Summer Transfer Window 2026

[Convict Colony]

15 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

I mean all you need to do is watch him for 5 minutes to see that he’s nowhere near this level and never will be. 
 

 I wish that wasn’t the case, considering how much we spent.  

you must know more than poch he's made 6 appearances for the us team under him.

[Saint86]

Ballard being linked to West Ham now . Club need to fix this error. We should re-sign him with the discount sell on fee and give them downs for the season on loan as a sweetener (no one tell them he's shit) - might be good for his development/confidence in the English game..

Also in for Dael fry for a free from Middlesbrough - which is good business for them annoyingly, and certainly a big step up for him.

Edited 7 hours ago by Saint86

[Chez]

42 minutes ago, revolution saint said:

So, who do we think could be the new number 10 competition for Azaz?  

How about Yaser Asprilla?

It has not worked out at Girona. Despite being their record signing, he was loaned to Galatasaray in January. I don't think they are taking up the buy option they had. I know that won't inspire confidence, but he's only 22 and looked a very good player at Watford. Perhaps we could take him on loan with a buy option of our own. Maybe Girona pay some of his wages too, as I imagine they are sizeable and they will be desperate to get him off the wage bill as they were relegated.  

[Wade Garrett]

I think free is still too much for Fry.  

[Chez]

39 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

you must know more than poch he's made 6 appearances for the us team under him.

If you count the preseason games, Wrexham and Northampton games, it's probably a similar amount of games for Saints fans and Poch to come to the same conclusion.  😉

[Chez]

7 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

I think free is still too much for Fry.  

The Northern Echo headline writers' ears will prick as 'Free Fry No Fun' emerges as a possibility...

[revolution saint]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

Someone like Dibling on loan?

I wouldn't be averse to having him back on loan and seems like he left on good terms within the club.  Not sure Everton would spend that kind of money and then loan him out after only one season but might suit all parties. You'd think a loan signing whoever it is would make sense

47 minutes ago, Chez said:

How about Yaser Asprilla?

It has not worked out at Girona. Despite being their record signing, he was loaned to Galatasaray in January. I don't think they are taking up the buy option they had. I know that won't inspire confidence, but he's only 22 and looked a very good player at Watford. Perhaps we could take him on loan with a buy option of our own. Maybe Girona pay some of his wages too, as I imagine they are sizeable and they will be desperate to get him off the wage bill as they were relegated.  

Good shout, I remember you talking about him when we played Watford a couple of years ago. Must admit I don't know too much about him but Watford always seem to recruit decent athletes that can hold their own in the championship.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 hour ago, Saint86 said:

Ballard being linked to West Ham now . Club need to fix this error. We should re-sign him with the discount sell on fee and give them downs for the season on loan as a sweetener (no one tell them he's shit) - might be good for his development/confidence in the English game..

Also in for Dael fry for a free from Middlesbrough - which is good business for them annoyingly, and certainly a big step up for him.

I doubt he would be much interested in coming back to a club who thought he wasn't good enough in the first place. Especially if West Ham are sniffing around. Not sure I would be that bothered anyway missing out. He might be able to step up, but then again League 1 could be his limit. We haven't really got the wriggle room to find out.

[Saint Pete]

1 hour ago, Saint86 said:

Ballard being linked to West Ham now . Club need to fix this error. We should re-sign him with the discount sell on fee and give them downs for the season on loan as a sweetener (no one tell them he's shit) - might be good for his development/confidence in the English game..

Also in for Dael fry for a free from Middlesbrough - which is good business for them annoyingly, and certainly a big step up for him.

Not sure about re-signing Ballard, it only makes sense for either party if we think he's likely to be a regular starter. The lad's benefitting from regular football now so wouldn't be the right move for him if he ends up back on our bench for most of the season. I haven't seen him play for Orient but seems like he's been played centrally? I don't think he fits the profile for what we need to replace Stewart as he doesn't have the physical stature (think the Larin/Stewart interchange worked really well in terms of the way we want to play so we should be looking for a similar kind of striker to continue that plan). 

Equally not sure West Ham is the right move for him either, he probably needs a season with a lower ranking Championship side to establish himself at that level in a starting role. 

[AlexLaw76]

We need more goals in the team. Stewart gone which leave Larin as the main man. That is not enough, simply. We need another

[HKsaint]

It seems that Down is to replace Stewart. 

[Saint Pete]

10 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

We need more goals in the team. Stewart gone which leave Larin as the main man. That is not enough, simply. We need another

Agree, the club definitely shouldn't fall into the trap of thinking "let's give Downs another chance, he will come good eventually". Appears he did nothing on his loan spell away so there's absolutely no justification for placing any reliance on him back with us! We should stick with the blueprint of 2nd half of last season and look to sign another target man type of striker with physical strength to interchange with Larin to replace Stewart. If Archer is happy to stay, I would keep him on as an option for a smaller different kind of striker for when plan A not working and also as useful backup option in wide positions. 

[Chez]

24 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

Not sure about re-signing Ballard, it only makes sense for either party if we think he's likely to be a regular starter. The lad's benefitting from regular football now so wouldn't be the right move for him if he ends up back on our bench for most of the season. I haven't seen him play for Orient but seems like he's been played centrally? I don't think he fits the profile for what we need to replace Stewart as he doesn't have the physical stature (think the Larin/Stewart interchange worked really well in terms of the way we want to play so we should be looking for a similar kind of striker to continue that plan). 

Equally not sure West Ham is the right move for him either, he probably needs a season with a lower ranking Championship side to establish himself at that level in a starting role. 

It was just unfortunate that he suffered the injury and he/we missed a whole season. That would have made all the difference in our decision making process and potentially he would have got a new deal. It was not to be. Like you say, the regular football at the lower level has been beneficial, and its great he scored the goals - he always looked a great finisher, but what he always lacked was the physical presence - and we have seen with Larin/Stewart what a massive difference that makes to our game. We still need that and shouldn't move away from it just because Larin has signed.

[Chez]

5 minutes ago, HKsaint said:

It seems that Down is to replace Stewart. 

I suppose he will have to be given a chance in preseason, but if he hasn't turned a corner then a loan out and someone loaned back in must be on the cards.

[Miltonaggro]

7 hours ago, East Kent Saint said:

Nothing wrong with that 😄

Nope, positively groovy!

[trousers]

12 minutes ago, HKsaint said:

It seems that Down is to replace Stewart. 

Source?

[Saint Pete]

43 minutes ago, trousers said:

Source?

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/opinion/26194932.southampton-must-back-larin-stewarts-free-transfer/

He might be looking at this from the echo? Includes this section on Downs:-

"Downs looked a lost cause in his limited appearances at St Mary's, but owner Dragan Solak believes he has all the attributes to succeed in England.

Sources have suggested that Larin, who struck up a good relationship with struggling Archer, can help Downs to better settle into the squad."

[Baird of the land]

8 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/opinion/26194932.southampton-must-back-larin-stewarts-free-transfer/

He might be looking at this from the echo? Includes this section on Downs:-

"Downs looked a lost cause in his limited appearances at St Mary's, but owner Dragan Solak believes he has all the attributes to succeed in England.

Sources have suggested that Larin, who struck up a good relationship with struggling Archer, can help Downs to better settle into the squad."

Sounds more like he might be the archer replacement, who i assume is still looking for an exit.

[trousers]

19 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/opinion/26194932.southampton-must-back-larin-stewarts-free-transfer/

He might be looking at this from the echo? Includes this section on Downs:-

"Downs looked a lost cause in his limited appearances at St Mary's, but owner Dragan Solak believes he has all the attributes to succeed in England.

Sources have suggested that Larin, who struck up a good relationship with struggling Archer, can help Downs to better settle into the squad."

I'm more inclined to go with the subsequent paragraphs in that report... 

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by trousers

[Saint Pete]

12 minutes ago, trousers said:

I'm more inclined to go with the subsequent paragraphs in that report... 

 

 

Well yeah, but is that later part the club view or Alfie House's view? The bits that are quoting Solak or club "sources" seem to be angling towards Downs being given another go, but time will tell I guess. 

[OldNick]

On 15/06/2026 at 12:53, Tamesaint said:

Wasn't there some story about AA continuously taking the piss out of DD due  to his Wrexham miss on the  opening day?

If true no wonder his confidence is shot.

 

Shame if true, but DD had plenty of ammo to throw back considering AA's misses time and again

Edited 3 hours ago by OldNick

[OldNick]

I havent given up on Downs just yet, he's only 21 I think. The goal he scored in pre season gave me confidence at the time that we had found a decent forward. Sadly it didnt materialise, Im hoping he does come through for us as the club paid quite a lot for him and so is an investment.

Good luck Damian I hope he can show us that he is not a dud, afterall posters need to goback and read what they said about Larin before he joined, and even Peretz after his first game!!

[hypochondriac]

4 minutes ago, OldNick said:

I havent given up on Downs just yet, he's only 21 I think. The goal he scored in pre season gave me confidence at the time that we had found a decent forward. Sadly it didnt materialise, Im hoping he does come through for us as the club paid quite a lot for him and so is an investment.

Good luck Damian I hope he can show us that he is not a dud, afterall posters need to goback and read what they said about Larin before he joined, and even Peretz after his first game!!

Very true. I thought Larin was a crap loan and he very much proved me wrong. Like you say, a young kid and still maybe a bit of time to regain some confidence and maybe some form under the wing of a couple of other players. Maybe even a loan will improve him. 

[trousers]

16 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

Well yeah, but is that later part the club view or Alfie House's view? The bits that are quoting Solak or club "sources" seem to be angling towards Downs being given another go, but time will tell I guess. 

Probably Alfie's gut feel based on his discussions with Solak. Like others, I'm willing to give Downs the benefit of the doubt for a while longer, but if we go into the season with Downs as the de facto Stewart replacement, then I'll be worried... 

Edited 3 hours ago by trousers

[hypochondriac]

Just now, trousers said:

Probably Alfie's gut feel based on his discussions with Solak. Like others, I'm willing to give Downs the benefit of the doubt for a while longer, but if we go into the season with Downs as the de facto Stewart replacement, then I'll be worried...

Not a chance will we get to the end of the window without signing another striker. Solak isn't stupid and he's already proclaimed we will be as strong or stronger than last year. 

[Saint Pete]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Probably Alfie's gut feel based on his discussions with Solak. Like others, I'm willing to give Downs the benefit of the doubt for a while longer, but if we go into the season with Downs as the de facto Stewart replacement, then I'll be worried...

Agreed, I don't think Downs should be written off at 21 years old and the example given above of Larin is a good one as he shows that strikers can go through fallow periods in front of goal but then come good.

But I also think we shouldn't put reliance on him to fill the gap left by Stewart if we are serious about promotion ambitions. Can we afford to keep Downs in reserve as well as signing another starting option forward? I don't know but I can't see it somehow. I think they will maybe have a look at Downs in pre season but another loan for him is the most likely outcome for him. Then we will bring the Stewart replacement in, probably another loan like Larin. Can't see us moving for a striker until quite late in the window. 

[hypochondriac]

20 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

Agreed, I don't think Downs should be written off at 21 years old and the example given above of Larin is a good one as he shows that strikers can go through fallow periods in front of goal but then come good.

But I also think we shouldn't put reliance on him to fill the gap left by Stewart if we are serious about promotion ambitions. Can we afford to keep Downs in reserve as well as signing another starting option forward? I don't know but I can't see it somehow. I think they will maybe have a look at Downs in pre season but another loan for him is the most likely outcome for him. Then we will bring the Stewart replacement in, probably another loan like Larin. Can't see us moving for a striker until quite late in the window. 

I disagree. The club won't want to pin the goalscoring hopes on to one player. Now that Stewart has gone, a replacement has to be a priority along with the Azaz competition as we have already said. 

[SaintLondon]

2 hours ago, HKsaint said:

It seems that Down is to replace Stewart. 

I have been assured by someone I trust at the club that this *isn't* the case. 

[VectisSaint]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

We need more goals in the team. Stewart gone which leave Larin as the main man. That is not enough, simply. We need another

Not just about goals. Larin will not play anything like 46 league games. His fitness is a big issue which seems to be overlooked. No big injury like Stewart, but little niggling injuries, missing a game or two. We need an alternative, that's why Stewart was a good fit. 

[Baird of the land]

26 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

Agreed, I don't think Downs should be written off at 21 years old and the example given above of Larin is a good one as he shows that strikers can go through fallow periods in front of goal but then come good.

But I also think we shouldn't put reliance on him to fill the gap left by Stewart if we are serious about promotion ambitions. Can we afford to keep Downs in reserve as well as signing another starting option forward? I don't know but I can't see it somehow. I think they will maybe have a look at Downs in pre season but another loan for him is the most likely outcome for him. Then we will bring the Stewart replacement in, probably another loan like Larin. Can't see us moving for a striker until quite late in the window. 

We kept 3 strikers this season and we'll do so again. I'd assume one of bbd, downs,archer will stay after we replace stewart. I'd assume too we'd prefer to cash in on BBd and archer given their contract situation.

[Pwoite]

We apparently don’t need to sell.

We apparently have targets agreed we want to bring in.

Therefore it is in everyone’s interests to get such deals done now: striker, keeper, attacking midfield. 
 

Then put the ultimatum to those potentially leaving that if they want out then they need to have an agreed deal by August 1st, or they are here for the season. If we have the cards, we need to use them.

[Convict Colony]

Damian Downs is gonna cook this season mark my words.

 

 

Disclaimer this post will automatically delete itself if this is proven incorrect, the author assumes no blame and it will not impinge his record of being right 100% on every post.

 

[bangkoksaint]

Damian Downs…..next seasons Gavin Bazunu. A player simply not good enough who we kept persevering with. Hopefully I’m proved very wrong 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Just now, Convict Colony said:

Damian Downs is gonna cook this season mark my words.

 

 

Disclaimer this post will automatically delete itself if this is proven incorrect, the author assumes no blame and it will not impinge his record of being right 100% on every post.

 

"Dear Mr Starmer,

In addition to the sites mentioned in the social media ban, handily appearing during the winter transfer window, may I also recommend restrictions in viewing certain threads on football forums?"

[LiberalCommunist]

I trust Archer more. And I'm still not convinced he'll be anywhere near consistent. 

Don't be clouded by sentiment, Downs will not cut it in the Championship. Please let us not waste half a season confirming this fact. 

[SuperSAINT]

Confidence plays such a big part, but it would take a Lazarus-level resurrection to show me he can cut it with us.

[Miltonaggro]

2 minutes ago, LiberalCommunist said:

I trust Archer more. And I'm still not convinced he'll be anywhere near consistent. 

Don't be clouded by sentiment, Downs will not cut it in the Championship. Please let us not waste half a season confirming this fact. 

Think that I saw about 9 of Downs' 11 appearances for Saints and he appeared to have no desire or ability to play as a focal point centre forward - a shrinking violet, caught behind defenders every game, seemed to have zero pace, positional sense or presence - a fish up a tree in this league.  If you compare him to a young former player of similar size, say Sam Gallagher, when he left us you could still see the striker attributes despite deemed as not enough for us at that time.  Other people have mentioned the likes of James Beattie, but Downs looks more of a Paul Moody to me, though less enthusiastic.     

[Badger]

On 15/06/2026 at 12:53, Tamesaint said:

Wasn't there some story about AA continuously taking the piss out of DD due  to his Wrexham miss on the  opening day?

If true no wonder his confidence is shot.

 

Not seen or heard such a story before. 

[Badger]

7 hours ago, Paul_B said:

At least with Mara you could tell he had an aptitude for playing football. Downs doesn't even have that.

Completely agree about Ballard.

Could you ?

Not so sure on that although Mara had three things that bought him a bit more time: i)his pass v Leeds ii)a cracking goal v Man City and iii)his mum and peoples reaction to her!

Admittedly i and ii are light years ahead of DD but he had many opportunities to provide something. 

 

[bpsaint]

DD has age on his side, so may still turn things around. Genuinely think we should send him on loan to someone like Leicester so he can regain his touch as well as get to grips with the English game at a slightly lesser level. He obviously showed in last preseason he’s got something about him and I can’t see us selling him just yet.

[benjii]

28 minutes ago, Badger said:

Could you ?

Not so sure on that although Mara had three things that bought him a bit more time: i)his pass v Leeds ii)a cracking goal v Man City and iii)his mum and peoples reaction to her!

Admittedly i and ii are light years ahead of DD but he had many opportunities to provide something. 

 

Mara had a good touch and clearly had skill and some power, which is why it was frustrating that he generally did feck all.

By contrast, Downs has looked like a poor man's Dan Nlundulu.

That said, he MUST be better than he has shown so far as there is no way we would have signed him.

We should sign a Stewart replacement but Downs can also be given a pre-season. If he shows nothing we loan him out. If he shows some genuine improvement then he can be third choice if Archer moves on.

Edited 1 hour ago by benjii

[beatlesaint]

36 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

DD has age on his side, so may still turn things around. Genuinely think we should send him on loan to someone like Leicester so he can regain his touch as well as get to grips with the English game at a slightly lesser level. He obviously showed in last preseason he’s got something about him and I can’t see us selling him just yet.

We don’t need to loan any player out who’s coming back with his head full of Russball

[bpsaint]

27 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

We don’t need to loan any player out who’s coming back with his head full of Russball

Russ’ sides score a lot of goals though so DD will get plenty of chances to find the net. It’s more midfield and defence we see peak Russball in all its “glory”.

[Challenger]

Are the club serious about persevering with DD ? Thought after spygate SR said they were done with gambles and mistakes.

[Convict Colony]

8 minutes ago, Challenger said:

Are the club serious about persevering with DD ? Thought after spygate SR said they were done with gambles and mistakes.

he might be the world's greatest spy, give him a chance 

[Gloucester Saint]

16 minutes ago, Challenger said:

Are the club serious about persevering with DD ? Thought after spygate SR said they were done with gambles and mistakes.

The only thing Damian Downs hit last season was allegedly a member of the public’s car. It certainly wasn’t the goal and at least twice not even the ball. Have never seen as bad an outfield player for Saints. Understand why people compare him to an outfield Bazunu but he’s even worse than that.