Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

[Le Timmier]

27 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I think this week will tell us a lot. If I had started this summer and had 8.6 million to spend on one player (an absolutely massive amount of cash let's not forget), Downs would not have been the player I went for. He's going to have to really go some to justify that price tag. He's going to have to start justifying it this season, not be someone like Charles whose value is now paying off after three years. 

Who does your brother-in-law think we should sign? With his connections from his playing days he must have a few red hot tips

[verlaine1979]

For the money and his age, Downs should be able to come into the Champ and look right at home. Maybe he's nervous and will settle in a game or two, but at the moment he doesn't have the first touch of a player who is going to turn into a real factor in the league.

[Pat from Poole]

3 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Saints have sold Juan Santos to Göztepe. Quick profit for PSR. 

 

 

You absolute clown.

[lambtiss]

8 hours ago, Smirking_Saint said:

I don’t think Quarshie was a first team signing for a start 

Downs was, and I think so far he looks dissapointing but its very early days, maybe we could of pushed for Ivanovic, not sure what Millwall would want.. Sargeant ? Norwich want 25m apparently which is frankly mental

My point is, we’re in the Champ, we aren’t really signing better than Azaz or Rudoni, Id even take Brooks on loan if he becomes available

Anyone expecting more than that is delusional

Saints spent €25m on  Sullemana and €18million on Onuachu. That makes £25million for Sargent seem extremely sane, especially if his goals takes us back to the PL.

[Saint86]

8 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

And even looking outside of the Champ, how were Sunderland able to find Wilson Isidor, or Coventry finding Sakamoto or Wright - or Hamer before he went to Sheff U. These players are out there.

Birmingham signing Kyogo for £7m, or Stansfield on loan when they were down here last. The players are there, but we seem obsessed with finding the next kid or injured player.

Huge part of the issue here is that one of the first things sports republic / rasmus did when they took over, was to deconstruct the existing scouting and recruitment setup at the club. Fundamental changes in the way it worked, large staff turnover, and a lot of the knowledge and practices lost permanently. Only started trying to rebuild this back to a comparable level this year post spors joining - but it will take time. Sadly we're also trying to do that from a lower place on the pyramid, with reduced attractiveness and money for staff and players. SR have hugely damaged saints since they got in, and we're all still waiting to see some kind of promise that they can re-establish us in the prem.

Edited Tuesday at 06:40 by Saint86

[Toadhall Saint]

Any new links?

[Saint NL]

18 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Any new links?

There won't be any.

We're going for the "Fabrizio didn't tweet it" trophy 🔥🔥🔥

[trousers]

26 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Any new links?

https://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/new-north-sea-links

 

[Smirking_Saint]

1 hour ago, lambtiss said:

Saints spent €25m on  Sullemana and €18million on Onuachu. That makes £25million for Sargent seem extremely sane, especially if his goals takes us back to the PL.

I dunno… Im not sure we should be repeating past mistakes tbh

I certainly wouldn’t be signing him after spunking 9m on Downs

It puts us in the same predicament that if we spend 25m on Sargeant who likely won’t cut it in the prem we then have to shift and find that money again, which weakens our PSR position

PSR is such a shit system it just absolutely weakens everyone’s position not in the top 6 of the PL

[saint michael]

So just to sum up.
 

We have known we are down for months, Spors has been identified as the messiah that will turn around recruitment and many changes were mentioned and so far we have signed quarshie, Long and Downs…. But do not worry there is still a week to go where all the fantastic signings are coming in and the type of player we will sign is not reflected by those signed so far….hmmmm

[LGTL]

6 minutes ago, saint michael said:

So just to sum up.
 

We have known we are down for months, Spors has been identified as the messiah that will turn around recruitment and many changes were mentioned and so far we have signed quarshie, Long and Downs…. But do not worry there is still a week to go where all the fantastic signings are coming in and the type of player we will sign is not reflected by those signed so far….hmmmm

Don’t forget - there’s absolutely nobody else suitable we could buy. No players, nada, not one. 

Despite that, this very thread has identified about 20 realistic players who would instantly improve the starting 11. 

[Disco Stu]

Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond are both training with Sheffield United with a view to signing permanently.

[hypochondriac]

Living in hope we just sign a brilliant player with no previous links. Whilst there's time there's hope. 

[hypochondriac]

25 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

I dunno… Im not sure we should be repeating past mistakes tbh

I certainly wouldn’t be signing him after spunking 9m on Downs

It puts us in the same predicament that if we spend 25m on Sargeant who likely won’t cut it in the prem we then have to shift and find that money again, which weakens our PSR position

PSR is such a shit system it just absolutely weakens everyone’s position not in the top 6 of the PL

That's the bit people have an issue with. And who is to say Norwich are in a position to turn down 20? Sell Fernandes, smallbone, aribo and get Azaz and Sargent and two wingers on loan from the prem and we will go up imo. You won't get a better championship striker for the money even if there are doubts about him in the prem. 

[lambtiss]

29 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

I dunno… Im not sure we should be repeating past mistakes tbh

I certainly wouldn’t be signing him after spunking 9m on Downs

It puts us in the same predicament that if we spend 25m on Sargeant who likely won’t cut it in the prem we then have to shift and find that money again, which weakens our PSR position

PSR is such a shit system it just absolutely weakens everyone’s position not in the top 6 of the PL

So, what are you suggesting. Accepting our fate with a shrug of the shoulders? 

I look at it this way, the best opportunity that we have of returning to the PL is this season (and next). As regards PSR, we have more money from sales this season than we will have in the following seasons, if we stay in the Championship. 

The only way we are going to go up is by improving the quality of the current starting 11, especially offensively. So, if we don't improve that with quality players like Sargent, we are not going up and quality players cost money, so we have to spend it. The alternative is a gradual atrophy of the team. 

 

[Toadhall Saint]

9 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

That's the bit people have an issue with. And who is to say Norwich are in a position to turn down 20? Sell Fernandes, smallbone, aribo and get Azaz and Sargent and two wingers on loan from the prem and we will go up imo. You won't get a better championship striker for the money even if there are doubts about him in the prem. 

if I remember correctly there were doubts about Sir Ricky L being good enough for the champ/prem. 

[tdmickey3]

22 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Living in hope we just sign a brilliant player with no previous links. Whilst there's time there's hope. 

Its the hope that kills

[LuckyNumber7]

2 hours ago, lambtiss said:

Saints spent €25m on  Sullemana and €18million on Onuachu. That makes £25million for Sargent seem extremely sane, especially if his goals takes us back to the PL.

In the Premier League. There's no way we're spending that much on one player in the Championship and nor should we. I'd be horrified if we spunked £25m on Sargent, who really isn't that great anyway.

[benjii]

1 hour ago, Saint86 said:

Huge part of the issue here is that one of the first things sports republic / rasmus did when they took over, was to deconstruct the existing scouting and recruitment setup at the club. Fundamental changes in the way it worked, large staff turnover, and a lot of the knowledge and practices lost permanently. Only started trying to rebuild this back to a comparable level this year post spors joining - but it will take time. Sadly we're also trying to do that from a lower place on the pyramid, with reduced attractiveness and money for staff and players. SR have hugely damaged saints since they got in, and we're all still waiting to see some kind of promise that they can re-establish us in the prem.

It wasn't broke....

[benjii]

37 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond are both training with Sheffield United with a view to signing permanently.

When Redmond left, imagine how many Saints fans would have believed we would never have a better player again!

[DT]

Looking forward to seeing the second rate dross we spend some of the Dibling money on. Why can’t we recruit good players? Downs looks absolute gash

[EBS1980]

can’t wait for the meltdown when Sugawara only goes on loan with option to buy rather than sold.

 

 

[Gloucester Saint]

12 hours ago, Turkish said:

They said when they arrived they are a player trading organisation. Which means the performances on the pitch don’t matter it’s about buying low selling high. £40m clear profit for Tyler means it’s been another summer of success 

This is the crux of why it won’t work between our fanbase and SR. We might make the odd decent signing and scrape a win over Pompey to paper the cracks but ultimately what both parties want and see as success is totally different.

Whether business or personal, that only ever ends one way. 

[S-Clarke]

1 hour ago, Saint86 said:

Huge part of the issue here is that one of the first things sports republic / rasmus did when they took over, was to deconstruct the existing scouting and recruitment setup at the club. Fundamental changes in the way it worked, large staff turnover, and a lot of the knowledge and practices lost permanently. Only started trying to rebuild this back to a comparable level this year post spors joining - but it will take time. Sadly we're also trying to do that from a lower place on the pyramid, with reduced attractiveness and money for staff and players. SR have hugely damaged saints since they got in, and we're all still waiting to see some kind of promise that they can re-establish us in the prem.

Things weren't perfect before they came in, our scouting was still pretty shocking and we had gaps in the side - but you'd have to say we had a better base than we have today. What they should have done was used their investment to strategically target areas of concern, build up gaps and add quality in 1 or 2 places - but no, they decided to rip absolutely everything apart and start again when that wasn't needed.

[Gloucester Saint]

3 minutes ago, EBS1980 said:

can’t wait for the meltdown when Sugawara only goes on loan with option to buy rather than sold.

 

 

Already known about on the player’s thread to Bremen and the poorly-timed and tacky Long announcement overshadowed it. SR have bought so many 🍋 they should open a sherbet factory. Sounds like he’s only a stop gap and they are another club in large decline. So he should fit in well.

[SWLondon Saint]

6 minutes ago, EBS1980 said:

can’t wait for the meltdown when Sugawara only goes on loan with option to buy rather than sold.

I've said this is the obvious outcome for ages as he can't simultaneously be the worst full back half the forum claims to have ever seen and also be easily sellable and replaceable with a better player.

Loan makes the most sense as if he plays and does well he'll regain some value. If he doesn't we're stuck with him till his contract ends. Dunno why people seem to be hoping he barely plays as that's actually bad for us...

[benjii]

6 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Things weren't perfect before they came in, our scouting was still pretty shocking and we had gaps in the side - but you'd have to say we had a better base than we have today. What they should have done was used their investment to strategically target areas of concern, build up gaps and add quality in 1 or 2 places - but no, they decided to rip absolutely everything apart and start again when that wasn't needed.

If it ain't broke...

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, SWLondon Saint said:

I've said this is the obvious outcome for ages as he can't simultaneously be the worst full back half the forum claims to have ever seen and also be easily sellable and replaceable with a better player.

Loan makes the most sense as if he plays and does well he'll regain some value. If he doesn't we're stuck with him till his contract ends. Dunno why people seem to be hoping he barely plays as that's actually bad for us...

I think it’s because his agent is an even bigger day dreamer than Joe Aribo’s, with links made to Napoli and even PSG (?!) which you’d have to be on LSD to take seriously.

Rasmus and Martin swallowed it though Quelle surprise 

[Matthew Le God]

Verona want Bella-Kotchap 

On loan...

https://www.alfredopedulla.com/bella-kotchap-hellas-verona-blitz/

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 08:40 by Matthew Le God

[CSA96]

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, CSA96 said:

Handball!

[benjii]

Seems to me that the only major, major problem under Gao (ignoring shenanigans with the fake sponsor etc.) was lack of funds.

We got an owner that seemed willing to put funds in - not at Abu Dhabi / Riyadh / Russian mafia levels, but still more than Gao - but they've chosen to couple the funds with batshit stupid decision making.

[saint michael]

Look at the out of contract players. Could make a decent side out of them. Offer short term contracts and spend a year truly investing in future team 

[Charlie Wayman]

31 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

That's the bit people have an issue with. And who is to say Norwich are in a position to turn down 20? Sell Fernandes, smallbone, aribo and get Azaz and Sargent and two wingers on loan from the prem and we will go up imo. You won't get a better championship striker for the money even if there are doubts about him in the prem. 

So many "if's" but your optimism is surely misplaced?

We've had 10 weeks of this transfer window and have failed to shift any of those players or bring in anybody of any significant quality. What on earth makes you think or believe that anything will change for the better in this final week?

It won't! It suggests very strongly that SR aren't that interested in Saints plight this season.

I wouldn't mind a small wager that SR are close to pulling the plug on Saints, in the meantime raking in the cash from whatever assets they can sell beforehand.

[tdmickey3]

I know this is gonna sound sort of a bit crazy but here goes....

Any chance of actually signing someone and not just a pointless squad filler who wont ever play... (apparently)

[beatlesaint]

1 hour ago, saint michael said:

So just to sum up.
 

We have known we are down for months, Spors has been identified as the messiah that will turn around recruitment and many changes were mentioned and so far we have signed quarshie, Long and Downs…. But do not worry there is still a week to go where all the fantastic signings are coming in and the type of player we will sign is not reflected by those signed so far….hmmmm

In a nutshell, yep ! 

The club have had in effect 8 months to attack this window and get some Championship at least quality in but no, we are less that a week to go and weve in a nutshell done fuck all.......and I firmly believe another striker aint coming in, Downs is it so best he starts hitting the ground pretty quickly. 

[Mr Saints]

Keep seeing it being mentioned that Sugawara is moving on as not playing in a top league harms his international chances.  Being completely shite at football is also surely harming his chances?

[Convict Colony]

27 minutes ago, benjii said:

When Redmond left, imagine how many Saints fans would have believed we would never have a better player again!

Whilst i agree he was elite at getting the ball in the final 3rd and then turning around and passing back, we've seem some experts at it since then.

[Turkish]

8 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

In a nutshell, yep ! 

The club have had in effect 8 months to attack this window and get some Championship at least quality in but no, we are less that a week to go and weve in a nutshell done fuck all.......and I firmly believe another striker aint coming in, Downs is it so best he starts hitting the ground pretty quickly. 

we made most of our signings for this season last summer so they could have a year playing together and get off to a flying start. Oh wait.....

[Lee On Solent Saint]

19 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

Is the guy on the right Face from the A-Team?

[BARCELONASAINT]

There has been an awful lot written in the last few pages about our disastrous recruitment in the last few seasons which has carried on into this season....or so some think! Now i don't disagree with anyone that our recruitment thus far has been nothing short of disastrous in the main but a line should now be drawn. 

Judge the new recruitment team on who they bring in from last week....that is when their first recruited player entered the building Mads Roerslev. The second is the third choice keeper from Norwich (which was exactly the profile they were asked to get, a third choice!)

Damion Downes and Quarsie transfers had already been agreed prior to the new setup taking control and the new head a recruitment having anything to do with!

Hopefully we will see some more solid incomings in the ilk of Mads Roerslev.

[tdmickey3]

FAO Mr Spors

[macca155]

15 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

I know this is gonna sound sort of a bit crazy but here goes....

Any chance of actually signing someone and not just a pointless squad filler who wont ever play... (apparently)

I share your frustration but don't hold your breath. The squad is too big and unless they ship out a bunch quickly, there is no room, or time to get replacements in. 

Unbelievably ABK, Edozie, Smallbone, Aribo, and Taylor are still on the books. They must be 12 to 15 million of wages right there. How inept to allow yourself to get in that position. 

Mads was a good signing, for the championship, oven ready FB. I just hope they have a few more of those lined up. 

[Wsaint]

10 hours ago, Pat from Poole said:

You absolute clown.

Very angry over one twitter post. Maybe get an earlier night tonight Patty!

[Ekelund]

14 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Is the guy on the right Face from the A-Team?

No.

[hypochondriac]

53 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Things weren't perfect before they came in, our scouting was still pretty shocking and we had gaps in the side - but you'd have to say we had a better base than we have today. What they should have done was used their investment to strategically target areas of concern, build up gaps and add quality in 1 or 2 places - but no, they decided to rip absolutely everything apart and start again when that wasn't needed.

"if it isn't broken consider breaking it". Edit: see someone beat me to it! 

Edited Tuesday at 09:21 by hypochondriac

[hypochondriac]

12 minutes ago, BARCELONASAINT said:

There has been an awful lot written in the last few pages about our disastrous recruitment in the last few seasons which has carried on into this season....or so some think! Now i don't disagree with anyone that our recruitment thus far has been nothing short of disastrous in the main but a line should now be drawn. 

Judge the new recruitment team on who they bring in from last week....that is when their first recruited player entered the building Mads Roerslev. The second is the third choice keeper from Norwich (which was exactly the profile they were asked to get, a third choice!)

Damion Downes and Quarsie transfers had already been agreed prior to the new setup taking control and the new head a recruitment having anything to do with!

Hopefully we will see some more solid incomings in the ilk of Mads Roerslev.

Why on earth would we agree to spend almost 9 million pounds in the championship on a striker that our new head of recruitment had nothing to do with? What madness is that? 

[BARCELONASAINT]

3 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Why on earth would we agree to spend almost 9 million pounds in the championship on a striker that our new head of recruitment had nothing to do with? What madness is that? 

Like it or not that is the hard truth of the situation!

[CSA96]

11 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Why on earth would we agree to spend almost 9 million pounds in the championship on a striker that our new head of recruitment had nothing to do with? What madness is that? 

Head of Recruitment is responsible for organising the heads of scouting, the scouting logistics, arranging and managing the processes and approaches we take, a lot of operational management and presenting options and profiles of interest - the final decision is still taken by the Sporting Director, in accordance with the manager and the exec board to sign off, so I guess that's why

Spors was responsible for hiring Lederer, knew he was coming, they've worked together before and they will have been in contact with him before his official start date too, so I'm sure it was pretty joined up in reality

Edited Tuesday at 09:32 by CSA96

[saintant]

50 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

Why are the two blokes either side of him smiling?