Summer Transfer Window 2026

[benali-shorts]

4 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

I *really* want that deal to work.

If it doesn’t, that’s 2 consecutive summers we’ve really messed up on.

Feels like he’s been bought with a view to replacing Azaz and/or Leo next season? But remains curious to have spent a considerable chunk of this summer’s budget on a player whose two favoured positions are nailed down by our two best players and therefore mean he’ll be a squad player. I’d rather we’d spent that fee on a player who would have improved our starting XI or at least offered depth where we need it (up front). 

[Saint Scott]

Just now, Saint_lambden said:

Really need another forward...

Is that a hint?

[Saint Neil]

Benzema on a free.

[trousers]

Long confirmed as our No.2... FFS...

 

[trousers]

Just now, Saint Neil said:

Benzema on a free.

Source?

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, trousers said:

Long confirmed as our No.2... FFS...

 

No no, he was brought in to put the cones out...

[CSA96]

Just now, trousers said:

Long confirmed as our No.2... FFS...

 

 Prayer circle for Daniel Peretz's health 

[S-Clarke]

Ultimately I expected to lose players this window, but if I'm honest I felt we'd lose more than we have.

We've managed to keep hold of Peretz and Larin, got those done early, which is huge IMO. You cannot underestimate the impact they've had on this team since January.

Losing THB and Charles are blows, but those are two I expected to leave. If I'm honest I thought we may have lost Jander, Leo and Downes as well - but we've kept the group together in the main, which is a huge positive.

It feels a little light up front, not going to lie. We've lost Archer who was an option, albeit a limited one, and Stewart who was contributing. Replacing those two with Muamba feels like a bit of a gamble, as we're counting on Larin staying fit - but we've got to be careful with him.

Not too sure about Dobbin yet, I think he's struggling to find a place at the moment. He needs some time, similar to how Azaz needed time to find their feet last year.

Not going to rate the window as that always ends bad, so I'll sit on the fence. Could have been a hell of a lot worse, but still feel we left ourselves a tiny bit short in attack. 

[hypochondriac]

Just now, benali-shorts said:

Feels like he’s been bought with a view to replacing Azaz and/or Leo next season? But remains curious to have spent a considerable chunk of this summer’s budget on a player whose two favoured positions are nailed down by our two best players and therefore mean he’ll be a squad player. I’d rather we’d spent that fee on a player who would have improved our starting XI or at least offered depth where we need it (up front). 

Agreed. We'd have been better off spending on a winger in my opinion.

[Willo of Whiteley]

And we’re relying on two youth players to assist our promotion charge.

I’d say I’m more underwhelmed now, after the signings of Larin and Peretz early in the window I thought we’d kick on a bit.

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Long confirmed as our No.2... FFS...

 

Also the academy lads being given a chance. I'm not against that if it was a genuine choice and not just because we've missed out on the targets we wanted.

[SuperSAINT]

5 minutes ago, Ex Lion Tamer said:

10th most goal involvements in the league last season. He has to have more than he has shown so far

 

100%, but the mechanics of Preston vs us are completely different.  We need him to score goals.

Edited 2 hours ago by SuperSAINT

[tdmickey3]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

Long confirmed as our No.2... FFS...

 

Crazy

[Willo of Whiteley]

Our attacking options are unbelievably weak.

And most are very hot and miss in terms of form.

[SNSUN]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

I'm surprised we didn't look for another loan at least. 

Half an hour to go... 😁

In other news past SR target Devenney feom Palace to join Stoke.

Surprised nobody has gone for Amass or Chido Obi from Man Utd but I think United see Amass as their back up left back now. Obi needs a loan though, big goal scoring Danish striker, hugely highly rated, good pre-season. 

[KingInDaSouf]

Let's be honest, if Peretz gets injured or his form seriously dips whilst Ramsdale is still at the club Tonda would be suicidal to play Long instead. It just won't happen. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

4 minutes ago, trousers said:

Long confirmed as our No.2... FFS...

 

Odd that we would place a nobody keeper ahead of a keeper that's played for England. If he's still here when all transfer windows are closed I would rather he sat on the bench then just collecting wages for doing nothing but training.

[S-Clarke]

Just now, KingInDaSouf said:

Let's be honest, if Peretz gets injured or his form seriously dips whilst Ramsdale is still at the club Tonda would be suicidal to play Long instead. It just won't happen. 

It'll probably be like the situation we had in 23/24. Bazunu 1st choice, Lumley 2nd choice, 3rd McCarthy third choice never seen.

But when we needed a new first choice, McCarthy was the one they called on.

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Odd that we would place a nobody keeper ahead of a keeper that's played for England. If he's still here when all transfer windows are closed I would rather he sat on the bench then just collecting wages for doing nothing but training.

Reckon there is something financial in it? Appearances will trigger a big sum, or some sort of bonus, which we're trying to dodge? Only way I can make some logic of it. I don't see Ramsdale as a bad egg.

[beatlesaint]

4 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Crazy

Tbf he’s not gonna say Ramsdale will play if Peretz gets injured or a loss of form then he fucks off to Turkey in a couple of weeks leaving Long thinking what the hell is going on. 

[CB Fry]

 

2 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Odd that we would place a nobody keeper ahead of a keeper that's played for England. If he's still here when all transfer windows are closed I would rather he sat on the bench then just collecting wages for doing nothing but training.

We cannot afford for him to be in our squad. It's as simple as that. No one is making a judgement call that Long is better, obviously he isn't.

If he isn't going anywhere today then we'll try and get him to Turkey or USA or Sauudi or wherever has a window open.

[hypochondriac]

Alfie house has said he will be definitely going to a foreign league. Probably on loan with us paying a percentage of the wages. Really odd we haven't brought another keeper in as third choice at least.

[Saint Pete]

4 minutes ago, trousers said:

Long confirmed as our No.2... FFS...

 

Sounds like he fully expects Ramsdale to still go, can't believe we would just leave him kicking his heels til January. But feels like we are penny pinching by not finding a more adequate No 2 than Long, hope it doesn't come back to haunt us. 

Also pretty much confirms we are not seeking a 3rd senior striker.

Madness in my opinion, both decisions leave us on the brink of disaster with just 1 injury. Very frustrating given that otherwise I would say it has been a largely positive window, but these 2 gaps are glaring and really unnecessary. 

[SNSUN]

6 minutes ago, trousers said:

Long confirmed as our No.2... FFS...

 

That is our biggest mistake, more so that not having an experienced third striker. God i hope nobody comes in for Ramsdale until January. 

To echo others I don't mind using the youth, but we are really risking a lot in a season we need to get promoted.

Our full first XI is good, no issues with that although the loss of the influence of THB remains to be seen. The squad however largely remains weak. We have Long covering Peretz, Roerslev covering Bree, Abbott (because he's unproven) as 4th choice CB and Akachukwu and now Ehibhatiomhan as attacking cover. 

Roll on January.

[Harry_SFC]

4 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Reckon there is something financial in it? Appearances will trigger a big sum, or some sort of bonus, which we're trying to dodge? Only way I can make some logic of it. I don't see Ramsdale as a bad egg.

He isn't a bad egg at all. I think you're probably right regarding bonuses

[Lee On Solent Saint]

3 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Reckon there is something financial in it? Appearances will trigger a big sum, or some sort of bonus, which we're trying to dodge? Only way I can make some logic of it. I don't see Ramsdale as a bad egg.

Possibly. Perhaps there are certain payments written into his contract that we aren't willing risking being met. 

[Thripp87]

That Miller for Hull has gone Birmingham on loan I hear on commentary. He would have been a good option, scored a Premier league winner at the weekend and a mate for Larin. 

[SNSUN]

6 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Odd that we would place a nobody keeper ahead of a keeper that's played for England. If he's still here when all transfer windows are closed I would rather he sat on the bench then just collecting wages for doing nothing but training.

If Peretz gets injured and Ramsdale stays, it'd only take a couple of dodgy Long performances for Ramsdale to get back in. Yes Ramsdale is on, what, 60k a week, but if he's still on the books, he'll surely be our back up. Surely... 🙏🤔

[Thripp87]

I see Ballard scored again tonight, fucking madness getting rid of him for some of the dross we have brought in instead. We are really going to struggle when the likes of Scienza, Azaz and Larin have an off night. 

[LuckyNumber7]

10 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

And we’re relying on two youth players to assist our promotion charge.

I’d say I’m more underwhelmed now, after the signings of Larin and Peretz early in the window I thought we’d kick on a bit.

Got posts on here moaning that we never gave a youth striker a chance (Ballard), then moaning that we are now lookin like giving a chance to our current highly rated youth strikers. Can't have it both ways. If the likes of Ehibatiomhan don't see a pathway, they will leave. Then if they're a success, people will moan that we never gave them a chance.

I'd have liked one more attacking option ideally, but what we have is far from a disaster.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

5 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

 

We cannot afford for him to be in our squad. It's as simple as that. No one is making a judgement call that Long is better, obviously he isn't.

If he isn't going anywhere today then we'll try and get him to Turkey or USA or Sauudi or wherever has a window open.

He gets paid regardless if he is in the squad or not. If nobody comes in for him then why not put him on the bench? I fully expect him to go somewhere but to just leave him watching from the stands seems an odd decision.

[MarkSFC]

1 minute ago, Thripp87 said:

I see Ballard scored again tonight, fucking madness getting rid of him for some of the dross we have brought in instead. We are really going to struggle when the likes of Scienza, Azaz and Larin have an off night. 

Like tonight then....I think its going to prove to be very poor judgement to let Archer Robinson Downs Edozie (and effectively Stewart) and only bring in two young ones in Dobbin and Mubama. Praying for a surprise still😂

[Lee On Solent Saint]

4 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

If Peretz gets injured and Ramsdale stays, it'd only take a couple of dodgy Long performances for Ramsdale to get back in. Yes Ramsdale is on, what, 60k a week, but if he's still on the books, he'll surely be our back up. Surely... 🙏🤔

Wonder if Peretz can play whilst wrapped up in a combination of cotton wool and bubble wrap

[disconnect]

Problem is that Princewill has never looked particularly good, but has better physical attributes, whereas Ballard looked good but very fragile. 

I thought the other young striker Bailee Dipepa has always looked pretty decent though 

[saintwbu]

I would have cringed at seeing Archer/Downs/BBD start any games for this side, it’s absolutely no loss that they’re leaving. I did think we might add one more forward to mean it’s not all on Mubama if Larin isn’t fit. However, i’m not sure anyone can say we’re definitively weaker than last season, if Dobbin becomes any good and if Abbott is better than Wood & Stephens then we are arguably stronger imo. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

6 minutes ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

Got posts on here moaning that we never gave a youth striker a chance (Ballard), then moaning that we are now lookin like giving a chance to our current highly rated youth strikers. Can't have it both ways. If the likes of Ehibatiomhan don't see a pathway, they will leave. Then if they're a success, people will moan that we never gave them a chance.

I'd have liked one more attacking option ideally, but what we have is far from a disaster.

But in my defence I wasn’t the one screaming for Ballard and kicking my toys out the pram saying “it’s a mistake we let him go”.

He wasn’t good enough at the time. Simply as that.

It’s great that he’s kicked on in his career but he isn’t what we need.

Attacking wise we need strength down the middle and pace out wide. A couple of injuries and we are woefully light.

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

9 minutes ago, Thripp87 said:

I see Ballard scored again tonight, fucking madness getting rid of him for some of the dross we have brought in instead. We are really going to struggle when the likes of Scienza, Azaz and Larin have an off night. 

What, like tonight. 

Mubama clearly isn't the answer. Without Larin we've got f*** all. 

[Saint NL]

Only 4 minutes left to keep Jander and his agent locked in that cupboard

[skintsaint]

Come on Spors...

[vectraman]

1 hour ago, sambosa75 said:

For me it’s more to do with the fact that he signed for a considerable fee for a side that even at that point in the season looked nailed-on for relegation, ended up coasting to a relegation rooted to the foot of the table and then immediately fucked off to Newcastle to be Nick Pope’s understudy rather than showing a modicum of loyalty to the club that spent so heavily on him a few months earlier, forcing us into starting the season with Bazunu as our number 1 again, this forcing us back into the market to take a punt on an unknown keeper from Bayern Munich’s reserves who has thankfully turned out to be up to the job and re-signed for the club permanently even after the spygate debacle robbed him of a Wembley final appearance and probable promotion bonus.  Peretz deserves our loyalty if he experiences a dip in form.  Ramsdale does not.  IMO of course.

I think you are being unfair on Ramsdale here.

Saints wanted him off the wage bill, so were desperate to move him anywhere.

His performances were very decent for us in the top flight - particularly games at home to Brighton and Villa spring to mind as he prevented a mauling rather than a 4-0 and 3-0 defeat. 
Let’s not re-write history and make out Ramsdale was a bad egg - we all knew he would leave if we went down as we could never afford his wages in the championship.

He was a decent keeper for us, certainly doesn’t deserve pelters from fans. 

 

[Willo of Whiteley]

Hull on a mad one tonight, three signings announced in the last hour.

[Saint Scott]

 

[hypochondriac]

No last minute attacker on loan then? Shame. Hopefully Edozie doesn't have a strop unless he's still angling for Turkey or somewhere like that. Glad Jander and Scienza have stayed although in Jander's case it doesn't really matter if he isn't fit and able to play to a high level.

[CB Fry]

15 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

He gets paid regardless if he is in the squad or not. If nobody comes in for him then why not put him on the bench? I fully expect him to go somewhere but to just leave him watching from the stands seems an odd decision.

But he's better than Peretz so if he plays he should be first choice.

That's why he isn't in the squad.

[Football Special]

47 minutes ago, benali-shorts said:

£9m on a back up player in Dobbin seems a curiously large chunk of our transfer budget

It sure does, I find it depressing that Aston Villa basically traded us a Dobbin and an Archer for a THB 😒

[sockeye]

Edozie, pack your bags for Turkey son.

[CB Fry]

Did that Austrian centre back we wanted (I've already forgotten his name) sign for Palace in the end?

[Ex Lion Tamer]

2 minutes ago, sockeye said:

Edozie, pack your bags for Turkey son.

Still time to go to Austria or Belgium

[Cuddles]

That was a bit dull.

[sfc4prem]

Lots of sheets need changing tonight with the amount of bedwetters on the loose. 

Similarly, a lot of sore knees to be expected tomorrow morning in the SO postcode, with the amount of knee-jerking going on here.