Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

[Disco Stu]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

We need first choice. McCarthy is fine for Chanp 2nd choice. Bazanu out on loan for the next 2 seasons to whoever will take him with us paying most of the wages.

Yeah, I wouldn't want any of them as first choice. We won't need them if McCarthy is happy staying.

[Lighthouse]

3 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

We need first choice. McCarthy is fine for Champ 2nd choice. Bazanu out on loan for the next 2 seasons to whoever will take him with us paying most of the wages.

You've made your point a hundred times over, you need to give it a rest with this. Obsessively posting about Bazunu (deliberately spelling his name wrong is just childish) every couple of hours on multiple threads is just strange behaviour.

[LeG]

First two transfers out ahead of next season - The Sh1t beer and sponsor! 

[Gloucester Saint]

15 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

You've made your point a hundred times over, you need to give it a rest with this. Obsessively posting about Bazunu (deliberately spelling his name wrong is just childish) every couple of hours on multiple threads is just strange behaviour.

And you’ve responded a hundred times over the last two seasons to state that you think he’s a good keeper despite all of the evidence and data to the contrary. You’re entitled to your view as am I.

How do you know I’m spelling it wrong deliberately, maybe it’s unintentional, maybe it’s say dyslexia? You should know better as an admin to make claims like that without back-up. 

He’s the worst keeper I’ve seen in the top two divisions at any club, not just Saints. I really want a clean start next season without giving opponents a goal or two head start, which is what happens when any decent/low shot at our goal is attempted when Gavin is playing. Nothing personal against him any more than it is for Smallbone, Sulemana or any the other players who need a change of scenery. The SR projects need to move on for a more solid spine.

Edited Sunday at 21:55 by Gloucester Saint

[SouSaint]

This transfer window will be our biggest since the 2010 one after the Liebherr takeover. We need leadership on the pitch, especially in the spine of the team. I don't want to see the likes of Jack Stephens anywhere near the starting 11 in August. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

Bazunu would be fine for the Championship, not spectacular, but good enough, more so with a good back four in front of him.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Just now, SouSaint said:

This transfer window will be our biggest since the 2010 one after the Liebherr takeover. We need leadership on the pitch, especially in the spine of the team. I don't want to see the likes of Jack Stephens anywhere near the starting 11 in August. 

I hope Will Still removes captaincy, but I doubt it. 

[Lighthouse]

6 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

And you’ve responded a hundred times over the last two seasons to state that you think he’s a good keeper despite all of the evidence and data to the contrary. You’re entitled to your view as am I.

How do you know I’m spelling it wrong deliberately, maybe it’s unintentional, maybe it’s say dyslexia? You should know better as an admin to make claims like that without back-up. 

He’s the worst keeper I’ve seen in the top two divisions at any club, not just Saints. I really want a clean start next season without giving opponents a goal one two head start, which is what happens when any decent/low shot at our goal is attempted when Gavin is playing. Nothing personal against him any more than it is for Smallbone, Sulemana or any the other players who need a change of scenery. The SR projects need to move on for a more solid spine.

You're on several threads every day posting about it and it's becoming tiresome. Plenty of people don't rate him and have voiced their opinion, you're the only one taking it to a multiple times a day obsession. Give it a rest.

[Willo of Whiteley]

5 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

You're on several threads every day posting about it and it's becoming tiresome. Plenty of people don't rate him and have voiced their opinion, you're the only one taking it to a multiple times a day obsession. Give it a rest.

Can we get Gloucester and Bazunu in a room together? 
Let’s see if he berates or whether he fan-girls up to him. 😂

[Gloucester Saint]

4 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

You're on several threads every day posting about it and it's becoming tiresome. Plenty of people don't rate him and have voiced their opinion, you're the only one taking it to a multiple times a day obsession. Give it a rest.

I’ve posted it what three times tonight. I’ve said my piece and given the multiple links to goalkeepers over the last month I reckon Spors has read the reports from Liege. So I don’t need to post further on it anyway and I’ll focus on the thread for a new keeper if/as/when there is one. Loads of posters have had several goes at Stephens when I think he can do a job (post broken wrist) at the level we are next season for the final year of his contract, but I can just discuss with them that I have a different view.

[Gloucester Saint]

8 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Can we get Gloucester and Bazunu in a room together? 
Let’s see if he berates or whether he fan-girls up to him. 😂

I don’t think he’ll give a toss about what someone posts on a forum. I wouldn’t in his position. I don’t rate him as a goalkeeper as with many on here but I don’t know him as a bloke, he’s probably alright. I’m not someone who has a go at players generally at games in-person as nobody generally runs onto the pitch to have a stinker but I don’t clap failure either as some fans did today but that’s their right as they paid their entry. 

Edited Sunday at 22:16 by Gloucester Saint

[Willo of Whiteley]

I don’t disagree with the above, I stopped going way earlier in the season, probably haven’t clapped since the play off final last season.

They're all multi millionaires doing a job that doesn’t matter, and this season is only be happy to see one or two stick around.

[St. Ciervo]

7 hours ago, Göztepe said:

Your players have gained experience, if you were to sell Juan today, you would have transferred him for at least 3.5 million euros, 800 thousand euros, not a bad profit at all. He is an extremely hard-working striker.

 

9 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Juan and Matsuki are still our players. Them gaining experience in European football helps them develop and that benefits Saints.

Romulo is seemingly interesting Champions League clubs, it is a hard sell for the player to prefer Saints in the Championship over that. Had we still been in the Premier League it may have been possible as we could compete on wages.

 

6 hours ago, CSA96 said:

'Congratulations on an amazing season Romulo'
'Thanks boss - will I get my big move now?'
'Yes, congratulations on a great campaign and your Champions League offers for next season... but have you ever heard of Southampton? They're known as the second-worst Premier League team ever and they'll be playing in the second division in England. That's your prize'

I think not.

The player does have to actually want the move for the multi-club model to work - and why on earth would he want to come here ahead of his other options?

Great... Juan gained experience... He is still not at our level, and we should never have signed him at his current state. Goztepe got a player that would be otherwise wildly out of their budget on the low or high end of your projections. This is a one-sided relationship. 

And ffs... it is Anderlecht. BELGIUM!??? This is not Barcelona or PSG so save me the Champions League comments. It we cannot woo players from Belgium, we might as well punch our ticket downwards right now. 

 

[Football Special]

8 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Bazunu would be fine for the Championship, not spectacular, but good enough, more so with a good back four in front of him.

Fuck sake , he's not good enough! 

[AlexLaw76]

Bazunu is not fine in the Championship 

[Willo of Whiteley]

I think it’s more we have bigger issues at RB, CB, LB, RM, CM, LM, ST before getting to the GK position. 😂

[West end Saints]

Reading this forum;

Promotion is very hard and teams can't be expected to bounce back and may plummet 

Russell Martin was poor

Our players weren't great last season

Russell Martin can't organise a defence

Bazunu is the worst goalkeeper in professional football

 

And yet he played 41 times in a team that got promoted!

[LVSaint]

9 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Bazunu would be fine for the Championship, not spectacular, but good enough, more so with a good back four in front of him.

No. It's like saying smallbone and stephens are fine for the championship. Maybe. We need to start building a proper team so, if we're lucky enough to get promoted, we don't have to accomplish a complete overhaul in order not to go straight back down. Bazunu is rubbish btw.

[Weston Super Saint]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Bazunu is not fine in goal

Fixed for you.

[coalman]

9 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Bazunu would be fine for the Championship, not spectacular, but good enough, more so with a good back four in front of him.

On the one hand - we've never seen Bazunu playing without the Saints defence in front of him. Ramsdale has looked suspect at many points this season simply because he's had to endure a shooting gallery. On the other hand - Baz has a tendency to push shots back into the danger area and a tendency to fail to save shots he should get to. I don't think he's as bad as his harshest critics make out here but also he's got some developing to do if he's ever going to be a top keeper.

[AlexLaw76]

Rak saki and Azaz please 

Even consider Michael Cooper

Edited yesterday at 07:42 by AlexLaw76

[Chez]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

I think it’s more we have bigger issues at RB, CB, LB, RM, CM, LM, ST before getting to the GK position. 😂

When Ramsdale departs, GK becomes an issue as big as those.

[Matthew Le God]

Only 6 days until the transfer window opens!

[Chez]

 

7 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Only 6 days until the transfer window opens!

I know you have been saying the players we have will be OK in the lower league, but any players you fancy that might strengthen us MLG? 

[badgerx16]

1 hour ago, West end Saints said:

Reading this forum;

Promotion is very hard and teams can't be expected to bounce back and may plummet  Promotion is not a given, and if a team fails to go up within 2 seasons there is a financial hit.

Russell Martin was poor Perhaps not "poor", but at best bang average.

Our players weren't great last season We finished fourth in a three horse race.

Russell Martin can't organise a defences At least 60 goals a season conceded as manager, several of which were due to pissing about at the back

Bazunu is the worst goalkeeper in professional football No, but he is not very good.

 

And yet he played 41 times in a team that got promoted! Which might explain why we conceded so many goals.

 

Edited yesterday at 08:20 by badgerx16

[badgerx16]

10 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

Anyone in here that we think would drop down and do a job? 

 

I've heard good things about that De Bruyne chap.

[badgerx16]

31 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Rak saki and Azaz

Sounds like a depilatory procedure.

[S-Clarke]

I don't get it, I can't work it out in my head - why are there still people who think Bazunu is fine? I include coaches and managers in that too.

He's not a capable goalkeeper, you only have to look at his physical attributes to come to that conclusion. He cannot do the role, it won't change. I don't know why he was ever changed to a GK.

If the club continue putting their eggs in the Bazunu basket in the summer and next season, then I give up. Either Will Still is as moronic as the rest, or he's being dictated like a puppet by Rasmus. I hope neither come true. The GK decision will be the one that demonstrates if the club are getting back to grips with things, or are still utterly rudderless with no real idea.

[Master Bates]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Only 6 days until the transfer window opens!

The 1st summer transfer window yeah. Closes June 10th so hopefully we make some early decent signings.

Dont really want to wait until the 2nd summer transfer window, get it all done early and proficiently.

Edited yesterday at 09:54 by Master Bates

[Matthew Le God]

1 hour ago, Chez said:

 

I know you have been saying the players we have will be OK in the lower league, but any players you fancy that might strengthen us MLG? 

Difficult to know until we get an idea of outgoings. We are all only guessing who will leave. Russell Martin largely focused on domestic signings, I'd guess we'll use the German, French, Dutch and Belgian markets more with the new management and recruitment setup.

[Saint86]

11 minutes ago, Master Bates said:

The 1st summer transfer window yeah. Closes June 10th so hopefully we make some early decent signings.

Dont really want to wait until the 2nd summer transfer window, get it all done early and proficiently.

Agreed on this. It will be interesting to see what kind of business we do and where we focus (positions / outgoings etc.).

It should give a good indication of how well prepared we are.

I think the split window will add an interesting dynamic to the window as well - not least from a negotiating aspect. I.e., clubs can't afford to be evidently rich, or weak in certain areas going into the pause - or risk it being exploited. Equally will agents try to use it to stall and negotiate, or will players favour clubs that are ready to complete moves if it means they can be in and sorted for pre season.

Edited yesterday at 10:05 by Saint86

[UpweySaint]

17 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I don't get it, I can't work it out in my head - why are there still people who think Bazunu is fine? I include coaches and managers in that too.

He's not a capable goalkeeper, you only have to look at his physical attributes to come to that conclusion. He cannot do the role, it won't change. I don't know why he was ever changed to a GK.

If the club continue putting their eggs in the Bazunu basket in the summer and next season, then I give up. Either Will Still is as moronic as the rest, or he's being dictated like a puppet by Rasmus. I hope neither come true. The GK decision will be the one that demonstrates if the club are getting back to grips with things, or are still utterly rudderless with no real idea.

I think there is a fair argument that he may not be at the standard we need but I thinking making out he shouldn’t be playing professionally as a goalkeeper is hyperbole. He’s represented Ireland (and had some good games), he was player of the season for Pompey in League 1 - he had a few decent games for  and is still very young in goalkeeper terms. 
 

Ramsdale is infinitely better but with confidence and a solid defence I don’t personally think he’s as terrible as being suggested. 
 

I would prefer the Stoke keeper who had a blinder against us for Rotherham (his name escapes me but he was a Scandi chap) but if we start the season with Bazunu in goal I don’t think it’s a crisis.

[Gloucester Saint]

16 minutes ago, Master Bates said:

The 1st summer transfer window yeah. Closes June 10th so hopefully we make some early decent signings.

Dont really want to wait until the 2nd summer transfer window, get it all done early and proficiently.

Essential to be well organised for the first window, which the club hasn’t been in recent years, and if Ramsdale and Fernandes are sold early that should give more muscle to pay what’s needed for core incomings. THB will be a protracted move, can’t see that happening until the second. 

[Matthew Le God]

23 minutes ago, Master Bates said:

The 1st summer transfer window yeah. Closes June 10th so hopefully we make some early decent signings.

Dont really want to wait until the 2nd summer transfer window, get it all done early and proficiently.

 

12 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

I think the split window will add an interesting dynamic to the window as well - not least from a negotiating aspect. I.e., clubs can't afford to be evidently rich, or weak in certain areas going into the pause - or risk it being exploited. Equally will agents try to use it to stall and negotiate, or will players favour clubs that are ready to complete moves if it means they can be in and sorted for pre season.

I doubt the gap will make much difference. It is only a 6 day gap, that finishes long before players return for pre-season.

1st June to 10th June

6 day gap

16th June to 1st September 

Deals could be worked on during those 6 days and go to completion shortly after it reopens.

[Give it to Ron]

3 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

I think it’s more we have bigger issues at RB, CB, LB, RM, CM, LM, ST before getting to the GK position. 😂

Think LB is fine, Wellington, Manning ,Taylor and Larios although think he needs a loan out.

RB we currently have Suga and Bree

Our main issue is the spine Goalkeeper (Ramsdale going) CB (Bednarek) CM (Les going but Shea back light here) CF (if TP goes Ross injury worries).

Edited yesterday at 10:33 by Give it to Ron

[Turkish]

8 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

Think LB is fine, Wellington, Manning ,Taylor and Larios although think he needs a loan out.

RB we currently have Suga and Bree

Our main issue is the spine Goalkeeper (Ramsdale going) CB (Bednarek) CM (Les going but Shea back light here) CF (if TP goes Ross injury worries).

If Stewart can stay fit him and Archer will play like they’re on cheat mode

[benjii]

3 hours ago, LVSaint said:

No. It's like saying smallbone and stephens are fine for the championship. Maybe. We need to start building a proper team so, if we're lucky enough to get promoted, we don't have to accomplish a complete overhaul in order not to go straight back down. Bazunu is rubbish btw.

To be fair, Smallbone and Stephens are better than average in their positions in the Championship. Bazunu is probably the worst in his position.

[benjii]

3 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Rak saki and Azaz please 

I'd get it looked at, if I were you.

[Suhari]

29 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

I doubt the gap will make much difference. It is only a 6 day gap, that finishes long before players return for pre-season.

1st June to 10th June

6 day gap

16th June to 1st September 

Deals could be worked on during those 6 days and go to completion shortly after it reopens.

Didn't know the window worked like this now.

Any idea of the reasoning behind this set up?

[badgerx16]

4 minutes ago, Suhari said:

Didn't know the window worked like this now.

Any idea of the reasoning behind this set up?

World Club Cup gets in the way.

[Matthew Le God]

3 minutes ago, Suhari said:

Didn't know the window worked like this now.

Any idea of the reasoning behind this set up?

It is because of the new format for the FIFA Club World Cup. They want teams to be able to sign players before that competition starts and keep same length of window, and because that means an earlier window they need a gap during thd summer.

https://www.premierleague.com/news/4272739

 

[InvictaSaint]

22 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

It is because of the new format for the FIFA Club World Cup. They want teams to be able to sign players before that competition starts and keep same length of window, and because that means an earlier window they need a gap during thd summer.

https://www.premierleague.com/news/4272739

 

Always good to see things being done for the good of all, and not just the rich elite….

[Matthew Le God]

10 minutes ago, InvictaSaint said:

Always good to see things being done for the good of all, and not just the rich elite….

It does benefit others (including Saints) beyond just those in the Club World Cup, in that they can sign players earlier. So they can potentially have them settled in long before pre season starts.

[Chez]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Difficult to know until we get an idea of outgoings. 

I was kind of hoping you might chuck a name or two into the mix for discussion, but if no one has caught your eye outside of SFC, no worries.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Sweet Jesus - I just don’t understand how anyone cannot fathom that we need better than the dross on show this season AND NOT lose our better players. If you take Leicester and Ipswich as indicators of how good this lot would fair in the Championship, remind yourself how many times we beat those teams despite how poor THEY were too. Utilise the likes of Manning, Smallbone, Stephens, Bazunu, Onuachu, Wood, Bree etc. and prepare for a disappointing outcome. The squad needs major overhaul - no question in my mind.

[Lighthouse]

12 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Sweet Jesus - I just don’t understand how anyone cannot fathom that we need better than the dross on show this season AND NOT lose our better players. If you take Leicester and Ipswich as indicators of how good this lot would fair in the Championship, remind yourself how many times we beat those teams despite how poor THEY were too. Utilise the likes of Manning, Smallbone, Stephens, Bazunu, Onuachu, Wood, Bree etc. and prepare for a disappointing outcome. The squad needs major overhaul - no question in my mind.

We've got work to do but we aren't getting rid of 35 players, or whatever it is we've got on the books at the moment. Whether we like it or not, more than half of them will still be here next season.

[BERMUDASAINT]

Very hopefull in the direction of recrutment, Stong, fast, agressive are all wanted and needed to compete in Epl and Efl.

But to think we can get it done quickly is not realistic. The best upcoming players are already sought after, and agents will play the waiting game for the in demand players. 

We will have to wait until the final day, as usual. 

 

Spors said it himself.

"A very intense style of football is something that fits here. This leads to my scouting processes. I think players need to be physically strong. They need to be fast. They need to have some aggressiveness in their mentality. If you just give these headlines to a scouting department there is already a clear profile. Then we will go into much more detail with our data analytics and traditional scouting."

 ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

[Saint Fan CaM]

1 minute ago, Lighthouse said:

We've got work to do but we aren't getting rid of 35 players, or whatever it is we've got on the books at the moment. Whether we like it or not, more than half of them will still be here next season.

There are some who are suggesting or even hoping we sell our best players to raise funds presumably to buy more mediocrity (e.g. Rambo, Fernandes, Dibling etc.)!!! My argument is those represent pretty much the MINIMUM standard we need given the depths to which our squad has sunk. I’m under no illusion it will be difficult to shift the number of woefully inadequate players we have on the books, but try we must or risk being dragged into mid-table obscurity or worse.

[Tommy]

8 minutes ago, BERMUDASAINT said:

Very hopefull in the direction of recrutment, Stong, fast, agressive are all wanted and needed to compete in Epl and Efl.

But to think we can get it done quickly is not realistic. The best upcoming players are already sought after, and agents will play the waiting game for the in demand players. 

We will have to wait until the final day, as usual. 

 

Spors said it himself.

"A very intense style of football is something that fits here. This leads to my scouting processes. I think players need to be physically strong. They need to be fast. They need to have some aggressiveness in their mentality. If you just give these headlines to a scouting department there is already a clear profile. Then we will go into much more detail with our data analytics and traditional scouting."

 ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

 

Well thats 95% of the squad going then 

[Convict Colony]

I guess we will require, pace, physicality, used to similar system we want to implement and has a good mentality as the benchmarks for squad make up this summer.

Using that you can probably ascertain who we would like to move on who is still in contract.

Suspect undervalued players from abroad would arrive June/Early July to compete for positions with the retaining players and more expensive signings later in July/maybe Aug.

Until then I am just gonna enjoy the ride.