Summer Transfer Window 2026

[Roo1976]

I still think we should look into the possibility of getting James McAtee on loan from forest............apparently was very good when playing on loan at Sheff U.............unless Glasner sees him as a ready made replacement for Anderson...............

[saintant]

3 hours ago, sadoldgit said:

And yet many posters had no problem with Charles leaving and we more than happy with a Downes/Bragg starting pair? The problem today apart from the brain farts from Stephens and Manning was the lack of Jander…oh and the dreadful state of our crosses into the box.

You missed out the main cause of today's defeat which was Tonda's decision to play Dobbin on the left wing with Leo wandering about between Larin and the midfield thus leaving a huge hole which Watford proceeded to exploit. We normally look compact but not playing that system which was a disaster.

 

[ally_uk]

I'd like to us sign two experienced players who are absolute shit houses. Tough tackling nonsense generals / leaders.

You saw it today and last season aswell, Soon as we come up against opposition who play dirty we roll over like a bunch of wet fannies. 

Thats what I think we have lacked for a few seasons now a couple of old school type destroyers. 

 

 

[DrSuess1979]

38 minutes ago, ally_uk said:

I'd like to us sign two experienced players who are absolute shit houses. Tough tackling nonsense generals / leaders.

You saw it today and last season aswell, Soon as we come up against opposition who play dirty we roll over like a bunch of wet fannies. 

Thats what I think we have lacked for a few seasons now a couple of old school type destroyers. 

 

 

We have 1 in Downes ! then people complain when he gets his standard yellow card.

[Teamsaint1]

3 minutes ago, DrSuess1979 said:

We have 1 in Downes ! then people complain when he gets his standard yellow card.

 True , but todays  yellow was avoidable , without losing his basic aggression.

Edited yesterday at 20:56 by Teamsaint1

[Willo of Whiteley]

We need three or four more players.

And need to lose the deadwood which includes Brereton-Diaz, Edozie, Ramsdale, Quarshie, Bazunu and Sugawara.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

1 hour ago, ally_uk said:

I'd like to us sign two experienced players who are absolute shit houses. Tough tackling nonsense generals / leaders.

You saw it today and last season aswell, Soon as we come up against opposition who play dirty we roll over like a bunch of wet fannies. 

Thats what I think we have lacked for a few seasons now a couple of old school type destroyers. 

 

 

Certainly handled teams like this in the second half of last season. Have you forgotten that? 

Watford capitalised on two mistakes, Saints were bad in the first half. But improved in the second. 

Let's see what happens versus Stoke.

[Bakovnetski]

15 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

We need three or four more players.

And need to lose the deadwood which includes Brereton-Diaz, Edozie, Ramsdale, Quarshie, Bazunu and Sugawara.

I don't think Quarshie has had enough time to show he's deadwood yet. A run in the side instead of the stellar Stephens may prove the point.

[Turkish]

5 minutes ago, Bakovnetski said:

I don't think Quarshie has had enough time to show he's deadwood yet. A run in the side instead of the stellar Stephens may prove the point.

What’s he done to prove he’s any better? 
 

I personally think THB and Wood are our best pair but Stephens seems to be loved by every manager

[VectisSaint]

2 hours ago, saintant said:

You missed out the main cause of today's defeat which was Tonda's decision to play Dobbin on the left wing with Leo wandering about between Larin and the midfield thus leaving a huge hole which Watford proceeded to exploit. We normally look compact but not playing that system which was a disaster.

 

No sadoldgit was spot on. The Dobbin/Azaz thing was partly due to Azaz not being fit to start, it wasn't a mistake. Also Scienza being clattered time and again in the first few minutes meant we have no idea whether it would work or not, Scienza might as well have been taken off, they really took him out of the game. The huge hole would have been covered by Jander/Charles.

[saintant]

33 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

No sadoldgit was spot on. The Dobbin/Azaz thing was partly due to Azaz not being fit to start, it wasn't a mistake. Also Scienza being clattered time and again in the first few minutes meant we have no idea whether it would work or not, Scienza might as well have been taken off, they really took him out of the game. The huge hole would have been covered by Jander/Charles.

Of course it was a mistake. Dobbin was a disaster on the wing. Leo just left the midfield exposed particularly Bragg because of the huge gap between him and Downes/Bragg plus he was continually clattered and risked serious injury. When Azaz plays there we look compact because he understands the need to mainly stay in touch with the two midfielders.

Leo should have played on the left with Dobbin assigned for the Azaz role until the part way through the second half.

[goodymatt]

 

[Chez]

56 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

 

The CM article says:

"Although this amount is beyond Benfica's reach, it is very likely that the deal will be completed for a lower sum, since Harwood-Bellis is in the penultimate year of his contract with Southampton. In this sense, Benfica's board is optimistic that the deal will be finalized by the end of the summer transfer window for a fee below €30 million."

 

 

[Toussaint]

9 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

We need three or four more players.

And need to lose the deadwood which includes Brereton-Diaz, Edozie, Ramsdale, Quarshie, Bazunu and Sugawara.

I wouldn’t get rid of Quarshie, and don’t put Ramsdale in the “deadwood” category, but I think I know what you mean. But I think I’ve had about enough of Edozie, despite showing promise he never actually improves, and rarely affects games. 

[Toussaint]

If THB goes, (id like him to stay), he’s earned the right for a crack at something better. He goes with my blessing. If it’s true about the others who want out, they were signed for the championship, they have given us one season and are under contracts, so, unless it’s absolutely in the clubs best interest they can just suck up another season of championship football. 

[KingInDaSouf]

Not sure I'd put too much stock in a report from what is basically the Portuguese equivalent of The Sun. 

[Bakovnetski]

9 hours ago, Turkish said:

What’s he done to prove he’s any better? 
 

I personally think THB and Wood are our best pair but Stephens seems to be loved by every manager

That's my point, Turkish. He hasn't proven it yet but IMO he hasn't had much of an opportunity with a few cameo appearances. I can recall Wood getting a lot of stick before he had an extended run in the team. At some point Cap'n Jack will get injured or form will fade and we would need options if Wood can't step in again due to any number of reasons. 

[Chez]

12 hours ago, Roo1976 said:

I still think we should look into the possibility of getting James McAtee on loan from forest............apparently was very good when playing on loan at Sheff U.............unless Glasner sees him as a ready made replacement for Anderson...............

Forest have been trying to buy Lucas Bergvall to replace Anderson, so I don't think they see McAtee as the guy. In general he plays in a more advanced position. He's hardly played though, so I am guessing would be available to someone. 

[Chez]

21 minutes ago, Bakovnetski said:

That's my point, Turkish. He hasn't proven it yet but IMO he hasn't had much of an opportunity with a few cameo appearances. I can recall Wood getting a lot of stick before he had an extended run in the team. At some point Cap'n Jack will get injured or form will fade and we would need options if Wood can't step in again due to any number of reasons. 

The manager sees him every day at training. His uncomfortableness on the ball, positional play and decision-making must continue to outweigh the physical attributes he brings to the table.  I guess also, the winning run will have made it easy for the manager in terms of selection. 

How did Quashie look in the pre-season games?

[Chez]

I thought some of Chris Wilders comments from his press conference at the end of last week were quite interesting. On Anel Ahmedhodzic:

“Well, he's a centre-half, apparently he's available, and he's got history with the football club. But we're not just eyeing one player up; that's a dangerous game to play. So there are options out there, in the loan market and with small fees, as we understand.

Sounds like they are trying to get him on loan rather than pay a fee. Which makes sense as they have fuck all money.The reality after the parachute payments run out:

"We're a club that last season was the last year of parachute payments. There's no opportunity to go and buy somebody to replace Gus."

And this comment really rams home the game of chicken played in terms of trying to sell and then when that fails offering them on loan. Thoughts of getting circa £30m from our deadwood may be a little hopeful:

“So we're going to have to be involved in the chaos, which is the last 10 days where everybody turns from permanent signings. We get told it has to be a permanent and then in the last week of the chaos, players will be coming up left, right and centre.

[Wade Garrett]

1 hour ago, Toussaint said:

I wouldn’t get rid of Quarshie, and don’t put Ramsdale in the “deadwood” category, but I think I know what you mean. But I think I’ve had about enough of Edozie, despite showing promise he never actually improves, and rarely affects games. 

Quarshie isn’t good enough.  A gamble that won’t pay off.

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, Bakovnetski said:

That's my point, Turkish. He hasn't proven it yet but IMO he hasn't had much of an opportunity with a few cameo appearances. I can recall Wood getting a lot of stick before he had an extended run in the team. At some point Cap'n Jack will get injured or form will fade and we would need options if Wood can't step in again due to any number of reasons. 

He has good attributes but looks a bit brainless and clumsy to me. He was signed as a cheap development player which is fine but I don’t really see him as a first choice player for a team that claims it wants to win the title

the odd one here is Sanda, cost more than Quarsie despite coming from the SR family. Been here two years now and seems no closer to the first team squad than when he joined. A really weird signing given the fee.

[sfc4prem]

1 hour ago, KingInDaSouf said:

Not sure I'd put too much stock in a report from what is basically the Portuguese equivalent of The Sun. 

How would they know THB has told us he wants to go to Benfica, as their big claim purports? That's a very private, possibly only verbal, piece of communication to have gotten their hands on.

[Chez]

2 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Quarshie isn’t good enough.  A gamble that won’t pay off.

I had my doubts when we signed him. As much as we desire strong and quick defenders that can defend, you simply have to be good with the ball and make good decisions all of the time. CBs see so much of the ball these days and if your technique is not up to scratch, you become a liability. That said, I've not seen any pre season games so haven't seen if there has been any progression - hence my question.

[Saint Garrett]

Got a huge amount to do in the next 2 weeks IMO, if we're serious about going up. 

GK: Ramsdale, Bazunu out, backup keeper in.

RB: Sugawara out, rest is fine
LB: Fine
CB: I'd like to see Ahmedhodžić in and Quashie out on loan somewhere. Simply have to keep THB. As a minimum we keep it as it is. Poo Kayi-Sanda out too.

CM: Really need atleast 1 in here. Not just a young backup, someone that can influence the team straight away and fight for a first team spot. Matsuki isn't the answer there.
AM/Wide: Edozie out. Arguably we need a RW, but unlikely to see one. Thought it was interesting that we didn't see Fellows yesterday? Potentially off? Need to bring in a starter if so..

ST: BBD, Downs & Archer got to go. Can't see it happening but another incoming maybe here. Maybe we bring in a striker that can also play wide.

So that is still 9 out, and 3/4 in? Can't see it happening mind...

[skintsaint]

7 minutes ago, Turkish said:

the odd one here is Sanda, cost more than Quarsie despite coming from the SR family. Been here two years now and seems no closer to the first team squad than when he joined. A really weird signing given the fee.

Played a few times in the preseason didn't he? Still only 19 so 3 years younger than Quarsie. Guess we will see over the next couple of seasons how Sanda pans out.

[Chez]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

He has good attributes but looks a bit brainless and clumsy to me. He was signed as a cheap development player which is fine but I don’t really see him as a first choice player for a team that claims it wants to win the title

the odd one here is Sanda, cost more than Quarsie despite coming from the SR family. Been here two years now and seems no closer to the first team squad than when he joined. A really weird signing given the fee.

Good young prospects are not cheap, as we know with likes of Tierry Small and Larios, and he was in the French u18 side, so he wasn't a complete unknown, but like so many others, he hasn't worked out, yet. Spending decisions like that do have major consequences. That money could have been spent on bumper wage packets for Morgan and Ballard perhaps, who the club knew were going to be decent players...

[Toussaint]

15 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Quarshie isn’t good enough.  A gamble that won’t pay off.

I was thinking more as cover if we do lose THB and don’t find an adequate replacement. I don’t think he’s anything special, just goes to the modern trend of favouring athletes.

[iansums]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

He has good attributes but looks a bit brainless and clumsy to me. He was signed as a cheap development player which is fine but I don’t really see him as a first choice player for a team that claims it wants to win the title

the odd one here is Sanda, cost more than Quarsie despite coming from the SR family. Been here two years now and seems no closer to the first team squad than when he joined. A really weird signing given the fee.

Much like Stephens for that first goal yesterday.

[sadoldgit]

15 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

People have no problem with him leaving because of his contract situation, the need to sell to balance the books and the fact that we have three other decent midfielders in Downes, Jander and Bragg. FD and CB is clearly one of the weaker combinations and everone acknowledges the need to replace Charles with someone, so I don't know what you're complaining about.

Today was about making do with who's fit, nobody was 'happy' about it. We tried Matsuki at Colchester to little effect, this was our only other option.

My point wasn’t about the circumstances of Charles leaving. It was that some said that the Downes/Bragg pairing would be fine.

[tdmickey3]

1 hour ago, Wade Garrett said:

Quarshie isn’t good enough.  A gamble that won’t pay off.

Nor is Stephens but this seems to escape the thoughts of SFC

[trousers]

If Quarshie isn't good enough to play in a promotion chasing championship team, why on Earth did we buy him in the first place...?

[beatlesaint]

7 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Nor is Stephens but this seems to escape the thoughts of SFC

Aah but he’s been here a long time and loves the club mate.

Thats the usual, actually only, defence people come up with for him. 😉

[BotleySaint]

Not much time left in the window. It's obviously a good thing we've kept Larin (2 in 2 already) and Peretz. Dobbin will have his day, I am sure.

But still feels like we're standing still in terms of developing the squad.

Maybe it's all we can afford, but we could do with 2-3 more first team or close to first team ready players. A replacement for Charles (for depth), someone out wide, and a better CB to play alongside THB. I don't mind Wood there, but Stephens has to be benched now. Loanees would be fine if we can get them.

As with the City striker on loan, I expect we'll be trying to do this on the cheap.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

If Quarshie isn't good enough to play in a promotion chasing championship team, why on Earth did we buy him in the first place...?

Potential, no doubt. That seems to be our trading model. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

4 hours ago, goodymatt said:

 

This is turning into more of a non-story by the day.

You can tell journos just spout more shit.

If we'd won yesterday and he'd scored the equaliser, turning away and kissing the badge the same "source" would be saying he's signed a new five year contract.

[BS8Saint]

5 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

Aah but he’s been here a long time and loves the club mate.

Thats the usual, actually only, defence people come up with for him. 😉

I thought he was pretty solid in our unbeaten run before his injury pretty much ended his season.

no denying he was at fault for both goals yesterday though. 
 

At Champ level he seems to get better the longer he’s in the team. Would certainly not be averse to someone coming in at CB to challenge him..

[BS8Saint]

1 hour ago, sfc4prem said:

How would they know THB has told us he wants to go to Benfica, as their big claim purports? That's a very private, possibly only verbal, piece of communication to have gotten their hands on.

THB’s agent?! 

[Chez]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

If Quarshie isn't good enough to play in a promotion chasing championship team, why on Earth did we buy him in the first place...?

he fit the criteria provided to the scouts/analysts - young, big/tall and fast...with ability on the ball slightly less important.

[UpweySaint]

26 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

My point wasn’t about the circumstances of Charles leaving. It was that some said that the Downes/Bragg pairing would be fine.

I don’t recall anyone saying that but could be wrong. I don’t fancy trawling back through and I imagine you don’t either!

In certain circumstances I expect Downes and Bragg could work but it’s not ideal and shouldn’t be the default pairing - I expect most can agree ok that. We are light in centre mid and need a different profile for sure.

I’m not sure on physicality but I spotted a tenuous Celtic link to Matt O’Reilly going back. I remember him being a player we targeted previously. Probably unrealistic but he adds goals and creativity from midfield, I THINK he could play as an 8. A loan with an option to buy if we go up maybe? 

[Chez]

1 hour ago, sfc4prem said:

How would they know THB has told us he wants to go to Benfica, as their big claim purports? That's a very private, possibly only verbal, piece of communication to have gotten their hands on.

Very good question. Could well be bollocks, but equally, I thought the usual transfer routine went along the lines of:

1.Buying club approaches player's agent to see if they would consider a move to them, to understand their wage demands and to find out about any release clauses/get an idea of the price the selling club would demand
2. Buying club approaches selling club and makes an offer

...ergo, if an offer has gone in then you can usually assume the player is reasonably happy to make the move, all be it the wife might step in and bring the player back to reality.

 

[Chez]

8 minutes ago, UpweySaint said:

I’m not sure on physicality but I spotted a tenuous Celtic link to Matt O’Reilly going back. I remember him being a player we targeted previously. Probably unrealistic but he adds goals and creativity from midfield, I THINK he could play as an 8. A loan with an option to buy if we go up maybe? 

Decent shout, but he went out on loan to Marseille last season, which is a pretty big name club. I don't know for sure, but my guess is he would regard the championship as being beneath him. Most PL player seem to much prefer a move abroad than the lower league. A promoted club might get him. Maybe someone like West Ham at a push...

[CB Fry]

29 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

This is turning into more of a non-story by the day.

You can tell journos just spout more shit.

If we'd won yesterday and he'd scored the equaliser, turning away and kissing the badge the same "source" would be saying he's signed a new five year contract.

Why would a Lisbon based newspaper be reporting on Taylor Harwood-Bellis signing a new five year contract at Saints? 

[goodymatt]

Translation:

🚨 Benfica, VERY close to reaching an agreement with Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

🤝 ACTIVE negotiations for 20M€.

✅ Player has given the green light to the transfer.

[Chez]

14 hours ago, ally_uk said:

I'd like to us sign two experienced players who are absolute shit houses. Tough tackling nonsense generals / leaders.

You saw it today and last season aswell, Soon as we come up against opposition who play dirty we roll over like a bunch of wet fannies. 

Thats what I think we have lacked for a few seasons now a couple of old school type destroyers. 

I'd like us to sign another central midfielder in the Jander mode. Not some wonderful physical specimen, but a guy with a great first tough, decent engine and the desire/ability to keep the ball just that little bit longer than you think he should.  We don't need a 'one touch, give it to someone better' type, we need a player that guy passes to. A Kees Smit but without the £50m price tag.

[Oldandtired]

2 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

Quarshie isn’t good enough.  A gamble that won’t pay off.

as is putting Stephens in week after week.

[AlexLaw76]

Reckon there are legs in this rumour. Boooooooo

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Reckon there are legs in this rumour. Boooooooo

Can’t really blame him can you. Nothing to prove with another season in the championship. He’ll get to move to a big club, challenge for the title, European football too. Shop window for a year or two before getting a bigger move to a top club. 

[Rebel]

1 hour ago, sadoldgit said:

My point wasn’t about the circumstances of Charles leaving. It was that some said that the Downes/Bragg pairing would be fine.

Bragg had a bad game - he did some good things, but more bad than good yesterday.  Lacked a bit of physicality.  But he will play better than that for most games.  

The real difference was Scienza and/or Dobbin weren't providing any help in central midfield. We looked a lot better when Azaz came on and played like an attacking central midfielder.

Scienza and Dobbin are both wingers really - more than No. 10s  - and I see them as competing for the left wing slot going forwards.  Which means we still need to find cover for Azaz at attacking midfield / No. 10.

I don't think anyone had a problem with Charles leaving or the club selling him but I think we expected them to have replaced straight away - we certainly missed having another 6/8 midfielder in the squad yesterday.  

Even with Charles and Bragg in the squad last season we felt the need for another 6 and signed Romeu. It didn't work out but we still need another 6 this season.

Personally I think we need another 10 to cover for Azaz, plus another 8 and another 6 to cover for Jander, Bragg and Downes. 

[Chez]

As has been mentioned a few times, Silva would probably be at the heart of the approach, assuming it's real, which means THB will be on Fulham's radar. Fulham seem a tad short in that area too. I count three senior CBs and Cuenca was behind Diop in the season run in, who has left for Ipswich. Bassey is out of contract next season too.