Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

[Farmer Saint]

9 minutes ago, trousers said:

Other than justifying the existence of Sky Sports News twice a year, what's the point of transfer windows at all? I don't recall it being an issue that clubs could sell or buy players whenever they wanted throughout the year back in the day. Maybe I'm missing something obvious...

Because it means rich teams can buy themselves out of relegation issues/into titles, as well as being able to unsettle players and teams mid-season.

[hypochondriac]

9 minutes ago, trousers said:

Other than justifying the existence of Sky Sports News twice a year, what's the point of transfer windows at all? I don't recall it being an issue that clubs could sell or buy players whenever they wanted throughout the year back in the day. Maybe I'm missing something obvious...

I think removing windows would be awful for a club like saints. At least with them we know that when they shut we have some certainty and can keep our players for a period of time. Without transfer windows we'd have lost Dibling and Fernandes already - probably earlier in the year. 

[hypochondriac]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

Indeed. In fact, didn't one of them say that fans were going to be "very very excited" by our transfer activity this window? (Or have I misremembered them saying that?). I'm still waiting patiently to feel that level of excitement but I trust it's not far away now...

Did someone say that? Or was it some Chinese whispers thing from an itk on here? I lose track. 

[Matthew Le God]

6 minutes ago, trousers said:

Other than justifying the existence of Sky Sports News, what's the point of transfer windows at all? I don't recall it being an issue that clubs could sell or buy players whenever they wanted throughout the year. Maybe I'm missing something obvious...

Transfer windows existed long before Sky Sports News. The Football League introduced a transfer deadline day in the 1950s.

The transfer window closed in late March every year from the 1950s until 2002 when the January window was introduced.

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

Transfer windows existed long before Sky Sports News. The Football League introduced a transfer deadline day in the 1950s.

The transfer window closed in late March every year from the 1950s until 2002 when the January window was introduced.

End of March wasn’t it? Pahars came in on that after a scuffle on the work permit.

[trousers]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

Transfer windows existed long before Sky Sports News. The Football League introduced a transfer deadline day in the 1950s.

The transfer window closed in late March every year from the 1950s until 2002 when the January window was introduced.

Ah, fair enough. Yet more evidence of the Trousers memory cells letting him down once more

[trousers]

4 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

Because it means rich teams can buy themselves out of relegation issues/into titles, as well as being able to unsettle players and teams mid-season.

Fair point 👍🏻

[Badger]

2 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Transfer windows existed long before Sky Sports News. The Football League introduced a transfer deadline day in the 1950s.

The transfer window closed in late March every year from the 1950s until 2002 when the January window was introduced.

The deadline day was a bit different though and I don’t think it was ever considered a “transfer window”.  The deadline day still permitted signings at any other stage (August - end of March) through the season. 

[Gloucester Saint]

43 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

This window was always going to be heavier on the outs than the ins, with the squad we came down with. Two or three more signings before the end of August probably feels about right, so I don't particularly feel that we're behind schedule.

There had to be far more outs than ins, for the last two seasons in the top flight the squad’s been too big to get in one dressing room for a start.

I think we will sign more than 2-3, possibly a couple of permanents and 2-3 on loan late on, but need to shift players even so, and not just the two everyone is talking about for big bucks.
Aribo - Turkish clubs are very slow but he will go, confident of that all along, still three LBs so either Taylor or Manning are going on loan. Wood - unless THB suddenly goes, and even then I think we will replace. There’s a player there with Wood but fancy Martin might swoop in if the fee isn’t too rich. ABK - who knows. Smallbone on a loan as not sure at all if he can operate in Still’s system as a 2.

Unlikely BBD will go though if this hip issue is anything more than a week out, AA won’t get the same wage anywhere else and I think Archer has more to give. Downs only just joined. 

We need to add some pace and unpredictability in wide areas which might liven up the likes of Archer as well through the middle.

Edited Tuesday at 21:28 by Gloucester Saint

[trousers]

4 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

What evidence would you require beyond the manager, owner and chief executive saying we will be making signings? Have you considered the much more likely scenario that we need to sell one or both of the big money players prior to making a big move of our own lest we be stuck with the players if for whatever reason he doesn't end up moving? 

 

16 minutes ago, trousers said:

Indeed. In fact, didn't one of them say that fans were going to be "very very excited" by our transfer activity this window? (Or have I misremembered them saying that?). I'm still waiting patiently to feel that level of excitement but I trust it's not far away now...

 

13 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Did someone say that? Or was it some Chinese whispers thing from an itk on here? I lose track. 

I just tried searching for a quote along these lines but couldn't find it. Could've sworn I read such sentiments a while back. Hey ho, crap memory syndrome strikes again!

[Chez]

6 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Transfer windows existed long before Sky Sports News. The Football League introduced a transfer deadline day in the 1950s.

The transfer window closed in late March every year from the 1950s until 2002 when the January window was introduced.

It wasn't a "transfer window" before 2002 by name or definition. The term was introduced when they changed the rules and created a specified window in which transfers could be made. Prior to that, there was merely a "transfer deadline" after which no transfer could be made until the end of the season. The term 'window' indicates a smaller, limited period of time in which to do deals.

[Badger]

16 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

End of March wasn’t it? Pahars came in on that after a scuffle on the work permit.

Thought Osgood might have been a deadline day signing, certainly close to it,

In the 80’s I think Barry Horne, and Jon Gittens we’re both unexpected deadline day signings.

 

[SaintsLoyal]

I bet we cannot buy anything of note until either Dibling Fernandes are sold.

[hypochondriac]

Just now, SaintsLoyal said:

I bet we cannot buy anything of note until either Dibling Fernandes are sold.

Or far more likely, we want a certain calibre of player and would prefer to go or the best we can once we have the room in the squad and even more money. 

[CB Fry]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Transfer windows existed long before Sky Sports News. The Football League introduced a transfer deadline day in the 1950s.

The transfer window closed in late March every year from the 1950s until 2002 when the January window was introduced.

It was never called a transfer window then, dork. Just a deadline.

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

8 hours ago, Chez said:

We've signed two...this window...and many more prior. Hundreds of millions spent (not particularly wisely I grant you). Not cheap. Not just talk.

I'd say a late signing or two are inevitable.

There you go again with that talk 😉

[Gloucester Saint]

9 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Or far more likely, we want a certain calibre of player and would prefer to go or the best we can once we have the room in the squad and even more money. 

Which I’d actually be supportive of provided they are of a calibre to hit the ground running relatively quickly. 2, 3 or 4 quality players coming in could make a significant difference to making top 2 as long as we don’t fall too far behind during August and September points-wise. SR have clogged the squad up and spread investment too thinly so if it’s quality over quantity this time then yes from me. 

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Which I’d actually be supportive of provided they are of a calibre to hit the ground running relatively quickly. 2, 3 or 4 quality players coming in could make a significant difference to making top 2 as long as we don’t fall too far behind during August and September points-wise. SR have clogged the squad up and spread investment too thinly so if it’s quality over quantity this time then yes from me. 

we will probably start the season with no new players in the first 11

[Give it to Ron]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

we will probably start the season with no new players in the first 11

Think Quarshie will

[Farmer Saint]

9 hours ago, SaintsLoyal said:

I bet we cannot buy anything of note until either Dibling Fernandes are sold.

It's not that we don't have the money, we have too many players and the squad is too large. We need to make some room to bring players in.

[hypochondriac]

4 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Which I’d actually be supportive of provided they are of a calibre to hit the ground running relatively quickly. 2, 3 or 4 quality players coming in could make a significant difference to making top 2 as long as we don’t fall too far behind during August and September points-wise. SR have clogged the squad up and spread investment too thinly so if it’s quality over quantity this time then yes from me. 

That's the gamble and the key question isn't it. If we lose a load of games at the start and then bring in some quality it could be a terrible error. 

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

we will probably start the season with no new players in the first 11

Quarshie probably starts and possibly Downs? Hasn’t played lots of pre-season but must be fairly fit with the US going quite deep into the Gold Cup?

[Miltonaggro]

Oriol Romeu’s contract was terminated at Barca last week allowing him to speak to other clubs. He was at Staplewood yesterday. 
 

Make of that what you will…

[hypochondriac]

3 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

we will probably start the season with no new players in the first 11

Depends what you mean by new. The likes of Robinson, Edwards, Charles aren't technically new but are mostly untainted by last year. 

[hypochondriac]

Just now, Miltonaggro said:

Oriol Romeu’s contract was terminated at Barca last week allowing him to speak to other clubs. He was at Staplewood yesterday. 
 

Make of that what you will…

Source? 

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

Depends what you mean by new. The likes of Robinson, Edwards, Charles aren't technically new but are mostly untainted by last year. 

fair point.

 

[trousers]

Just now, Miltonaggro said:

Oriol Romeu’s contract was terminated at Barca last week allowing him to speak to other clubs. He was at Staplewood yesterday. 
 

Make of that what you will…

Make it so!

[hypochondriac]

4 minutes ago, trousers said:

Make it so!

I know it's all speculation but a midfield to choose between Charles, Downes and even an old Romeu would surely be the best cm in the division. 

[saint michael]

9 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

It's not that we don't have the money, we have too many players and the squad is too large. We need to make some room to bring players in.

If they have the money and believe they can sell the players it’s a cash flow issue. If they don’t believe they can shift the players sitting tight makes sense till shifting some. Situation feels a bit confused when saying they want players. I think boss said in interview that we would only bring couple in till shifting unwanted players. Big question is are they missing out on the desired targets with this strategy.

[Willo of Whiteley]

12 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Oriol Romeu’s contract was terminated at Barca last week allowing him to speak to other clubs. He was at Staplewood yesterday. 
 

Make of that what you will…

Well that’s absolute bollocks 😂

[Turkish]

15 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Oriol Romeu’s contract was terminated at Barca last week allowing him to speak to other clubs. He was at Staplewood yesterday. 
 

Make of that what you will…

Forgot the fact he’s a former player this would be a very good deal bringing him in as a squad player this year. Played 28 games in La Liga last season. 
 

my sources tell me Girona want him where he’s been on loan so unlikely unfortunately 

Edited Wednesday at 07:36 by Turkish

[Miltonaggro]

20 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Forgot the fact he’s a former player this would be a very good deal bringing him in as a squad player this year. Played 28 games in La Liga last season. 
 

my sources tell me Girona want him where he’s been on loan so unlikely unfortunately 

Absolutely, would be perfect fit for a Still side. Chances are he stays in northern Spain, but perhaps he fancies an SFC finale! 

[Matthew Le God]

 

 

[Saint Fan CaM]

1 minute ago, Miltonaggro said:

Absolutely, would be perfect fit for a Still side. Chances are he stays in northern Spain, but perhaps he fancies an SFC finale! 

Highly unlikely we’ll see Romeu back here, however I have to say him coming in would be a huge boost for the club and the particularly the fans. Probably one of our most influential midfielders of the last 15-20 years in my view. He would improve the squad immediately…just the type of signing required. Sadly a pipe dream.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Rento Takaoka has gone to sister-club in France. Shock 🤣

[Matthew Le God]

Why is that confusing? @Saint Fan CaM

[ChristopheVAFC]

2 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Rento Takaoka has gone to sister-club in France. Shock 🤣

We'll take good care of it, my friend!

[hypochondriac]

48 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Oriol Romeu’s contract was terminated at Barca last week allowing him to speak to other clubs. He was at Staplewood yesterday. 
 

Make of that what you will…

Own up - do you know for a fact he was at Staplewood yesterday or is that some randomer on twitter claiming that to be the case? 

[Willo of Whiteley]

A quick Twitter search show nothing of the sort. 
It’s absolute bollocks. 😂

[OldNick]

I read somewhere Saints were interested in the Coventry midfielder (cant remember his name!) he was pretty good when I watched him in the play off games v Sunderland. He seemed to be a boxto box player and a good engine

[hypochondriac]

4 minutes ago, OldNick said:

I read somewhere Saints were interested in the Coventry midfielder (cant remember his name!) he was pretty good when I watched him in the play off games v Sunderland. He seemed to be a boxto box player and a good engine

Rudoni? I haven't seen a link. 

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, Miltonaggro said:

Oriol Romeu’s contract was terminated at Barca last week allowing him to speak to other clubs. He was at Staplewood yesterday. 
 

Make of that what you will…

Ties in with the Alfie House rumour that we might be signing a former Saint. 

Edited Wednesday at 08:30 by Saint86

[OldNick]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

Rudoni? I haven't seen a link. 

Thats the one, thanks. I saw it a couple of weeks ago, but probably just useless rumour. I think it was on X

[gio1saints]

11 hours ago, Farmer Saint said:

Because it means rich teams can buy themselves out of relegation issues/into titles, as well as being able to unsettle players and teams mid-season.

In theory the transfer window also encourages football clubs to think more strategically.
 

Planning ahead is important in any business - and football IS a business. That approach was not very well understood or considered relevant to many professional football teams way back then - when chairmen and owners were usually locals who supported the club & the community in general. A socio-economic phenomenon of its time. 
 

It has grandfathered since then and today it’s big business run by often international organisations. These want reliability, consistency and plan-ability more than anything else. Planning for profit. Window is good for that. 


Sone people, myself included, argue that this artificially imposed buying and selling deadline now harms poorer clubs and by consequence harms grass roots football ~ more than it supports it. And needs upgrading/improvement. 
 

Footballers are human beings- not something you can optimally assemble on a production line in time for the next deadline for delivery. This system breeds inefficiency accordingly. 
 

Inevitably the prime ambition of a lower league club - let’s say Scunthorpe is not to win matches but to unearth a 17year star. That’s not what we want lower league football to be ALL about surely? Will a Scunthorpe ever rise to the EPL under the current rules? No. Or very very unlikely. Anything that improves competitiveness and the ability of lower league clubs to ascend is a good thing. I don’t think the current transfer window does that any more- if it ever did. 
 

And no I do not offer an alternative just pointing out current system needs improvement. 

Edited Wednesday at 08:29 by gio1saints

[hypochondriac]

2 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Ties in with the Alfie House rumour that we're signing a former Saint. 

When was this rumour? I've seen most of what Alfie has written this summer and I haven't seen that. 

[benjii]

1 hour ago, Miltonaggro said:

Oriol Romeu’s contract was terminated at Barca last week allowing him to speak to other clubs. He was at Staplewood yesterday. 
 

Make of that what you will…

PLEASE 

[Farmer Saint]

54 minutes ago, saint michael said:

If they have the money and believe they can sell the players it’s a cash flow issue. If they don’t believe they can shift the players sitting tight makes sense till shifting some. Situation feels a bit confused when saying they want players. I think boss said in interview that we would only bring couple in till shifting unwanted players. Big question is are they missing out on the desired targets with this strategy.

But I'm not sure they believe they can sell the dross, which is the issue. We said we could bring in 3 players I believe. We've brought in 2 and I think we're looking to shift Aribo or BBD (attitude issues) before dropping on an AM. 

I think the Krasnador player's reluctance is giving us the time to get something sorted on the above. As said before transfers don't work to the season schedule, it works to the transfer window so as far as they're concerned there is 4 weeks to go.

[Miltonaggro]

11 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Own up - do you know for a fact he was at Staplewood yesterday or is that some randomer on twitter claiming that to be the case? 

Mentioned to me last night by a pal who was also at the training ground yesterday. No more drama or nonsense than that. 

[Midfield_General]

7 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Ties in with the Alfie House rumour that we're signing a former Saint. 

It’ll end up being Elyonoussi or Hoedt, really give the fans a boost

[ally_uk]

Said we should get Romeu back.... 🤣 crying out for a non nonsense tough tackling mid.