Summer Transfer Window 2026

[Lighthouse]

10 minutes ago, saintant said:

Well he certainly won't improve dressing room morale if he comes here on big money and fails to contribute as much as team mates on far less.

For a man who thought 34 year old, six months retired Romeu should go straight into our team and would be our fittest player, you’re sure going all in against JWP.

I don’t think we’re going to be signing anyone with a better CV than 400 PL apps. 11 England caps and still only 31 years old.

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

1 minute ago, Osvaldorama said:

He led us into relegation then fucked off as soon as he could 

 

Don’t think he’s the “leader” we need 

I don't think either of us are qualified to comment on that but I would my gut feel is that he was captain because he was a leader and that the club were relatively indifferent to him leaving but West Ham meant he could maintain his England aspirations and not have to move house....

I don't know of course!

[Suhari]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

Although I'm not against jwp, if it turns out that our central midfield for this season is:

Downes 

Jander 

JWP 

Bragg 

Whilst I'd be very happy not to lose Jander I'd still feel a little underwhelmed and feel we lack some options there.

I reckon that is comfortably a top 8 set of MF options. But some way off top 2.

Not enough physicality, guile or goals. Unless we can get JWP firing from open play.

[hypochondriac]

8 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Bit difficult when you’re injured.

That's the claim.

[hypochondriac]

7 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

For a man who thought 34 year old, six months retired Romeu should go straight into our team and would be our fittest player, you’re sure going all in against JWP.

I don’t think we’re going to be signing anyone with a better CV than 400 PL apps. 11 England caps and still only 31 years old.

And someone we sold to the prem for 30 million just three years ago who we would pite tally be getting back for free on loan or for a small outlay.

[Dan Johnson]

The hate towards the signing of James Ward Prowse is absolutely unfounded and utterly ridiculous. I seriously think some people have short memories or skewed memories!!

People saying we need a front footed midfield, to contribute to attack not a “crab footballer”

In our relegation season he scored 9 goals from midfield, he was our top scorer.

the season before he scored 10, in the premier league

the season before that, 8, in the premier league

27 goals from midfield in 3 seasons in the premier league, for us!

the season after, at West Ham, another 7.

34 goals in 4 seasons from midfield. 

he scores goals from midfield, he works his socks off in midfield, he always covers the most distance of any player on the pitch and has more experience and love for this club than we could hope for. 
 

The kind of professional Ward Prowse is, I fully expect him to be able to maintain a standard of fitness until he’s well past his mid 30s.

he will be one of the best midfielders in the championship this season playing regularly and he will score goals!

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Dan Johnson

[saintant]

10 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

For a man who thought 34 year old, six months retired Romeu should go straight into our team and would be our fittest player, you’re sure going all in against JWP.

I don’t think we’re going to be signing anyone with a better CV than 400 PL apps. 11 England caps and still only 31 years old.

We'll find out if and when he signs.

[Saint86]

3 minutes ago, Dan Johnson said:

The hate for James Ward Prowse is absolutely unfounded and utterly ridiculous. I seriously think some people have short memories or skewed memories!!

Agreed, almost feels like we're going to have fans wanting him to fail just at this point. Bit mad.

[saintant]

4 minutes ago, Dan Johnson said:

The hate for James Ward Prowse is absolutely unfounded and utterly ridiculous. I seriously think some people have short memories or skewed memories!!

People saying we need a front footed midfield, to contribute to attack not a “crab footballer”

In our relegation season he scored 9 goals from midfield, he was our top scorer.

the season before he scored 10, in the premier league

the season before that, 8, in the premier league

27 goals from midfield in 3 seasons in the premier league, for us!

the season after, at West Ham, another 7.

34 goals in 4 seasons from midfield. 

he scores goals from midfield, he works his socks off in midfield, he always covers the most distance of any player on the pitch and has more experience and love for this club than we could hope for. 
 

The kind of professional Ward Prowse is, I fully expect him to be able to maintain a standard of fitness until he’s well past his mid 30s.

he will be one of the best midfielders in the championship this season playing regularly and he will score goals!

 

Nobody hates him

 Who has said they hate JWP? Nobody.

[Osvaldorama]

5 minutes ago, Dan Johnson said:

The hate for James Ward Prowse is absolutely unfounded and utterly ridiculous. I seriously think some people have short memories or skewed memories!!

People saying we need a front footed midfield, to contribute to attack not a “crab footballer”

In our relegation season he scored 9 goals from midfield, he was our top scorer.

the season before he scored 10, in the premier league

the season before that, 8, in the premier league

27 goals from midfield in 3 seasons in the premier league, for us!

the season after, at West Ham, another 7.

34 goals in 4 seasons from midfield. 

he scores goals from midfield, he works his socks off in midfield, he always covers the most distance of any player on the pitch and has more experience and love for this club than we could hope for. 
 

The kind of professional Ward Prowse is, I fully expect him to be able to maintain a standard of fitness until he’s well past his mid 30s.

he will be one of the best midfielders in the championship this season playing regularly and he will score goals!

 

No one hates him. 
 

It would just be a poor signing. 
 

He was also relegated at Burnley… who didn’t take up an option to buy him for the championship. What does that tell you 

[saintant]

2 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Agreed, almost feels like we're going to have fans wanting him to fail just at this point. Bit mad.

Nobody wants him to fail. If he comes and is a roaring success all Saints fans will be pleased including me.

[EBS1980]

So if THB goes and Schlotterbeck and another CB come in to become the starting CB pair, that’ll leave an opening for captain……

[Dan Johnson]

2 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

No one hates him. 

Turn of phrase, The hate towards the signing of James Ward Prowse, not hate towards him.

 

[saintant]

3 minutes ago, Dan Johnson said:

Turn of phrase, The hate towards the signing of James Ward Prowse, not hate towards him.

 

Hate is the wrong choice of word imo.

[Badger]

16 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

He led us into relegation then fucked off as soon as he could 

 

Don’t think he’s the “leader” we need 

Think that’s unfair. If you genuinely think that then your selective memory is misleading you. 
 

As I recall you couldn’t fault his effort on the pitch, despite whatever limits there were in his game and the shitshow around him. In our relegation season he scored twice at Everton, and I think scored the winner at Chelsea.

On the subject of Chelsea didn’t he receive a red card there a couple of seasons before ? Shows he can put his foot in occasionally and he isn’t always the angelic choir boy/‘son in law’ he’s made out to be. Put Zaha in his pocket and wound him up well.

I’m not convinced coming back is a great idea. Certainly think he could offer something but main issue is where is he in the pecking order? Jander (assuming he stays) is more of our creative spark in MF, Downes the one to harass the opposition and get things moving (but will inevitably have a couple of suspensions). We need another physical player in MF in my book.  Could JWP be an alternative toAzaz  on occasion? 

[Dan Johnson]

6 minutes ago, saintant said:

Hate is the wrong choice of word imo.

The overwhelming negative reaction, like I said, hate is a turn of phrase 

 

 

[austsaint]

2 minutes ago, Dan Johnson said:

Turn of phrase, The hate towards the signing of James Ward Prowse, not hate towards him.

 

It's not hate towards Prowsey or the signing of him.   He's not really the type of midfielder we need, if Jander stays we need the third CM to be more of a Charles, box-to-box, running mid, that's not JWP.   If he came back and competed with Bragg for the 4th spot and back up for Downes, Jander and the Charles replacement....bring it on.     Not sure we need his corners and free kicks either with Manning and Leo on board.    To be honest he wasn't much of a Captain either, adopting a passive on field demeanour.

Someone mentioned that we would never sign a midfielder with such a long, impressive CV.    While that's true, it's also about the past.  I'd rather a player with a bit of pedigree, still improving and with time on their side.

[Cuddles]

Maybe clutching at straws here, but under Still didn't we bemoan the lack of leaders? Romeu came in November time and things started to improve (OK Tonda might also be involved with that). Romeu leaves and we look short again. Perhaps his presence behind the scenes is now missing, something JWP could add? Or perhaps total bollocks lol

[Patches O Houlihan]

Part of the reason for the crab play was because we were not playing at the top of the division in PL. When crap attackers play against good defenders the passing lanes get closed off and so a forward pass isn't on.

He's a smart guy - just like Azaz. I reckon the two of them linking up down the spine could be very productive: CBs feed JWP. He feeds Azaz. Azaz puts it on a plate for Larin / Scienza / Mumba.

Do you remember the first game of the Championship season under Russell Martin? We beat Sheffield Wednesday 2:1 convincingly and they didn't get a touch in the last ten minutes. JWP ran the show that day.

Playing for a Saints team that deserved to be promoted last season, against Championship opposition is not the same as playing for Saints in the PL when we didn't have a pot to piss in (relatively) 

Walcott's game relied on pace - but it had gone when he returned. JWP's game has never relied on pace - he's about guile, intelligence and stamina. He has the potential to be a James Milner and play into his forties.

Plus when we get promoted to the PL I for one would love to see him take Beckham's record in a Saints shirt.

Edited 8 hours ago by Patches O Houlihan

[Saint Pete]

I don't think JWP is the perfect profile of midfielder that we need to replace Charles, but neither do I think that he has nothing to offer us in the Championship. He is a quality player despite the prejudices of some on here and I don't think we can be so dismissive of quality players in the position we are in. Would be glad if he rejoined us on a loan deal. 

[sadoldgit]

44 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

No one hates him. 
 

It would just be a poor signing. 
 

He was also relegated at Burnley… who didn’t take up an option to buy him for the championship. What does that tell you 

That they couldn’t afford his wages?

[hypochondriac]

44 minutes ago, austsaint said:

It's not hate towards Prowsey or the signing of him.   He's not really the type of midfielder we need, if Jander stays we need the third CM to be more of a Charles, box-to-box, running mid, that's not JWP.   If he came back and competed with Bragg for the 4th spot and back up for Downes, Jander and the Charles replacement....bring it on.     Not sure we need his corners and free kicks either with Manning and Leo on board.    To be honest he wasn't much of a Captain either, adopting a passive on field demeanour.

Someone mentioned that we would never sign a midfielder with such a long, impressive CV.    While that's true, it's also about the past.  I'd rather a player with a bit of pedigree, still improving and with time on their side.

Don't we already have those midfielders with Bragg and Jander?

[austsaint]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

Don't we already have those midfielders with Bragg and Jander?

I don't put Bragg in the "bit of pedigree, still improving" category; he has time on his side but I'm not sure there's much more to come from him.   Jander, yes, he's a gem, and is destined for bigger things.   As things stand, he and Downes are the best central mids we have.    We need a third, in the mould of Charles - that isn't Bragg unfortunately.   

[LaptopSaint]

I thought Akachukwu was our best player in the first half against West Ham and I hope he’ll be forcing himself into the reckoning as the season progresses. And for anyone saying  you don’t win anything with kids I reply Alan fucking Hansen. 

[hypochondriac]

32 minutes ago, austsaint said:

I don't put Bragg in the "bit of pedigree, still improving" category; he has time on his side but I'm not sure there's much more to come from him.   Jander, yes, he's a gem, and is destined for bigger things.   As things stand, he and Downes are the best central mids we have.    We need a third, in the mould of Charles - that isn't Bragg unfortunately.   

Bragg is 21 so still a kid. He had some excellent performances last year and as Blackmore said would learn a lot from the likes of jwp.

[hypochondriac]

26 minutes ago, LaptopSaint said:

I thought Akachukwu was our best player in the first half against West Ham and I hope he’ll be forcing himself into the reckoning as the season progresses. And for anyone saying  you don’t win anything with kids I reply Alan fucking Hansen. 

Akachukwu will be off on loan no doubt.

[Sir Ralph]

Will be a good signing and create a good balance in our midfield including leadership, work rate, creativity, goals and a set piece threat. We currently lack any real threat from set pieces and this would change things. A free transfer it seems with JWP willing to take a big cut in wages - what is not to like!
 

JWP, Downes, Bragg and jander is a good championship midfield

Edited 7 hours ago by Sir Ralph

[Saint Pete]

I see West Ham have just agreed a fee with Brentford to sell them Diouf their left back from last season for £35m initial fee plus £5m potential add ons. Puts the fees talked about for THB so far into perspective?

[austsaint]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

Bragg is 21 so still a kid. He had some excellent performances last year and as Blackmore said would learn a lot from the likes of jwp.

Yes, the Club and Tonda obviously rate him, and as you say, he's young enough.   I hope I'm wrong;  I just don't see many attributes beyond neat and tidy passes and work rate across the pitch.    

[Weston Super Saint]

4 hours ago, austsaint said:

Yes, the Club and Tonda obviously rate him, and as you say, he's young enough.   I hope I'm wrong;  I just don't see many attributes beyond neat and tidy passes and work rate across the pitch.    

He looks like a 'son in law', so could easily attend training sessions at any ground up and down the country without being noticed  

[benjii]

Not against JWP at all but let's also cut to the chase....

we need a big black bloke as well.

[West end Saints]

8 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Part of the reason for the crab play was because we were not playing at the top of the division in PL. When crap attackers play against good defenders the passing lanes get closed off and so a forward pass isn't on.

He's a smart guy - just like Azaz. I reckon the two of them linking up down the spine could be very productive: CBs feed JWP. He feeds Azaz. Azaz puts it on a plate for Larin / Scienza / Mumba.

Do you remember the first game of the Championship season under Russell Martin? We beat Sheffield Wednesday 2:1 convincingly and they didn't get a touch in the last ten minutes. JWP ran the show that day.

Playing for a Saints team that deserved to be promoted last season, against Championship opposition is not the same as playing for Saints in the PL when we didn't have a pot to piss in (relatively) 

Walcott's game relied on pace - but it had gone when he returned. JWP's game has never relied on pace - he's about guile, intelligence and stamina. He has the potential to be a James Milner and play into his forties.

Plus when we get promoted to the PL I for one would love to see him take Beckham's record in a Saints shirt.

During his last season in prem league for us he was our top rated player.

He was feeding Elynoussi, Adam Armstrong, Che Adams, Aribo and Maitland miles!

Would he, improve now feeding the likes of Azaz Scienza, Larin and Fellows in a lower league - most likely.

He was fans and players player of the season for two years running. Suggests a positive influence.

Played for England.

I think the criticism of him now is unfair.

The questions are is he still fit enough and would he improve us.

Playing in a poor Burnley side against Man City towards the end of last season he ran further than any player and got good reviews so hopefully quite fit.

Would he improve current squad - no brainer, easily, and depth in several roles.

If he best available, would cost be reasonable - no idea!

Shea Charles played only half our game time last season. I suggest, if signed, JWP would be more involved on merit

Edited 17 minutes ago by West end Saints
Added quality of our forwards

[Toussaint]

12 minutes ago, benjii said:

Not against JWP at all but let's also cut to the chase....

we need a big black bloke as well.

What with his and Willo’s obsession with Blackmore’s state of arousal, I’m a bit concerned the direction this forum is heading, I’m sure there are more suitable forums for you to discuss your wants, needs and desires?

[EssEffCee]

10 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Just thinking forward to a cold Sunday in February, the game locked at 1-1 at Fratton and JWP curls a free kick in from 30 yards in the 93rd minute to score his first free kick since he left Southampton the last time to send Southampton seven points clear at the top of the table...

Either that or he scores an own goal in the 90th minute to give them the win and then jumps into the Fratton end to celebrate with his fellow fans.

[EssEffCee]

Bringing JWP in as a Charles replacement would be a terrible move.

It's nothing to do with comparing him to other players who returned and everything to do with the fact he's simply not very good and offers nothing that we're crying out for.

Yes he'll bring some experience and is tidy in possession but he's unbelievably weak and games consistently pass him by. We've got plenty of players who are tidy in possession but we need a midfielder who carries a presence and is dynamic and that simply isn't him.

I also don't buy these supposed leadership qualities either. I think people think he has leadership qualities because he was captain for a while but I've never actually seen him as a leader.

At risk of over simplifying it no good leader captains their team to two 9-0 defeats in less than 18 months.

[hypochondriac]

I think jwp will probably not be as good as some people think and definitely won't be as bad as other people think. There's some really extreme opinions on him. 

[coalman]

For the record I'm against bringing JWP back because we've been burned by the nostalgia train recently. However, the only consideration when signing someone should be are they going to make the team stronger. And the answer with JWP is likely to be yes.

Does he get in ahead of Downes and Jander? Probably not. 

Does he get in ahead of Bragg? Definitely yes. For the games so far this season he would've made us stronger.

The big questions would be over how much of our wage / transfer budget is he going to use up and who would it stop us signing as a result. If you're spending big bucks either on salary or transfer then you want someone who is going to slot straight into the team.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, coalman said:

For the record I'm against bringing JWP back because we've been burned by the nostalgia train recently. However, the only consideration when signing someone should be are they going to make the team stronger. And the answer with JWP is likely to be yes.

Does he get in ahead of Downes and Jander? Probably not. 

Does he get in ahead of Bragg? Definitely yes. For the games so far this season he would've made us stronger.

The big questions would be over how much of our wage / transfer budget is he going to use up and who would it stop us signing as a result. If you're spending big bucks either on salary or transfer then you want someone who is going to slot straight into the team.

Downes will get injured and suspended, and no idea if Jander will even be here. If he is here next week, he will take time to get match fit....by that time......see my point about Downes

[Chez]

17 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

No good leader captains their team to two 9-0 defeats in less than 18 months.

Hojberg was skipper against Leicester.

[Chez]

Palace appear to be in for Ordenez. Might impact the THB negotiations.

[Baird of the land]

9 minutes ago, coalman said:

For the record I'm against bringing JWP back because we've been burned by the nostalgia train recently. However, the only consideration when signing someone should be are they going to make the team stronger. And the answer with JWP is likely to be yes.

Does he get in ahead of Downes and Jander? Probably not. 

Does he get in ahead of Bragg? Definitely yes. For the games so far this season he would've made us stronger.

The big questions would be over how much of our wage / transfer budget is he going to use up and who would it stop us signing as a result. If you're spending big bucks either on salary or transfer then you want someone who is going to slot straight into the team.

I think it’s pretty clear if he comes it won’t be as bragg’s replacement, it will be at expense of a replacement of Charles. So that’s my consideration to be so firmly against, as a real like for like Charles replacement is essential.

[goodymatt]

1 minute ago, Chez said:

Palace appear to be in for Ordenez. Might impact the THB negotiations.

That one looks a done deal pending medical. Villa reportedly back at the table for THB and also looking at Todibo at WHU. Considering we have bid for Falchener at Viking, it looks extremely likely THB to Villa is on the cards.

[Chez]

11 minutes ago, coalman said:

For the record I'm against bringing JWP back because we've been burned by the nostalgia train recently. However, the only consideration when signing someone should be are they going to make the team stronger. And the answer with JWP is likely to be yes.

Does he get in ahead of Downes and Jander? Probably not. 

Does he get in ahead of Bragg? Definitely yes. For the games so far this season he would've made us stronger.

The big questions would be over how much of our wage / transfer budget is he going to use up and who would it stop us signing as a result. If you're spending big bucks either on salary or transfer then you want someone who is going to slot straight into the team.

Good post. If there an alternative that is better that we can get within our budget get him, if not then we still need a CM.

[EssEffCee]

6 minutes ago, Chez said:

Hojberg was skipper against Leicester.

Fair enough, I stand corrected.

[sfc4prem]

8 hours ago, austsaint said:

It's not hate towards Prowsey or the signing of him.   He's not really the type of midfielder we need, if Jander stays we need the third CM to be more of a Charles, box-to-box, running mid, that's not JWP.

If I recall correctly, he was almost exactly what I would call box to box under Koeman 10 years ago. His fitness levels are still incredible. 

[Chez]

1 minute ago, goodymatt said:

That one looks a done deal pending medical. Villa reportedly back at the table for THB and also looking at Todibo at WHU. Considering we have bid for Falchener at Viking, it looks extremely likely THB to Villa is on the cards.

We have a bid for Falchener? I missed that tweet goodymatt or are you slipping? 

[goodymatt]

Graeme Bailey suggesting we are hopeful a deal can be reached for JWP,

[pingpong]

9 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

He led us into relegation then fucked off as soon as he could 

 

Don’t think he’s the “leader” we need 

He played for us in the championship for a couple of games after relegation, and his last touch for us was a smart assist...

 

[goodymatt]

8 minutes ago, Chez said:

We have a bid for Falchener? I missed that tweet goodymatt or are you slipping? 

Saints Matty shared this one.

Matthew’s 🤝 transfer news

12 hours ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Seems a bit steep though

 

[Yozzman]

Falchener came off after 60 minutes last night. Injured or protecting the £8M transfer?