Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

[Badger]

14 minutes ago, 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.

Something he had a track record of that season, almost a trademark. 

9 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

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. 

Gloucester Saint has already mentioned Ipswich away.

Exhibit two: Watford away. 

[Miltonaggro]

2 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

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

That's because he clearly isn't to anyone who has watched him for Saints over 90 minutes.

[qwertyell]

Given that we knew we were down in January (if not earlier) and gave Spors plenty of time to assess the squad and the market and plan for a major rebuild, it's not very encouraging to be a couple of weeks out from the new season with only two signings on board (and I'm not even sure Quarshie is a starter).

I don't think making do with the majority of the second shittest squad in Premier League history is going to be the rip roaring success in the Championship that others seem to. 

[ally_uk]

I agree with you I was hoping for a bit more sense of urgency. Seems like we still have a awful lot of shit stinking the place out in this bloated squad. 

Can we expect at least some form of transfer activity in the next week or two ?.

 

 

 

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, Badger said:

Something he had a track record of that season, almost a trademark. 

Gloucester Saint has already mentioned Ipswich away.

Exhibit two: Watford away. 

Exhibit three: Millwall home https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/gavin-bazunu-under-fresh-scrutiny-as-southampton-boss-blasts-concession-of-crap-rubbish-goals-against-millwall/a457780480.html

That’s without mentioning the PL horrors - Lallana’s header, Firpo Leeds away etc

Edited Wednesday at 21:17 by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

57 minutes ago, ally_uk said:

I agree with you I was hoping for a bit more sense of urgency. Seems like we still have a awful lot of shit stinking the place out in this bloated squad. 

Can we expect at least some form of transfer activity in the next week or two ?.

 

 

 

After the bonuses of Sully and Onachu, I can only assume the outgoings that were expected to happen quickly - Bednarek, Aribo - haven’t happened, Dibling situation hasn’t resolved with a departure or new contract, THB injured. Even so, the attacking midfielder hasn’t happened which has a stink of the last minute failed striker trolly dash of 2023. Less profligate than Rasmus but as dynamic as a breeze block so far this summer on needed incomings. Squad is still bloated and can understand there not exactly being a queue of takers. 

Edited Wednesday at 21:29 by Gloucester Saint

[Osvaldorama]

We can’t go into the season with bazunu in goal if we are serious about automatic promotion. 
 

Can’t happen.

Looking like another window of failure by SR so far 

[CB Fry]

I can't help thinking this is all Paul Trollope's fault.

[Dusic]

Dibling is the frustrating one because we either need the cash we may get for him, or him fit and firing and showing why PL sides should be lining up for him.

In his pre season apps he has shown end product in an area we are badly lacking yet now is supposedly injured and probably unlikely to be of any use either to us or anyone else until September.

Doubt PL sides will be firming anything up til end of Aug as he isnt going to be a key player for the type of clubs who could afford him anyway and they know due to his contract that we probably want to sell.

[bugenhagen]

11 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

We can’t go into the season with bazunu in goal if we are serious about automatic promotion. 
 

Can’t happen.

Looking like another window of failure by SR so far 

Agree about Baz. But way too early to say the window is looking like a failure.

Sadly, Dibling, Fernandes and Ramsdale will never be resolved until the closing of the window. The "dross" will probably take it's time to get rid of as well.

The real test for SR and Spors is how they react at the end of the window when the probable sale of these three will happen. Do they have good replacements ready, and will they be able to get them when the dominoes start to fall?

[sockeye]

I must say I am a little bit worried. It's been 3 weeks since Larios left and we've failed to shift any more players in that time. There's been nothing substantial about incomings either. We had one of the earliest relegations from the PL in history, they have had a long time to get their ducks in order. Obviously there is still a considerable amount of time left in the window, but we are lining up against Wrexham in just over 2 weeks. We then have a tough away against an automatic promotion rival in Ipswich. Building momentum in that first month is crucial. This season will be very competitive, and we need to start strongly. If we concede soft goals or our attack is meek (so many of our signings in the last 2-3 years just cannot hit a barn door) then it will be very troubling.

Edited Wednesday at 22:03 by sockeye
Larios not Sulemana, not that it really matters, they were 2 days apart.

[Saint Fan CaM]

In terms of squad size and wages, we could afford to lose Wood or Stephens, Manning and BBD and bring in a Tadic type player (assuming one exists and is willing to come here). It’s not rocket science - is it?

[Suhari]

46 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

I can't help thinking this is all Paul Trollope's fault.

Trollope is the new Black.

[saintant]

On 16/07/2025 at 12:34, SaintLondon said:

I have been reliably informed that it's going to be an extremely busy few weeks with comings and going. I was told, it'll be fun for the fans but not for the team doing it behind the scenes. 

Thought I'd bump this as it's a week old and no sign of the start of 'extremely busy few weeks with comings and goings.' I appreciate lots may well be happening behind the scenes.

[Turkish]

5 minutes ago, saintant said:

Thought I'd bump this as it's a week old and no sign of the start of 'extremely busy few weeks with comings and goings.' I appreciate lots may well be happening behind the scenes.

He said weeks not week

[Appy]

45 minutes ago, Dusic said:

Dibling is the frustrating one because we either need the cash we may get for him, or him fit and firing and showing why PL sides should be lining up for him.

In his pre season apps he has shown end product in an area we are badly lacking yet now is supposedly injured and probably unlikely to be of any use either to us or anyone else until September.

Doubt PL sides will be firming anything up til end of Aug as he isnt going to be a key player for the type of clubs who could afford him anyway and they know due to his contract that we probably want to sell.

Why September? 
 

All I’ve seen is he has a knock. 

[BarryVenisonsHair]

7 hours ago, Suhari said:

Trollope is the new Black.

New Netflix series? 

[Football Special]

10 hours ago, qwertyell said:

Given that we knew we were down in January (if not earlier) and gave Spors plenty of time to assess the squad and the market and plan for a major rebuild, it's not very encouraging to be a couple of weeks out from the new season with only two signings on board (and I'm not even sure Quarshie is a starter).

I don't think making do with the majority of the second shittest squad in Premier League history is going to be the rip roaring success in the Championship that others seem to. 

I agree with you,  however it is true that 

1 - the squad is still too big, how many centre backs does one team need?! There's not been much interest for our players. 

2 - loan market really doesn't get going until last fortnight, I think we're bound to pick up a couple of those and hopefully have a plan. Especially for a goal scorer. 

Personally I think we'll have a bumpy start to the season and Still is going to need time 

[Charlie Wayman]

11 hours ago, qwertyell said:

Given that we knew we were down in January (if not earlier) and gave Spors plenty of time to assess the squad and the market and plan for a major rebuild, it's not very encouraging to be a couple of weeks out from the new season with only two signings on board (and I'm not even sure Quarshie is a starter).

I don't think making do with the majority of the second shittest squad in Premier League history is going to be the rip roaring success in the Championship that others seem to. 

Nothing ever changes at SFC. It was predictable, I predicted it. Madness.

Never promise what you can't deliver but they do every year. No wonder fans are so cynical and lack trust in the management.

[Charlie Wayman]

25 minutes ago, Football Special said:

I agree with you,  however it is true that 

1 - the squad is still too big, how many centre backs does one team need?! There's not been much interest for our players. 

2 - loan market really doesn't get going until last fortnight, I think we're bound to pick up a couple of those and hopefully have a plan. Especially for a goal scorer. 

Personally I think we'll have a bumpy start to the season and Still is going to need time 

Will he Still be here at Christmas?

[saintant]

8 hours ago, Turkish said:

He said weeks not week

Yeah, I know but I'm impatient for news. It seems not even those within the legendary CoT are privy to any current rumours so we don't even have their quirky clues to try to crack. 

[saintant]

15 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Will he Still be here at Christmas?

I predict he Still Will be here at Christmas.

[Dusic]

9 hours ago, Appy said:

Why September? 
 

All I’ve seen is he has a knock. 

Well Still said about him and Downes that they couldnt train for the next 10 days because of their knocks so that pretty much rules them out of the remaining friendlies and therefore would assume the Wrexham game at least.

I imagine something will happen with him in August anyway as we need to raise some cash and he isnt going to be extending his contract.

[trousers]

45 minutes ago, Dusic said:

Well Still said about him and Downes that they couldnt train for the next 10 days because of their knocks

They must be pretty significant "knocks" to take them out for that long.... good job I'm not an old cynic otherwise I might be inclined to read something else into that....

p.s. have you got a link to the full interview where he said this? Would be good to read the whole transcript to help put things into context. Cheers

Edited 16 hours ago by trousers

[macca155]

Pretty sure Dibling, THB, Bendarek, and Ransdale will go. Club needs the money. Just get it over with. If they can keep Fernades then billy bonus.

The major issue is shipping out players who won't give up on their wages. Clearly there isn't a queue of suitors, which is hardly surprising. 

It's annoying that if the club sells Dibling for £30 million, some of that money will be used to pay the wages of players we don't want or need.

Through its own mismanagement the club is in a bind.

Unfortunately there really is no other option than to make do with what we have, and use the loan market.

That's why players like Bazunu and Wood finding some form is so important. They will be needed.

[macca155]

7 minutes ago, trousers said:

They must be pretty significant "knocks" to take them out for that long.... good job I'm not an old cynic as I might be inclined to read something else into that....

Oldest trick in the book, the club won't risk a £30 million asset. 

[gio1saints]

12 minutes ago, Dusic said:

Well Still said about him and Downes that they couldnt train for the next 10 days because of their knocks so that pretty much rules them out of the remaining friendlies and therefore would assume the Wrexham game at least.

I imagine something will happen with him in August anyway as we need to raise some cash and he isnt going to be extending his contract.

Good spot. Given Stills’ logic no way THB or FD are playing Wrexham. 
We have cover at CB but in the FD role we are def short. Perhaps why Sesay has been brought along? I don’t know too much about him apart from Still seems happy with him so far and he’s done ok. 

[CSA96]

Will Still on whether Saints can keep Mateus Fernandes:

"I hope so, I hope so. I know he's a good player."

"I know there's interest. I know there's a lot of noise around him. That's normal when you've got quality players like him, but I think the club has been clear.

"If he leaves, he'll leave at the right price and we'll be able to replace him. I'm not too worried about that. I don't want to get involved in all the rumours and stuff.

"We know that as long as he's here, we can use him and he'll be good. And if he goes, then I'm sure everyone will come out bigger and better from it.

"He's quality. He's got that little extra about him. He's got that creative spark. He's interesting in the lower positions.

"He's got the game in front of him, but it depends on the game, it depends on the scenario, and it depends on where he is physically as well.

"We've just done his first minutes, and we just wanted to introduce it. He's got that versatility that we can use and be creative with, so I'm sure we will be."

Edited 16 hours ago by CSA96

[Marsdinho]

10 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

In terms of squad size and wages, we could afford to lose Wood or Stephens, Manning and BBD and bring in a Tadic type player (assuming one exists and is willing to come here). It’s not rocket science - is it?

One definitley exists

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorgeles_Nene

 

[danjosaint]

...

Edited 16 hours ago by danjosaint

[Rebel]

I think we were all expecting a bigger overhaul of our squad than has happened so far this summer. And right now my optimism for the season is fading.  It looks like we have too much deadwood in the squad - and too many players on big salaries we can't shift as we are overpaying them.

By now I was expecting us to have moved on players like Fraser, Aribo, Bednarek and ABK  - and players like Ramsdale and THB to be close to the exit door.

Every year we seem to have to wait to sell players before we buy - sometimes I think we need to take a calculated risk and sign the players we need first and then look to clear out the players we don't want or need later.

I hope Spors hasn't underestimated how much of a clear out and reset the squad needed this summer - we need to change a lot more than we have done so far and get rid of the 'loser' mindset in the team. 

I get that things could all change in the next few weeks but it doesn't set us up for a flying start to the season we will need. In reality we will probably end up losing Dibling and Fernandes for smaller fees that like and send Ramsdale out on loan.  

Ramsdale is a prime example of a player we overpaid for and are overpaying. We'd have been better off getting Bijlow on loan for the season and spending £3M on Victor Johannsson rather than coughing up £20M plus and a £150K a week in wages.

Our first 11 just about looks OK - apart from up front - but we desperately need more depth on the wing and in defensive midfield.  I would quite happily of changed all of our strikers out (Armstrong, Brereton-Diaz, Archer and Stewart) as I don't think any of them are really good enough.  I hope I am proved wrong. 

 

Edited 16 hours ago by Rebel

[trousers]

9 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

Still: "If (Fernandes) leaves, he'll leave at the right price and we'll be able to replace him"

Any volunteers to inform Still about the club's track record in re-investing player sales income wisely...?

Edited 16 hours ago by trousers

[revolution saint]

2 minutes ago, Rebel said:

I think we were all expecting a bigger overhaul of our squad than has happened so far this summer. And right now my optimism for the season is fading.  It looks like we have too much deadwood in the squad - and too many players on big salaries we can't shift as we are overpaying them.

By now I was expecting us to have moved on players like Fraser, Aribo, Bednarek and ABK  - and players like Ramsdale and THB to close to the exit door.

Every year we seem to have to wait to sell players before we buy - sometimes I think we need to take a calculated risk and sign the players we need first and then look to clear out the players we don't want to need later.

 

 

So just to be clear, you think we've got too much deadwood in the squad that we've overpaid for but the solution is to bite the bullet and buy more players?

[saintant]

9 minutes ago, Marsdinho said:

One definitley exists

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorgeles_Nene

 

Very good player but far bigger clubs than us are interested in signing him.

[beatlesaint]

I realise that most of the decent business will be done in the last couple of weeks after the big boys have made their moves (or not) for Ramsdale, THB, Dibling and Fernandes etc but I really did expect us to get a few more of the squad type players moved in and out by now. I'm surprised Aribo and Bednarek are still here, I'm dissapointed that Fraser and BBD are still here.

 

[CSA96]

15 minutes ago, Rebel said:

I would quite happily of changed all of our strikers out (Armstrong, Brereton-Diaz, Archer and Stewart) as I don't think any of them are really good enough.  I hope I am proved wrong. 

 

The rest of the division would probably find this mental. Our striking options are an embarrassment of riches for most Championship fans

I would never argue they are good enough for the PL, but if you look at pretty much every other club in the division's best striking options, they might have one player with a goal return that touches the track records of our strikers

On top of that, we've also signed Downs, who is at international level for the USA at the age of 20

Cameron Archer
Appearances: 40
Goals: 18

Adam Armstrong
Appearances: 248
Goals: 80

Ben Brereton-Diaz
Appearances: 230
Goals: 57

Ross Stewart
Appearances: 16
Goals: 10

*Championship games only

Edited 16 hours ago by CSA96

[goodymatt]

36 minutes ago, Rebel said:

I think we were all expecting a bigger overhaul of our squad than has happened so far this summer. And right now my optimism for the season is fading.  It looks like we have too much deadwood in the squad - and too many players on big salaries we can't shift as we are overpaying them.

By now I was expecting us to have moved on players like Fraser, Aribo, Bednarek and ABK  - and players like Ramsdale and THB to be close to the exit door.

Every year we seem to have to wait to sell players before we buy - sometimes I think we need to take a calculated risk and sign the players we need first and then look to clear out the players we don't want or need later.

I hope Spors hasn't underestimated how much of a clear out and reset the squad needed this summer - we need to change a lot more than we have done so far and get rid of the 'loser' mindset in the team. 

I get that things could all change in the next few weeks but it doesn't set us up for a flying start to the season we will need. In reality we will probably end up losing Dibling and Fernandes for smaller fees that like and send Ramsdale out on loan.  

Ramsdale is a prime example of a player we overpaid for and are overpaying. We'd have been better off getting Bijlow on loan for the season and spending £3M on Victor Johannsson rather than coughing up £20M plus and a £150K a week in wages.

Our first 11 just about looks OK - apart from up front - but we desperately need more depth on the wing and in defensive midfield.  I would quite happily of changed all of our strikers out (Armstrong, Brereton-Diaz, Archer and Stewart) as I don't think any of them are really good enough.  I hope I am proved wrong. 

 

Ramsdale was £18m plus add ons, I assume no add ons were met given how the season went. Wages I think were £120k/week in the PL. You’d hope he’s currently on the 40% relegation wage reduction but some press reports have suggested we are willing to pay him £100k/week to keep him. Personally think this was a decent signing for a fair fee, it’s just a shame other than Matty Fernandes, that we didn’t sign any other new players up to the PL challenge. I think Bazunu cost us £12m for reference.

[Matthew Le God]

Another PL club linked with Ramsdale, but looking elsewhere...

 

[beatlesaint]

23 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

The rest of the division would probably find this mental. Our striking options are an embarrassment of riches for most Championship fans

I would never argue they are good enough for the PL, but if you look at pretty much every other club in the division's best striking options, they might have one player with a goal return that touches the track records of our strikers

On top of that, we've also signed Downs, who is at international level for the USA at the age of 20

Cameron Archer
Appearances: 40
Goals: 18

Adam Armstrong
Appearances: 248
Goals: 80

Ben Brereton-Diaz
Appearances: 230
Goals: 57

Ross Stewart
Appearances: 16
Goals: 10

*Championship games only

Its all about finding the combo of this lot that clicks the best then !

[for_heaven's_Saint]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

They must be pretty significant "knocks" to take them out for that long.... good job I'm not an old cynic otherwise I might be inclined to read something else into that....

p.s. have you got a link to the full interview where he said this? Would be good to read the whole transcript to help put things into context. Cheers

It was in this piece by Alfie House: 

 

While it is a concern, particularly as Downes hobbled off after missing matches in each of the last two seasons, Still has eased those worries.

"We knew they couldn't be in training for this week or the next 10 days, so we wanted to use the facilities available to them at Staplewood," he said. 

Saints take on Brighton & Hove Albion at St Mary's on Saturday, August 2, in their final pre-season match before hosting Wrexham a week later. 

[trousers]

21 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

The rest of the division would probably find this mental. Our striking options are an embarrassment of riches for most Championship fans

I would never argue they are good enough for the PL, but if you look at pretty much every other club in the division's best striking options, they might have one player with a goal return that touches the track records of our strikers

On top of that, we've also signed Downs, who is at international level for the USA at the age of 20

Cameron Archer
Appearances: 40
Goals: 18

Adam Armstrong
Appearances: 248
Goals: 80

Ben Brereton-Diaz
Appearances: 230
Goals: 57

Ross Stewart
Appearances: 16
Goals: 10

*Championship games only

I could be wrong but I suspect the less positive people amongst us are more likely to be questioning the current mental strength of our forwards, and thus lack of ruthlessness and/or confidence in front of goal, rather than their historic technical ability in the Chamionship. I totally agree that, on paper, we have one of the best strike forces in the division. Personally, I'm hopeful that Still can get these guys firing on all cylinders again, but I can see some logic in shipping one or more of them out IF any of them are deemed to be too mentally scarred from last season....

[Dman]

All be it pre-season against lower level oposition and lower intensity than we'll hopefully get come 2 weeks, but I'm really concerned about us this season. 

Our squad is a complete mess, too many players who either don't want to be here and/or aren't good enough to be here.

We look toothless going forward. We need to move in the transfer-window for effectively 3 players to play behind the striker and we need to do it quickly. 

BBD, Fraser, Armstorng aren't going to cut it. If they are our 3 attacking midfielders come the end of the window we are in big, big trouble this season. 

Archer has been scoring and will score at this level, but we need to build a side around how he plays, rather than him suiting how we want to play.. which obviously isn't ideal. Downs untested and Stewart looks rusty. 

Robinson has been our stand-out attacker so far, but he's young and raw - we cannot rely on him. 

Still plenty of time to go, but I fear we cannot afford a slow start to the season, given the fixtures we have in august / september. Worrying. 

[CSA96]

10 minutes ago, trousers said:

I could be wrong but I suspect the less positive people amongst us are more likely to be questioning the current mental strength of our forwards, and thus lack of ruthlessness and/or confidence in front of goal, rather than their historic technical ability in the Chamionship. I totally agree that, on paper, we have one of the best strike forces in the division. Personally, I'm hopeful that Still can get these guys firing on all cylinders again, but I can see some logic in shipping one or more of them out IF any of them are deemed to be too mentally scarred from last season....

I would probably be trying to ship one of them out, for sure. Add some more quality out wide (where we are painfully lacking) and keep the other four together as our options. Given RS is unreliable with injuries, you'd effectively have three to compete for one spot most of the time and Ross being fit would be a bonus fourth option and help if you wanted to play two

[SWLondon Saint]

I don't understand why so many people on here are surprised it's hard for us to get rid of players? These are players who just had one of the worst seasons in PL history and you think there's going to be a high demand for their services? Or for taking them on loan and paying their wages - which even after a relegation reduction, are likely to be extremely high compared to most other leagues around Europe anyway. Like it or not, we're stuck with them.

[goodymatt]

35 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

The rest of the division would probably find this mental. Our striking options are an embarrassment of riches for most Championship fans

I would never argue they are good enough for the PL, but if you look at pretty much every other club in the division's best striking options, they might have one player with a goal return that touches the track records of our strikers

On top of that, we've also signed Downs, who is at international level for the USA at the age of 20

Cameron Archer
Appearances: 40
Goals: 18

Adam Armstrong
Appearances: 248
Goals: 80

Ben Brereton-Diaz
Appearances: 230
Goals: 57

Ross Stewart
Appearances: 16
Goals: 10

*Championship games only

The only concern is playing to the strengths of these players to get such returns. They all need us to play quite differently I think. I don’t think we can play with 2 inside forwards and a CF for example, it lacks the creativity and we are seeing a real lack of connection across the front 3 or 4 in preseason so far.

I appreciate Still is a flexible manager but we do need to have a default formation/style and I’m not sure I see one that plays to the strengths of all of these players. We might be better suited deciding who we are going to back and playing to their strengths, then looking to move on those that don’t fit, allowing us to bring in new players that do. It’s a real headache as we don’t want to be strengthening rivals or losing proven goalscoring but on the other hand we need to see a front line that can be effective together.

[beatlesaint]

10 minutes ago, Dman said:

BBD, Fraser, Armstorng aren't going to cut it. If they are our 3 attacking midfielders come the end of the window we are in big, big trouble this season. 

I agree with you except I dont think I would put Armstrong on a par with the other two. As shown last time out if played in the correct position - not through the middle - he will score goals in the Championship.

Edited 15 hours ago by beatlesaint

[Dman]

1 minute ago, SWLondon Saint said:

I don't understand why so many people on here are surprised it's hard for us to get rid of players? These are players who just had one of the worst seasons in PL history and you think there's going to be a high demand for their services? Or for taking them on loan and paying their wages - which even after a relegation reduction, are likely to be extremely high compared to most other leagues around Europe anyway. Like it or not, we're stuck with them.

In which case, we either need to accept chunky a hit on them or face the fact that we're going to have to risk stretching the budget to replace 3/4 players in key areas. 

[Dman]

2 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

I agree with you except I dont think I would put Armstrong on a par with the other two. As shown last time out if played in the correct position - not through the middle - he will score goals in the Championship.

From what I've seen, Will Still plays with genuine wingers. Armstong isn't that. 

He may or may not get goals at this level, if you play to his strengths.. but I don't think we're going to do that, so we need to move on as from what I seen in pre-season to date, he has been extreamly poor.  

[John B]

2 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

I would probably be trying to ship one of them out, for sure. Add some more quality out wide (where we are painfully lacking) and keep the other four together as our options. Given RS is unreliable with injuries, you'd effectively have three to compete for one spot most of the time and Ross being fit would be a bonus fourth option and help if you wanted to play two

These are players who are contracted to the club I doubt it is easy for them to be shipped out as you suggest

I do not disagree with your sentiments but Airbo and Fraser have contracts which end next year and they may wish to see them out

Likewise with Dibling he may wish to stay another year and see what happens 

[Saint Neil]

Long term target Rak-Sakyi going to Rangers on loan.