes and who stays so lots to ponder for Still, Spors and the recruitment team. Time we got the big decisions right and started the rebuild. Not sure we'll be good enough for automatic promotion but Will is ambitious and I'm certain that will be his dream. For now patience is needed and I'm as bad as anyone on that score so desperate for news on outgoings and incomings.

[ErwinK1961]

1 hour ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Normally agree with you SS but I can’t on this post. Bazunu was by far statistically the worst keeper in the Chanpionship in 23/24 and we saw the difference when McCarthy came in after Gavin’s injury. There’s no way on this earth Gavin makes the same save to his left Alex did late on from Dan James at Wembley.

We could get a loan keeper - someone like Sam Johnstone - don’t have to buy - but we need to move on from either/or AM or GB (probably the latter given he’s looked shocking in anything above League 1).

I know Gavin has had his ‘moments’ but seriously, really? It was a basic save, conceding that would have been a massive fuck up.

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, ErwinK1961 said:

I know Gavin has had his ‘moments’ but seriously, really? It was a basic save, conceding that would have been a massive fuck up.

Look at Ipswich away that season - even Martin criticised him after that and said he cost us the game.

[ErwinK1961]

34 minutes ago, saintant said:

That's fair enough and understandable. He did look more like a goalkeeper today though but maybe I'm clutching at very thin straws.

Maybe the new GK coach has had a positive impact? Though I remember him looking good in preseason when he first joined, and it went downhill from there.

It would be an unnecessary gamble if we didn’t replace Ramsdale. Though it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was still here come September.

[ErwinK1961]

2 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Look at Ipswich away that season - even Martin criticised him after that and said he cost us the game.

I thought he criticised him for poor distribution/decision that led to their attack / goal.

Respect your opinion, but I disagree that he doesn’t save that James shot.