Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

[saintant]

2 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Nothing is happening until that exit door starts revolving, the finances simply won't allow it. Look at how many FBs and CBs there are on the books, it's just unsustainable. 

As Will said there's a few stinking the place out at the moment.

However, got to hold on to the positives. Quarshie, Downs, Charles, Robinson, Sesay, and maybe Wood have shown some promise. We may even keep Downes, Fernades, Dibling, and THB. Even big Baz seems to be taking it seriously.

There's a team there somewhere 😂

i've resigned myself to August being crap, hopefully pick up after that.

 

I thought Dragan promised us a defender, a forward and a midfielder without having to sell players - we have a defender and forward but not the midfielder he mentioned.

[revolution saint]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Agree and this is my concern. Others have cited Fernandes and Dibling but I think we need a player more consistently creative than either of those two - a ball carrier who can beat his man, occupy space between the lines, pick a killer pass or cross and drive us forward.

I think you're going to be disappointed if you're looking for us to get better players than Fernandes and Dibling in.

[chivvy]

Sorry didn't see much of the games.  Has Robinson been playing off the left mainly or the right.  

 

 

[beatlesaint]

2 minutes ago, saintant said:

I thought Dragan promised us a defender, a forward and a midfielder without having to sell players - we have a defender and forward but not the midfielder he mentioned.

He did, and we've got the defender and the striker as you say but rumour is the midfielder has "gone cold" so whether that means Fernandes is staying along with Dibling only time will tell.

Edited Sunday at 09:38 by beatlesaint

[revolution saint]

Just now, chivvy said:

Sorry didn't see much of the games.  Has Robinson been playing off the left mainly or the right.  

 

 

Mostly the left although he switched to the right yesterday when he passed to Downs to score.

[saintant]

Just now, revolution saint said:

I think you're going to be disappointed if you're looking for us to get better players than Fernandes and Dibling in.

Dibling is a work in progress with potential to be a very good player but my take is that he is not ready yet despite some flashes of brilliance. Fernandes is super at what he does but does he really notch up many assists? Haven't checked the stats so could be wrong but I don't recall loads of assists from him.

[chivvy]

Be good to have the two youngsters competing against each other on the same  side.  But sounds like that's unlikely with dibling being a lefty.

 

I can't see us playing both.

 

And all if Dibling stays..

[revolution saint]

Just now, saintant said:

Dibling is a work in progress with potential to be a very good player but my take is that he is not ready yet despite some flashes of brilliance. Fernandes is super at what he does but does he really notch up many assists? Haven't checked the stats so could be wrong but I don't recall loads of assists from him.

Personally I don't agree, I think both would be excellent if they stayed but, again, it does sound like you think it's feasible to get better than them in.  I don't think that's realistic.

[revolution saint]

4 minutes ago, chivvy said:

Be good to have the two youngsters competing against each other on the same  side.  But sounds like that's unlikely with dibling being a lefty.

 

I can't see us playing both.

 

And all if Dibling stays..

Robinson left, Dibling right - both seem to be their natural positions.  

[saintant]

1 minute ago, revolution saint said:

Personally I don't agree, I think both would be excellent if they stayed but, again, it does sound like you think it's feasible to get better than them in.  I don't think that's realistic.

I'm very happy that both are currently in the squad. However, I think we need a more creative midfield player because this team just does not make many goal scoring opportunities even with both Fernandes and Dibling playing. I'm not looking for better than them as such but someone different who creates chances.

[bugenhagen]

8 minutes ago, saintant said:

Dibling is a work in progress with potential to be a very good player but my take is that he is not ready yet despite some flashes of brilliance. Fernandes is super at what he does but does he really notch up many assists? Haven't checked the stats so could be wrong but I don't recall loads of assists from him.

For me, the more creative players are often involved with making something happen one or two moves before the assist, so it is not just about the final ball. 

This is the area I’m most concerned with, especially if Dibling and Fernandes leaves. 

[revolution saint]

Just now, saintant said:

I'm very happy that both are currently in the squad. However, I think we need a more creative midfield player because this team just does not make many goal scoring opportunities even with both Fernandes and Dibling playing. I'm not looking for better than them as such but someone different who creates chances.

I definitely see the argument in having some cover because, as we've seen this week, no one has stepped up into either the AM or right wing role in their absence.  It would be cover though because I can't see us having the luxury of bringing someone in that would be a better first choice.  Interesting that we're complaining about creativity this pre-season when neither have played much in the roles we're talking about.

This argument is predicated on the assumption both stay which is probably unlikely. So, in that case, yeah, we need to get some players in that are better than the understudies we currently have.  That's a fair argument.  Better than Fernandes and Dibling just doesn't seem either likely or feasible.  

[saintant]

44 minutes ago, revolution saint said:

I definitely see the argument in having some cover because, as we've seen this week, no one has stepped up into either the AM or right wing role in their absence.  It would be cover though because I can't see us having the luxury of bringing someone in that would be a better first choice.  Interesting that we're complaining about creativity this pre-season when neither have played much in the roles we're talking about.

This argument is predicated on the assumption both stay which is probably unlikely. So, in that case, yeah, we need to get some players in that are better than the understudies we currently have.  That's a fair argument.  Better than Fernandes and Dibling just doesn't seem either likely or feasible.  

I haven't argued for better than Fernandes and Dibling - I'm advocating for a player who offers something different in terms of creativity.

[Smirking_Saint]

3 hours ago, Chez said:

Once Spurs failed to get him, there was no suitor, so he took the massive pay rise.

Just the whole release clause activated then the club throwing toys out the prams just odd

[Smirking_Saint]

20 minutes ago, saintant said:

I haven't argued for better than Fernandes and Dibling - I'm advocating for a player who offers something different in terms of creativity.

Who can get that will potentially  offers more than those two in this division?

[saintant]

Just now, Smirking_Saint said:

Who can get that will potentially  offers more than those two in this division?

I give up 🙂

[Harry_SFC]

Just now, saintant said:

I give up 🙂

I see your point. Fernandes is not a creative midfielder - he's all action and very good at driving with the ball but not a natural number 10. More of an 8. Whilst Dibling has huge potential and shows flashes of it, he is a bit too selfish ATM and hasn't yet shown he can create big chances for other players. 

[S-Clarke]

Quarshie will automatically look good to us because of those that have gone before. We've not had this sort of athletic/powerful/quick CB for absolutely donkeys years, we've focused on footballing CB's and ignored the physical attributes required. Maybe ABK was supposed to be that sort, and he was at the start (ish), but he turned into a moron so we just have to hope Quarshie is a little more level headed.

It's refreshing to see a CB with some power and pace about them, and not someone who is always running after an attacker. He's got a lot to learn, but on physical attributes alone he should be pretty regular next season.

[gio1saints]

My “in with the new, out with the old “ aggressive starting 11 v Wrexham :            

             Downs

Robinson          Dibling

             new #10

Charles Downes Fernandes 

 Wood   Smashie  Edwards 
            
            Ramsdale

Edited Sunday at 12:42 by gio1saints

[S-Clarke]

Just now, gio1saints said:

My in with the new, out with the old “ aggressive starting 11 v Wrexham :            

             Downs

Robinson          Dibling

             new #10

Charles Downes Fernandes 

 Wood   Smashie  Edwards 
            
            Ramsdale

Why put Fernandes in a midfield 3? He's your 10. We technically don't need to sign anyone to get that 11 as you put it, but I would want a better player (Starting player) on that left side, it's a big problem area for us.

Charles and Downes should be the CM's behind Fernandes.

Wellington/Manning, Quarshie, Edwards and Suguwara as the back 4. Flat back 4, with extra width provided by the full backs. 

[Teamsaint1]

David Brooks would look a good fit , esp if AA goes which he seems to want to . At least he did in the Jan window.

I suspect that AA is one of those that the manager referred to as wanting away .

Others on the “ want away” list might be Ramsdale ( obviously) Aribo, Janny B , Sugawara given his lack of involvement , THB ?
 

anybody got a decent quesstimate of how much cash we still need to raise this summer ? We must still need a decent chunk of cash inwards, maybe £30m ? We must have reckoned on a big fee for one of Dibling or MF, plus recouping the fees and wages for Ramsdale and THB ?

[gio1saints]

10 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Why put Fernandes in a midfield 3? He's your 10. We technically don't need to sign anyone to get that 11 as you put it, but I would want a better player (Starting player) on that left side, it's a big problem area for us.

Charles and Downes should be the CM's behind Fernandes.

Wellington/Manning, Quarshie, Edwards and Suguwara as the back 4. Flat back 4, with extra width provided by the full backs. 

He may well be but I’d prefer we did buy a #10 AND have MF in the team. This lot take too long to look dangerous. You put a player like DD on and he does not get a pass on debut fir 30 mins until JR shows how it’s done tells you a lot. RS not getting the ball when he is on either same story. Our nominated Goal scorers not getting service is a big problem needs solving.
 

I’ve also avoided putting in players that I don’t think are up to it. The ten saints players I put on the pitch above are arguably the top ten players we have. changing it around to slot in a not as good player may work but I’d rather add a new player who is obviously a #10. MF can be - but with our lack of attacking guile I want another one on the pitch to solve that service to glaciers issue - ideally can run fast as well. 

Edited Sunday at 12:55 by gio1saints

[Chez]

1 hour ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Just the whole release clause activated then the club throwing toys out the prams just odd

Player was tapped up and they didn't like it, just as we weren't with VVD. I am not sure why any clubs get annoyed. Everyone does it - speaks to the players agent, finds out if he'd like a move, what kind of wages he would want and possibly how much the selling club might let hi go for. Seems pretty standard.

[Chez]

3 hours ago, revolution saint said:

I reckon one of the right backs could be on that list too.  Sugawara doesn't seem to have played many minutes and Bree is coming into the last year of his contract so club might be looking to see if they can get some sort of fee for him.  Right back is one of the few areas where we seem to have had some links too.

Watching the first half highlights it was noticeable how good the first touch Wellington was, which was needed as Espanyol didn't give us much room. From what I have seen of Sugawara, his touch has been poor, so he might well be someone we want to offload. Bree is a sold enough player, but he doesn't excel. Edwards isn't a right back. We have bodies, but improvement in that position is very much possible should players depart. Not sure we have a queue of teams after Sugawar and Bree.

[Badger]

3 hours ago, saintant said:

I thought Dragan promised us a defender, a forward and a midfielder without having to sell players - we have a defender and forward but not the midfielder he mentioned.

 

3 hours ago, beatlesaint said:

He did, and we've got the defender and the striker as you say but rumour is the midfielder has "gone cold" so whether that means Fernandes is staying along with Dibling only time will tell.

This may seem a bit pedantic and somewhere on the MLG spectrum but I don’t think he ‘promised’ signings, just that there were three positions that were prioritised for replacement without looking to sell first. 
 

The MF from rumour was the Armenian bloke who wasn’t interested, leaving us to look elsewhere. 

[Marsdinho]

You see loads of deals where "personal terms have already been agreed" before a deal with the selling club has been finalised. 

If that's the case then the player was tapped up surely?

Happens all the time!

[LoyalSaintSO50]

19 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Why put Fernandes in a midfield 3? He's your 10. We technically don't need to sign anyone to get that 11 as you put it, but I would want a better player (Starting player) on that left side, it's a big problem area for us.

Charles and Downes should be the CM's behind Fernandes.

Wellington/Manning, Quarshie, Edwards and Suguwara as the back 4. Flat back 4, with extra width provided by the full backs. 

Why Sugawara? Been a massive disappointment and one I’d imagine we’re hopeful we can get shot of and recoup some of the outlay 

[Badger]

9 minutes ago, Chez said:

Player was tapped up and they didn't like it, just as we weren't with VVD. I am not sure why any clubs get annoyed. Everyone does it - speaks to the players agent, finds out if he'd like a move, what kind of wages he would want and possibly how much the selling club might let hi go for. Seems pretty standard.

Gone are the days of having a bid accepted before speaking with the player. Now the negotiations seem to be in place with the agent before the players club are made aware of the interest.

I remember Lawrie whilst our DOF (mid 90’s) saying that clubs would be talking to agents about their players who might be available in 12-18months time. 

[Chez]

1 minute ago, Badger said:

 

This may seem a bit pedantic and somewhere on the MLG spectrum but I don’t think he ‘promised’ signings, just that there were three positions that were prioritised for replacement without looking to sell first. 
 

The MF from rumour was the Armenian bloke who wasn’t interested, leaving us to look elsewhere. 

agreed and if the AMs they have identified have all turned out to be out of reach at this point, then perhaps they need to wait until the window is closing and the players they want have no better offers. 

[Badger]

2 minutes ago, Marsdinho said:

You see loads of deals where "personal terms have already been agreed" before a deal with the selling club has been finalised. 

If that's the case then the player was tapped up surely?

Happens all the time!

I’d agree with your interpretation but I think the ‘tapping up’ is bypassed  as clubs are - as I understand it - able to speak with the agents, but not directly with the player. Nonsense of course, but seems to be the way of the world. 

[Fabrice29]

Issue with MGW seems to not be "tapping up" necessarily but more the reveal of the release clause that I suspect has annoyed Forest more. If the Donley rumours are true, I imagine that would have put that move on a further delay too. Will need to wait until their tour is over as I imagine he's now going on that. 

[macca155]

3 hours ago, saintant said:

I thought Dragan promised us a defender, a forward and a midfielder without having to sell players - we have a defender and forward but not the midfielder he mentioned.

They've delivered on two of those. They can't commit to a midfielder yet, just two many on the books. As I said players have to leave first.

I suspect Aribo, Smallbone, Fernades (sadly) and Downes will move on. That will hopefully loosen things up a bit.

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, macca155 said:

They've delivered on two of those. They can't commit to a midfielder yet, just two many on the books. As I said players have to leave first.

I suspect Aribo, Smallbone, Fernades (sadly) and Downes will move on. That will hopefully loosen things up a bit.

not what was said by Dragon himself

[macca155]

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

not what was said by Dragon himself

I wouldn't take what was said at face value too much. He was setting out a vision really. Underneath all our football priorities lies a business that has to remain solvent.

[AlexLaw76]

6 minutes ago, macca155 said:

I wouldn't take what was said at face value too much. He was setting out a vision really. Underneath all our football priorities lies a business that has to remain solvent.

Why not take what he said at face value, he was pretty clear with what came out of his mouth

[Barsiem]

I think it's most likely that we haven't been able to secure whoever our target was for the AM position, rather than any misdirection on Dragon's part.  I guess either that's because the player in question has signed elsewhere, or we haven't been able to agree terms with their current club

[Saint NL]

https://the72.co.uk/2025/07/27/ipswich-town-make-huge-contract-offer-in-20m-middlesbrough-star-chase/

Ipswich offering £20m for Hayden Hackney. Mad figures for championship teams 

[chivvy]

 Antman From Go Ahead eagles ..sheff United lead the chase allegedly. Thought he would  above championship level. 

 

[SWLondon Saint]

Attacking players of the kind who can open up defences, whether strikers or midfielders, are the most in demand players in football. Any of them who are any good will be hoping that once the big business like Gyokeres and Isak are finally done, they'll be able to get a move to a smaller Champs League or Europa League club, failing that a top tier league in Europe. And almost certainly, they'll wait as long as possible to see where the dice fall.

This is exactly what happened last year with the kid from Celtic, who eventually went to Brighton so we ended up going for Fernandes. Except we'll be one step even *later* in that chain as we're not in the PL any more. Common sense says if we are after anyone decent, they will have other interest, and we only get them if / when the bigger fish say no. So patience, grasshoppers... 🦗 

[pimpin4rizeal]

On 26/07/2025 at 13:10, Matthew Le God said:

Don't judge them on a pre-season friendly, then. Look at how they've done when they've had full Championship seasons.

Totally with you on this.  We have so many top level proven championship performers yet people think they are now not good enough just because they wasn’t in the premier league? .

[ally_uk]

Get rid: 

Bednarek, Wood, Bella Kotchap

One of Adam Armstrong / Diaz 

Aribo, Smallbone

 

Only sell if money is decent: 

Ramsdale, Harwood Belis, Dibs, Fernandes, 

 

 

[Smirking_Saint]

5 hours ago, saintant said:

I give up 🙂

But you’re basing their creativity from a Prem season where effectively nobody came away with much credit, it was almost impossible for any of them to look particularly ‘creative’

I will say though, both Dibling and Fernandes were the only two that looked like they could affect premier quality opposition, so I find it difficult to believe they wouldn’t be a huge cut above in the Championship.

For me, a front 4 of Robinson, Fernandes, Dibling and hopefully a striker with ability and confidence is too much for this level, throw in a firing AA somehow and its more than capable

[trousers]

3 hours ago, macca155 said:

I wouldn't take what was said at face value too much. He was setting out a vision really. Underneath all our football priorities lies a business that has to remain solvent.

 

3 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Why not take what he said at face value, he was pretty clear with what came out of his mouth

I'm inclined to agree with Alex.... Dragan was pretty explicit in what he was saying, rather than giving some kind of vague non-committal "business vision"...

[Gloucester Saint]

4 hours ago, Saint NL said:

https://the72.co.uk/2025/07/27/ipswich-town-make-huge-contract-offer-in-20m-middlesbrough-star-chase/

Ipswich offering £20m for Hayden Hackney. Mad figures for championship teams 

Source is Alan Nixon, take with a Scafell Pike sized pinch of salt.

[macca155]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

 

I'm inclined to agree with Alex.... Dragan was pretty explicit in what he was saying, rather than giving some kind of vague non-committal "business vision"...

Fair enough and no doubt there is a lot of action going on behind the scenes. 

We wait with baited breath

[Saint Neil]

Exciting next few weeks we were promised, strap in!

[saintant]

5 hours ago, Barsiem said:

I think it's most likely that we haven't been able to secure whoever our target was for the AM position, rather than any misdirection on Dragon's part.  I guess either that's because the player in question has signed elsewhere, or we haven't been able to agree terms with their current club

I'd hope we had more than one target.

[Badger]

5 hours ago, chivvy said:

 Antman From Go Ahead eagles ..sheff United lead the chase allegedly. Thought he would  above championship level. 

 

We were also linked. Google search today mentions Rangers as being after him 

[saintant]

1 hour ago, Saint Neil said:

Exciting next few weeks we were promised, strap in!

That was two weeks ago 🙂

[SuperSAINT]