Summer Transfer Window 2026

[Chez]

1 hour ago, Rebel said:

I would think the only way we would sign JWP is on loan if West Ham cover half his wages for the final year of his contract.  But I can see him ending up at Everton or Fulham to give them midfield depth on that deal. 

People forget JWP started as a AM/CM playing on the right of a midfield 3 or on the right of the 3 behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1.   He was more than capable of putting in the killer through ball /pass or cross from the right- and had a good engine.

Ralph then turned him into a DM/CM in the 4-2-2-2 but it only worked when he played alongside someone more physical like Romeu -but for a time he was great there.

Like a lot of our players he lost his way under a succession of bad managers.  But then he left because we needed the money more than anything else. 

I'd be OK with him coming back but I am not sure where he'd fit in our current 4-2-3-1 as a first choice.

On relegation, you'd assume his wages would be cut in half. If they were halved again by West Ham covering 50% of his championship wage, then he'd be affordable.

I know people point to him being a crab, and slowing things down, but his quality of first touch and weight of pass does the opposite IMO. I recall the horrific game against Grimsby, where we were so so slow in possession. JWP was brought on for the last ten minutes, he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and the ball was moved about the pitch very quickly. It wasn't enough, but it stood out in my mind just the difference he made. 

That said, I've not watched him for a long time, so I'm not sure if he has the legs to get around and up and down the pitch. Perhaps there are better options. Bragg is tidy, and looks a similar type of player...recycle, recyle, recyle...so maybe we need to look for a slightly different type.

[spyinthesky]

In my humble opinion JWP was better than many on here give him credit for.
He was an accurate passer and crosser of the ball and turned into more of a midfield ball winner later in his career.
He hardly missed a game as far as I can recollect.
He was never the quickest of players but always put in a shift.
Perhaps his age and wages would act against him but I wouldnt dismiss him out of hand.

[MarkSFC]

I always thoight JWP was used more defensively than attackingly and this hampered him a little. He is certainly no messing or hazard or that type, maybe not really even an Azaz. But if he was the player brought in to be more of an attacking CM (support for Azaz as stated by Dragon) then Id be happy. He obviously adds lots in dead ball scenarios, and his passing range is good. 

If he came in to be one of the two DCM then it would be a no from me. However, as 4th choice behind Downes, Bragg and Jander or Charles (as it seems likely one of those two will go) then it might be a decent signing. 

[trousers]

I do wonder how much of JWP's "crab-like footballer" reputation is down to how his various managers have wanted him to play versus what he's actually capable of. 

I do seem to remember at least one season where he predominantly played a more advanced role and frequently popped up in and around the box with crucial goals and/or goal chances, with people (including myself) posting on here to question why managers typical see him more as a defensive rather than attacking midfielder, when he's evidently better at the latter than the former...

Ye olde 'illusory truth effect' perhaps...?

Edited 23 hours ago by trousers

[SaintLondon]

Let's just say we were keen, would WHU deal with a likely promotion rival? 

[DT]

Caught a bit of Northern Ireland v France last night. I think we will be lucky to hold on to Shea Charles, not just because he played pretty well but also because he is getting 'eyeballs'. An offer from a Prem club will surely come. So I hope Saints have their eyes on replacements. Don't think that is JWP personally but he certainly cares about the club, which counts for something. Would be very good free transfer... 😉

[saintant]

3 minutes ago, DT said:

Caught a bit of Northern Ireland v France last night. I think we will be lucky to hold on to Shea Charles, not just because he played pretty well but also because he is getting 'eyeballs'. An offer from a Prem club will surely come. So I hope Saints have their eyes on replacements. Don't think that is JWP personally but he certainly cares about the club, which counts for something. Would be very good free transfer... 😉

I  care about the club, doesn't mean I'm getting a game in midfield any time soon 🙂

[DT]

20 minutes ago, saintant said:

I  care about the club, doesn't mean I'm getting a game in midfield any time soon 🙂

Sure. But faced with someone who does give a toss about Southampton FC based on his lived experience and someone who doesn't care about the club, it's a pretty obvious choice. Someone is bound to reinterpret this as wanting JWP back - probably someone who swore he would never leave 😉 - but that would be the work of a dork.

Personally think Bragg is very good and more than capable covering in the midfield.

[Sheaf Saint]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

I do wonder how much of JWP's "crab-like footballer" reputation is down to how his various managers have wanted him to play versus what he's actually capable of. 

I do seem to remember at least one season where he predominantly played a more advanced role and frequently popped up in and around the box with crucial goals and/or goal chances, with people (including myself) posting on here to question why managers typical see him more as a defensive rather than attacking midfielder, when he's evidently better at the latter than the former...

Ye olde 'illusory truth effect' perhaps...?

IIRC it was Ralph who converted him to more of a defensive player. Up until that point he hadn't really nailed down a specific role in the team and I always thought he looked most effective on the right of a 4231, but not as a traditional winger.

[Saint86]

2 hours ago, LordHester said:

If you think that our goalkeeping business is now done, and set in stone for the new season, then you've left Ramsdale out of that lineup. I'd be very happy with Peretz, with Ramsdale backup; Baz and Long fighting it out for cone duties. But I realise that a Ramsdale deal is almost certainly already done, and that we still have the best part of three months of the transfer window being open to sort other deals too. 

It felt like this was going to be a very long summer with players leaving left, right and centre after Spygate. The three deals the club have done already are an excellent sign of the club making plans and getting things done early; so let's maybe not throw our toys out of the pram that the goalkeeping lineup isn't exactly what we'd want at two months out from the season starting.

So, in summation, you agree with my general sentiments of alarm over the prospect of Long and Baz being our backups 😅

[OneMrsWallace]

With Peretz signing is Ramsdale likely to be sold off? Have I missed anything about him? 

[Osvaldorama]

1 minute ago, OneMrsWallace said:

With Peretz signing is Ramsdale likely to be sold off? Have I missed anything about him? 

No official news, but he will certainly be going. No point in paying for two first choice keepers. 

[bpsaint]

3 minutes ago, OneMrsWallace said:

With Peretz signing is Ramsdale likely to be sold off? Have I missed anything about him? 

Man Utd ‘looking to raid fierce rivals LEEDS in shock transfer as Michael Carrick tries to fix problem area’

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/39348114/man-utd-raid-leeds-michael-carrick-transfer?utm_source=sharebar_app&utm_medium=sharebar_app&utm_campaign=sharebar_app_article
 

United looking for an experienced number two for next season, they could do a lot worse than Ramsdale. Or if they do move for Darlow from Leeds then I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ramsdale go there.

I imagine he’ll want to stay in the Prem and ideally as a number one, I saw he was linked with Coventry but no good going to any of the promoted sides.

[beatlesaint]

3 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

No official news, but he will certainly be going. No point in paying for two first choice keepers. 

The only question is where ? 😂

[Whitey Grandad]

12 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

No official news, but he will certainly be going. No point in paying for two first choice keepers. 

No point in hanging on to an expensive unused asset who is deprecating in value. 

[Dman]

1 hour ago, DT said:

Caught a bit of Northern Ireland v France last night. I think we will be lucky to hold on to Shea Charles, not just because he played pretty well but also because he is getting 'eyeballs'. An offer from a Prem club will surely come. So I hope Saints have their eyes on replacements. Don't think that is JWP personally but he certainly cares about the club, which counts for something. Would be very good free transfer... 😉

If Boro get £20m for Hayden Hackney, we should be getting £30m for Charles. Much better player with a longer contract 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

I do wonder how much of JWP's "crab-like footballer" reputation is down to how his various managers have wanted him to play versus what he's actually capable of. 

I do seem to remember at least one season where he predominantly played a more advanced role and frequently popped up in and around the box with crucial goals and/or goal chances, with people (including myself) posting on here to question why managers typical see him more as a defensive rather than attacking midfielder, when he's evidently better at the latter than the former...

Ye olde 'illusory truth effect' perhaps...?

I agree, he’s a consummate professional so would just do as instructed, when he had that spell of playing further forward he looked at his most effective. Maybe he was stifled a bit by instruction.

Bragg is one player I’m looking forward to see progress this season, think he’s got huge potential so don’t want his path blocked at all.

[Lord Duckhunter]

1 hour ago, MarkSFC said:

always thoight JWP was used more defensively than attackingly and this hampered him a little. He is certainly no messing or hazard or that type, maybe not really even an Azaz. But if he was the player brought in to be more of an attacking CM (support for Azaz as stated by Dragon) then Id be happy. He obviously adds lots in dead ball scenarios, and his passing range is good. 

I thought his best role was the one Jones played him in during his short spell, he was probably the only player who actually did ok for him.
 

I’d be ok with him being a “steady Eddie” sort of signing. Squad man, could sit in at Right back for the last 10, be 3rd or 4th choice in CM, or sitting in the 10 role when we’re winning and Azaz has run his race. Unlike others, I do think there’s a benefit of good  pros being around the club & setting an example in regard to training properly & preparing properly, even if you’re on the bench. The issue is, you don’t pay those sort of players the money he’d want . IF he was a free, and was on bang average championship wages, it would be a yes from me, otherwise it’s a fucking great big, “Dear God no”. 

[Midfield_General]

21 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

I imagine he’ll want to stay in the Prem and ideally as a number one, I saw he was linked with Coventry but no good going to any of the promoted sides.

He's 28 and has already been relegated from the Prem three times so far. 

If goes to Cov, he can get one more under his belt to join the storied ranks of Rob Green, Marcus Bent and Carlton Palmer who all got relegated from the top flight four times. 

And if he wants to go for the record, as a keeper he's still got plenty of time left in his career to match the relegation GOAT, Hermann Hreidarsson, who managed it a genuinely impressive five times. 

 

[Willo of Whiteley]

I don’t see him coming back, but then again I didn’t see him leaving so what do I know 😂

[Chez]

15 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

I thought his best role was the one Jones played him in during his short spell, he was probably the only player who actually did ok for him.
 

I’d be ok with him being a “steady Eddie” sort of signing. Squad man, could sit in at Right back for the last 10, be 3rd or 4th choice in CM, or sitting in the 10 role when we’re winning and Azaz has run his race. Unlike others, I do think there’s a benefit of good  pros being around the club & setting an example in regard to training properly & preparing properly, even if you’re on the bench. The issue is, you don’t pay those sort of players the money he’d want . IF he was a free, and was on bang average championship wages, it would be a yes from me, otherwise it’s a fucking great big, “Dear God no”. 

He did well that season, with Jones having him make late runs into the box and scoring crucial goals like at Everton.

He isn't moving to another championship club to be 4th choice squad man. He can do that at West Ham. He'd be first choice in most Championship sides. He looked a cut above the rest in the few gams for us three season ago. Has his play dropped off since then?

I can't see anyone signing him on a permanent deal, even if he was on a free this summer. Much better to let West Ham pay him and then loan him on a percentage of his wage. The only way it works is is West Ham pay him a juicy loyalty bonus which would bridge any drop in wages this season.

[Chez]

59 minutes ago, OneMrsWallace said:

With Peretz signing is Ramsdale likely to be sold off? Have I missed anything about him? 

You've missed nothing, but Peretz hasn't be signed to compete with Ramsdale.

I know he has returned from Newcastle who have not taken us up on the £20m buy option, but I wonder if they just don't want to pay that full amount and may be interested should the fee be lower. Howe talked about it being "Southampton's choice on his future" which could be construed as "if they lower the fee he could come back". 

 

[Football Special]

12 minutes ago, Chez said:

You've missed nothing, but Peretz hasn't be signed to compete with Ramsdale.

I know he has returned from Newcastle who have not taken us up on the £20m buy option, but I wonder if they just don't want to pay that full amount and may be interested should the fee be lower. Howe talked about it being "Southampton's choice on his future" which could be construed as "if they lower the fee he could come back". 

 

Dont think so, Newcastle are signing a goalkeeper from France for £18M 

 

Edited 20 hours ago by Football Special

[Lord Duckhunter]

2 hours ago, Chez said:

Has his play dropped off since then?

Yes 

[spyinthesky]

4 hours ago, DT said:

Sure. But faced with someone who does give a toss about Southampton FC based on his lived experience and someone who doesn't care about the club, it's a pretty obvious choice. Someone is bound to reinterpret this as wanting JWP back - probably someone who swore he would never leave 😉 - but that would be the work of a dork.

Personally think Bragg is very good and more than capable covering in the midfield.

I think, for many people, Cam Bragg exceeded expectations last season.
In some respects he has the same attributes as JWP.
Came up through the ranks, an intelligent individual, trains hard and willing to learn.
Like JWP he also not the quickest and hopefully will be able to add a more physical side to his game.
Hopefully he will add goalscoring to his repertoire too.
Best of luck to the lad. I hope he becomes a regular in the side.

[BarberSaint]

21 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

It’s a plausible rumour. He’s basically finished at West Ham, one year left on his contract and Nuno obviously doesn’t think much of him. We probably wouldn’t be able to afford his wages, but I doubt the Hammers would get 100%from anyone else. Selling Jander and Charles whilst getting JWP on loan for 75% wages makes a lot of sense financially, we probably make £40m net profit out of it.

Except both of those are far better now than he ever was.

 

No thanks.

[hypochondriac]

10 minutes ago, BarberSaint said:

Except both of those are far better now than he ever was.

 

No thanks.

I don't think anyone is suggesting we buy Jwp to play instead of Jander or Charles. The suggestion is if we sold both of them he would be a reasonable sign NG in that scenario.

[Dr Who?]

Last season JWP said he did not want to play in the Championship, mainly because he had a dream of getting in the England squad, I suppose after another dreadful season he might rethink this, but the sticking point would be his wages,it would be one hell of a drop. There must be a premier league side looking out for this sort of player, but I suppose they will not want to be another of his clubs to get relegated. I’m not sure to be honest, but if we can make it work for the right money he 100% can do a pretty good job in the Championship I should think. 

[Baird of the land]

6 minutes ago, Dr Who? said:

Last season JWP said he did not want to play in the Championship, mainly because he had a dream of getting in the England squad, I suppose after another dreadful season he might rethink this, but the sticking point would be his wages,it would be one hell of a drop. There must be a premier league side looking out for this sort of player, but I suppose they will not want to be another of his clubs to get relegated. I’m not sure to be honest, but if we can make it work for the right money he 100% can do a pretty good job in the Championship I should think. 

What premier league club wants a player who was too bad to start for forest, West Ham and Burnley.

nobody with any sense in the championship should be running to rescue west ham from his massive wages, anymore than team’s were rushing to free us of Aribo in august.

[Tommy Mulgrew]

A quote from a Foxes of Leicester article about the likely appointment of Martin and the prospect of him signing Smallbone and Bazunu (they obviously do not look at the stats or this forum):

With Bazunu in between the sticks, a promotion challenge could be on the cards.
 

Keep on praying lads and lasses; make it happen.

🦊🦊🦊 👍    😇

[St Chalet]

This forum got George Burley the Scotland job, make it happen chaps!

[Charlie Wayman]

9 hours ago, spyinthesky said:

In my humble opinion JWP was better than many on here give him credit for.
He was an accurate passer and crosser of the ball and turned into more of a midfield ball winner later in his career.
He hardly missed a game as far as I can recollect.
He was never the quickest of players but always put in a shift.
Perhaps his age and wages would act against him but I wouldnt dismiss him out of hand.

I would, he always was and always will be a journeyman who can take a good free kick. Otherwise he is just average crap

[LeG]

9 hours ago, beatlesaint said:

The only question is where ? 😂

Aston Villa when Emi Martinez goes to Juve. 

[LeG]

This is a guess btw!

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

A quote from a Foxes of Leicester article about the likely appointment of Martin and the prospect of him signing Smallbone and Bazunu (they obviously do not look at the stats or this forum):

With Bazunu in between the sticks, a promotion challenge could be on the cards.
 

Keep on praying lads and lasses; make it happen.

🦊🦊🦊 👍    😇

I've been telling my Leicester supporting colleagues how vital both Baz and Smallbone are, to Martin's system.

With Baz, it's important to preempt doubt, by admitting right away that there are better shot stoppers about. And then focus on the cool sweeper keeper you get, and how calm the defence will be playing it out.

Just doing my bit. 🙂

Edited 11 hours ago by Holmes_and_Watson

[Turkish]

Anyone else worried this could be the end for Captain Jack?

[Oisin]

14 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Anyone else worried this could be the end for Captain Jack?

No - Jack is not restricted or defined by a mere 2 positions. 

[LiberalCommunist]

I'm personally really looking forward to seeing Jack back in the shirt next season. What a great resurgence he had last season. If we keep our defence together this summer, we are going to be tough to score against in the new campaign. 

[beatlesaint]

9 minutes ago, LiberalCommunist said:

I'm personally really looking forward to seeing Jack back in the shirt next season. What a great resurgence he had last season. If we keep our defence together this summer, we are going to be tough to score against in the new campaign. 

Tbh I agree, can’t say I’m greatly looking forward to seeing him back next season but last season he certainly stepped up, and that’s coming from someone who has never been a fan of his.

[coalman]

9 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I've been telling my Leicester supporting colleagues how vital both Baz and Smallbone are, to Martin's system.

With Baz, it's important to preempt doubt, by admitting right away that there are better shot stoppers about. And then focus on the cool sweeper keeper you get, and how calm the defence will be playing it out.

Just doing my bit. 🙂

The opposing team can't shoot if they don't have the ball. Baz is a necessary component in the quest for 100% possession. Shot stopping isn't necessary in a modern football team.

[LordHester]

20 hours ago, Saint86 said:

So, in summation, you agree with my general sentiments of alarm over the prospect of Long and Baz being our backups 😅

Abraham Lincoln said that it's better to keep your mouth shut and have people *think* you're a fool than open it and prove it without doubt. Just a thought for you there.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Alex McCarthy looks set to retire. Unconfirmed, just from someone I know.

Surprised the full released/retained list hasn’t been done yet.

[revolution saint]

3 minutes ago, LordHester said:

Abraham Lincoln said that it's better to keep your mouth shut and have people *think* you're a fool than open it and prove it without doubt. Just a thought for you there.

Apparently Lincoln didn't actually say that: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/05/17/remain-silent/
He did say Baz is shit and shouldn't be anywhere near the first team though.

[LordHester]

1 minute ago, revolution saint said:

Apparently Lincoln didn't actually say that: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/05/17/remain-silent/
He did say Baz is shit and shouldn't be anywhere near the first team though.

Well, he might have done, as might a bunch of other people. But - fair enough - should have kept my mouth shut 😁

[swedish dave]

22 hours ago, Chez said:

On relegation, you'd assume his wages would be cut in half. If they were halved again by West Ham covering 50% of his championship wage, then he'd be affordable.

I know people point to him being a crab, and slowing things down, but his quality of first touch and weight of pass does the opposite IMO. I recall the horrific game against Grimsby, where we were so so slow in possession. JWP was brought on for the last ten minutes, he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and the ball was moved about the pitch very quickly. It wasn't enough, but it stood out in my mind just the difference he made. 

That said, I've not watched him for a long time, so I'm not sure if he has the legs to get around and up and down the pitch. Perhaps there are better options. Bragg is tidy, and looks a similar type of player...recycle, recyle, recyle...so maybe we need to look for a slightly different type.

JWP always made a point of being " super fit" and he covered more ground than anyone else in games.

He played every minute of every game in our last two seasons in the Prem. before his move, ( A Prem. record)

After he joined WHam, Moyes used him in almost every game and he delivered with 8 goals and 8 assists, but 

after WHam (foolishly) sacked DM (who won them their first trophy in decades), JWP fell out of favour with those

who followed on as their manager.  There followed a series of ill-chosen loan-outs for James..

I don't suppose that Prowsey lapsed in his training routine, and maintained a good level of fitness.

Passing 30 is not a death sentence for a good player.  James Milner has just retired ...after passing 40. 
 

I have consistently read "his critics " on this site, but I see him as anchor in midfield whilst Charles and Jander

are good players, they are both young and have much to learn, and may not still be with Saints come August.

NOTE ; I don't make comparisons with Walcott and Lallana's swan songs with us, who had seen their best

years before they came back .  For me ...getting Prowsey back ......is a no-brainer. 

[saintant]

11 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Alex McCarthy looks set to retire. Unconfirmed, just from someone I know.

Surprised the full released/retained list hasn’t been done yet.

Thought he already had 🙂

[OldNick]

'Look at David Raya go!' | Arsenal goalkeeper outpaces James Ward-Prowse and then pulls off backheel | Football News | Sky Sports

[coalman]

31 minutes ago, saintant said:

Thought he already had 🙂

Only from protecting his near post. He'd now be retiring from keeping the other parts of the goal as well.

[beatlesaint]

11 minutes ago, coalman said:

Only from protecting his near post. He'd now be retiring from keeping the other parts of the goal as well.

To be fair he was better than Kelvin Davis at protecting his near post......low bar admittedly 😂

[Draino76]

The best thing JWP could do for Saints is sit on his arse for a year and drain West Ham's budget.