Summer Silly Season Transfer Thread 2024

[jayffc]

Wouldn't it be nice to have our team settled and ready to go for the start of the season, that means all new players here for the pre season matches say in just two months time.
That means Marc must have his in/out short list on the table by now, love to have a peep at it.

Definitely need the CB's to be signed before the pre-season matches, give them time to bed in and form partnerships is crucial. Can't be having them come in as last minute window transfer signings and waiting weeks while they bed in.

Didn't seem to be an issue for Joachim Anderson when we signed him, he was good at CB from the jump having signed late in the window, our issue that year was scoring.

Calvin Bassey signed just  2 weeks before the new season started. He was great from the start.

I would always prefer better players late than lesser players just because they can be got in early if it's a choice.
So I don't agree that we "definately need" that. I'd like that, sure, everyone always would of course.... but we already have a defence featuring Diop, Bassey and Ream with Luc DF in reserve currently. That's more than fine to not have to rush for the sake of it. If our top targets are available at a good price early and wants the move, happy days, if we have to play the negotiating game like we did with others before, and if the player or agent wants to see what the options are, so be it. Thats the game

When Anderson joined we'd already lost our opening 4 games, conceding 3-4 goals in 3 of them. So it absolutely was an issue.

With that said, the alternative then was Ream and Hector, now it's Bassey and Diop. I am fine for us playing the opening games (or even the entire season frankly) with Bassey and Diop.

Timing has been a massive, hugely impactful failing in our other PL seasons but next season it shouldn't matter so much.

Whislt I agree with the last point that we're in a good position not to rush things due to what we have on paper here-
I simply can not agree that it's been a "Massive" factor in our failings I'm sorry. For me the last relegation falls firmly at the feet of Parker. It's been similar timings under Silva and we've been very successful. Wasn't dissimilar under Slav either and he was brilliant generally too, but general consensus at the club was we made too many wholesale changes to the squad and it was disjointed the year we came up under him.

The season we went down under Parker it was a small one,
Joachim was the right signing and worth waiting for.

By Christmas we were more than within our capabilities to stay up, a mere 2 points off safety. Our defence over the vast majority of that season was good enough. Parkers complete lack of of ability to organise an attack over the entire season and get Mitro scoring over the other 34 games was THE Massive hugely impactful factor in our relgation. The man played Cavaleiro up front instead of Mitro because he couldn't work out how to utilise him. And the signs were on the wall when he struggled to get out of the champ via the playoffs despite having a superior squad on paper to the rest of the league.

So it's an issue (id argue a small one), but the reason we went down that year wasn't down to the first 4 games and theres no guarantee having a lesser player than Joachim would have seen us fair much better. in fact - over the course of the season, I'd argue a lesser player could well have cost us even more points over the course of the season.

[Tabby]

If we get both Morata and Bassey that might mean we don't need a new backup LB.

[jayffc]

If we get both Morata and Bassey that might mean we don't need a new backup LB.

I did wonder that.

I think Bassey was actually a killer LB at Rangers at times. Not sure how Morato has played at LB for Benfica but he definitely seems like he'd be the defensive Tim Ream kind of LB more than the marauding overlapping type so we'd lose alot of attacking prowess with him out there I'd think. In that instance you'd think we'd put Morato in at CB and Bassey would move out to the left if needed as he's much more pacey and can attack well.

Still think most would prefer A designated pacey wing back as it's such a feature of our play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFKrIRxAXdI
Here's Bassey playing LWB for Rangers for those who weren't aware of his skill out wide

[Thailand Mick]

It could be possible that Marco might play 352 with the fullbacks pushed on in some games.

[Deeping_white]

In terms of decent pick-ups from the relegated teams, I think some of the below would be good options to explore in terms of improvement of depth or potential long term options:

Luton:
Tahith Chong
Teden Menghi
Elijah Adebayo
Alfie Doughty

Burnley:
Jordan Beyer
Wilson Odobert
Sander Berge

Sheffield United:
Gus Hamer
Vinicius Souza (I would buy him anyway as a Palhinha backup as he's the only one who got close to his tackling metrics)

[jayffc]

Wouldn't it be nice to have our team settled and ready to go for the start of the season, that means all new players here for the pre season matches say in just two months time.
That means Marc must have his in/out short list on the table by now, love to have a peep at it.

Definitely need the CB's to be signed before the pre-season matches, give them time to bed in and form partnerships is crucial. Can't be having them come in as last minute window transfer signings and waiting weeks while they bed in.

Didn't seem to be an issue for Joachim Anderson when we signed him, he was good at CB from the jump having signed late in the window, our issue that year was scoring.

Calvin Bassey signed just  2 weeks before the new season started. He was great from the start.

I would always prefer better players late than lesser players just because they can be got in early if it's a choice.
So I don't agree that we "definately need" that. I'd like that, sure, everyone always would of course.... but we already have a defence featuring Diop, Bassey and Ream with Luc DF in reserve currently. That's more than fine to not have to rush for the sake of it. If our top targets are available at a good price early and wants the move, happy days, if we have to play the negotiating game like we did with others before, and if the player or agent wants to see what the options are, so be it. Thats the game

When Anderson joined we'd already lost our opening 4 games, conceding 3-4 goals in 3 of them. So it absolutely was an issue.

With that said, the alternative then was Ream and Hector, now it's Bassey and Diop. I am fine for us playing the opening games (or even the entire season frankly) with Bassey and Diop.

Timing has been a massive, hugely impactful failing in our other PL seasons but next season it shouldn't matter so much.

Whislt I agree with the last point that we're in a good position not to rush things due to what we have on paper here-
I simply can not agree that it's been a "Massive" factor in our failings I'm sorry. For me the last relegation falls firmly at the feet of Parker. It's been similar timings under Silva and we've been very successful. Wasn't dissimilar under Slav either and he was brilliant generally too, but general consensus at the club was we made too many wholesale changes to the squad and it was disjointed the year we came up under him.

The season we went down under Parker it was a small one,
Joachim was the right signing and worth waiting for.

By Christmas we were more than within our capabilities to stay up, a mere 2 points off safety. Our defence over the vast majority of that season was good enough. Parkers complete lack of of ability to organise an attack over the entire season and get Mitro scoring over the other 34 games was THE Massive hugely impactful factor in our relgation. The man played Cavaleiro up front instead of Mitro because he couldn't work out how to utilise him. And the signs were on the wall when he struggled to get out of the champ via the playoffs despite having a superior squad on paper to the rest of the league.

So it's an issue (id argue a small one), but the reason we went down that year wasn't down to the first 4 games and theres no guarantee having a lesser player than Joachim would have seen us fair much better. in fact - over the course of the season, I'd argue a lesser player could well have cost us even more points over the course of the season.

I'd argue the reason we couldn't score that season was because Parker addressed our defensive frailty by essentially parking the bus in every match and playing with no attacking intent.

I also think it mad to suggest a newly-promoted club can essentially just write-off the first 4-5 games of the season.

The timing of our business has always been an issue under TK/AM. It's backed up by data which shows we tend to do more business later in the window than peer clubs, every manager has publicly complained about (including Silva) and 90% of fans recognise it as a significant failing. I'll leave it there.

Can you send me that data out of interest. Not disagreeing, I can imagine it's the case just would be interested to see the comparisons whilst also factoring in the circumstances of those clubs beyond just the date players were signed, how well they started in their first 4 games etc.

I'd argue entirely against the notion that Parkerball was down to our defensive frailties in 2022 - Given it's how Parker has managed every team he's been at so far- "Parkerball" had nada to do with defensive frailties, he was exactly the same in the championship when we had what was perceived as a top quality defence for that level at the time, and many felt  back then that his dour football was bailed out by having a number of moments of individual brilliance over quality team attacking football.

It was the same when he went to Bournemouth and the same when he went abroad. That's how he sets his teams up. Backwards and sideways and fans moaning about the boring football and lack of attacking intent. It wasn't a Fulham specific thing, that's Scott Parker.

To be clear - At no point have I said one can or should "write off" the first 4 games but that it's more important to have the right players at your club than it is to get a lesser player in early that might not be as good and potentially cost you more points in the long run over the majority of the season.

It's that bringing in lesser players earlier rather than the right players later, "Could", improve your output over 4 games, maybe,  But equally could not, and more likely will cost you more points over the course of the other 34 games in a season for having a potentially worse player in that position. Again. Our defence was NOT the issue that caused our relegation. The stats bear that out pretty unequivocally. We had plenty of possession, our defence was better than multiple teams higher than us in the league - our scoring and lack of cohesive attacking ideas clearly was THE major issue and was spoken on relentlessly at the time. It was an issue that has continued with Parker and NOT with us under new management, despite us doing exactly the same thing with Diop and Bassey. The math is pretty straightforward therefore I would say


People said the same things about "writing off" the first 4 games in 2022- only for us to start brilliantly. And then the same thing happened this year with a win on day 1. Again - with late CB signings. I personally think it's great and nice to have all ya transfers lined up early,sure, but it rarely materialises that way for a club of our size and standing currently - the approach has been proven to be working for multiple seasons now, so no complaints from me.

[wheelerdeeler]

An in depth look at the transfer window, and potential signings we can make this summer, as well as departures.
https://t.co/I7WLB5t8gC

Good look at transfer window always like these

Some thoughts:
Love the Eric Garcia shout and in general most of the suggestions, great to see your knowledge of foreign leagues although not sure how realistic all are
Silva has said Tete will be with us next season (he has not renewed just to get a fee) so there is no chance of us getting/needing an RB
Asprilla and Sara great shouts from the Champ

With Tete I see it as similar to my thoughts on Palhinha, you're not going to "advertise" that he's got one foot out the door because then we can't negotiate.

And yeah, as I said of the "realistic" ones in the list, Sara is by far my favourite.

[Deeping_white]

https://twitter.com/plettigoal/status/1792933802227958189?s=46&t=iVz7dmle6zKoKlpU0KS3Cg

[Deeping_white]

https://twitter.com/sebsousapinto/status/1792917631491613156?s=46&t=iVz7dmle6zKoKlpU0KS3Cg

[Barrett487]

https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/21/wesley-gassova-west-ham-fulham-transfer/

West Ham United and Fulham have both held talks with Corinthians over a potential transfer deal for highly-rated young Brazilian winger Wesley Gassova, CaughtOffside understands.

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Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed CaughtOffside that West Ham are making Wesley, 19, one of their priorities for the summer in a potential €15million deal, while Fulham have also spoken to his club Corinthians to get information on the player.

[Barrett487]

https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-can-get-player-little-e4m-need-move-quickly-take-advantage-clause/

Fulham are one of the sides interested in Cologne defender Timo Hübers but need to move at the beginning of next month if they're to get him via his release clause.

That's according to Transfermarkt.de, who say Fulham and other suitors need to move quickly if they want to take advantage of a release clause in his current deal.

They explain that Hübers is one of the players Cologne are preparing themselves to lose this summer following relegation.
While the hope is that they can keep hold of him and other players, the reality is that several could depart, and he is likely to be among those at the top of the list.

That's because he has a release clause in his current deal worth €3-4m, depending on what league the buying club finds themselves in. A Premier League side like Fulham would presumably be forced to spend €4m, then.
However, a decision needs to be made quickly on any potential transfer, though, as that clause must be activated by June 8th. After that, the transfer fee would have to be negotiated with Cologne, and presumably for far more at that.

Fulham are one of the sides to have shown an interest and Hübers and he is aware of the interest, intending to deal with the inquiries in the coming days and then make a decision about his future from there.

[Mullers OG]

The repeated name here is Andersen.

Go get him back. Hard as nails, totally reliable, good in the air and not too slow. With him and Bassey opposing strikers would know they'd been in a battle.

[jayffc]

I'd argue entirely against the notion that Parkerball was down to our defensive frailties in 2022

This whole Parkerball argument is somewhat of a straw man. 18/19 and 20/21 were abject failures under three different managers. We had fundamental problems besides Parker's tactics or Mitrovic not being on form.   

It's that bringing in lesser players earlier rather than the right players later...

This is a false dichotomy. It's possible to sign the right players early (eg Bassey and Palhinha).

People said the same things about "writing off" the first 4 games in 2022- only for us to start brilliantly.

The difference in 2022 was that we had a manager who could get results like a draw against Liverpool with the likes of Rodak and Kebano in the starting XI. Silva had those players performing well above themselves.

the approach has been proven to be working for multiple seasons now, so no complaints from me.

We're clearly doing some things well at the moment, but that doesn't retrospectively vindicate all historic facets of our strategy. We've had five PL season under the Khans - in three we were relegated, and this season let's be honest, we stagnated or even dropped back slightly. In Silva's own words "we must be really assertive in the next two months" which means avoiding historic mistakes. 

1. Bassey wasn't signed "early" by most here's definition. There were only 2 weeks to go before the season started which many considered late and people here were saying we "needed" our Cbs in Before preseason, which Bassey was not by a long stretch. many were saying this was too late at the time.

Also the point here is not that it's one or the other, that's not what Im saying.  Obviously *sometimes* it's possible to bring in the players you really want early. Great, but often however, it isn't the case, clearly, and we prefer to wait till later to push to try and secure players of a higher calibre that arent always available at an affordable or reasonable price point early. This is a factual reality that has been stated is the case first hand by many, many other clubs and managers and reiterated by those involved directly in our own transfer process -  Just like we did with Anderson and others.

2. So the difference was a good manager or it wasn't? You can't dismiss it in one argument regarding parkerball NOT being the main source of our issues and lean into it in another. I'm saying exactly that having a decent manager capable of utilising capable players (Kebano clear DID have enough in his locker to contribute, as did Rodak)

3.This season the signings were great, every one of them. Iwobi, Traore, Bassey, Ballo toure, Castagne, Jiminez, even Broja was fine in his cameos but more importantly pushed on Muniz.

Only Benda didn't contribute and he was our backup GK.

a more or less total success rate then on those signings last year. We lost our star striker to the Saudis and had Silva on the fence with renewing who also had interest from Saudi and Palhinha back and forth to Germany. I think I can understand it wasn't a straightforward window and yet all the signings we made were top notch again. And who knows, had we signed another CF we likely wouldn't have seen the birth of Muniz as a prem starter.

4. Stagnating is a bit strong. this is the most competitive league in the world, ant this is Fulham, securing a second season in the prem is a great achievement and one that helps solidify our position and out us in good stead to push on. The vast vast majority of time in our history we aren't a top 10 club. Just 5 times in our entire history I gather of which 1 of those came under this board,  so comparatively, we're right on course and with things hopefully a little more settled with Silvas contract now, we hopefully maybe we can look to build on this. It's clear to me the club realise the situation and opportunity. But this is Fulham at the end of the day.

We've come a long way from 6 years ago and even then , again the issues for me weren't in who we brought in or when. Everyone was overwhelmingly positive about our chances when we signed the likes of Seri and Anguissa. On paper our window had many pundits backing us and giving us a great shot at staying up, the much maligned Anguissa went on to win Serie A etc, but this is all been done to death,
The universal autopsy report on that was that the issue was that we'd tried to make too many changes to the squad that came up. That was what we learnt from it, and that is what they addressed coming up this time....and it worked. So credit where it's due for me.

It is not a given to be a premier league club for a club like Fulham. It is not expected to stay up when you get promoted, the odds are more in favour of you going down. And as I've said before many times here. Many teams have gone down, stayed down, and not returned for decades. So I think a little reflection sometimes on that is worthwhile. We stayed competitive when we went down and over the years we've rebuilt from the downward trajectory the club was in at the end of Fayeds tenure.  We've solidified our position in the prem with a steadily improving squad on the whole and are a few positions away now from really standing a good shot at another cup run or even an outside shot at a european push.

[jayffc]

The repeated name here is Andersen.

Go get him back. Hard as nails, totally reliable, good in the air and not too slow. With him and Bassey opposing strikers would know they'd been in a battle.

Now THAT I would love. But just can't see it happening. Crystal palace will be losing Eze and possibly Olise, after a successful year I can't see them wanting to take out any of their spine aswell.

If there was any chance I'd snap it up but I think that boat sailed

[jayffc]

https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/21/wesley-gassova-west-ham-fulham-transfer/

West Ham United and Fulham have both held talks with Corinthians over a potential transfer deal for highly-rated young Brazilian winger Wesley Gassova, CaughtOffside understands.

realmadrid logo Real Madrid
LOADING OFFICIAL CONTENT
Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed CaughtOffside that West Ham are making Wesley, 19, one of their priorities for the summer in a potential €15million deal, while Fulham have also spoken to his club Corinthians to get information on the player.

Young exciting Brazilian winger? Yes please

Much like when Wolves did the same I've enjoyed being a bit of a haven for the Portuguese speaking players!

[hovewhite]

Think Marco said he wants 4 or 5 players to add to the squad, defensively we have enough to have a competitive defence in Shirley and diop he may want 2 extra C.Bs as he may go 3.5.2 occasionally next season as Marco is a great at out thinking the likes of Ang at spurs and arteta.

[kiwian]

Think Marco said he wants 4 or 5 players to add to the squad, defensively we have enough to have a competitive defence in Shirley and diop he may want 2 extra C.Bs as he may go 3.5.2 occasionally next season as Marco is a great at out thinking the likes of Ang at spurs and arteta.

You mean Calvin

[Twig]

Think Marco said he wants 4 or 5 players to add to the squad, defensively we have enough to have a competitive defence in Shirley and diop he may want 2 extra C.Bs as he may go 3.5.2 occasionally next season as Marco is a great at out thinking the likes of Ang at spurs and arteta.

You mean Calvin

And Issa, Ange and Mikel in that case

That's being silly, we all knnow their first names. The point is that he is either Bassey or Calvin but his name is not Shirley.

[Barrett487]

https://twitter.com/sebsousapinto/status/1792917631491613156?s=46&t=iVz7dmle6zKoKlpU0KS3Cg

https://sportwitness.co.uk/goncalo-santos-way-join-fulham-37-year-old-told-club-decision-move/

Gonçalo Santos is now joining Marco Silva's staff at Fulham, according to reports from Portugal.

Last week, prior to the end of the Portuguese league, the manager couldn't give any certainty about his future, claiming he was discussing it with his club Casa Pia.

Now O Jogo reports that Santos has quit his job, meeting club chiefs and communicating that he took Fulham's invitation.

[Deeping_white]

Memphis Depay is leaving Atleti as a free agent, that'd be an interesting one on a freebie for improving our forward line