Summer Silly Season Transfer Thread 2025

[Twig]

I understand the case for keeping Willian but we have to make savings on wages and space in the squad to free up budget and bring down the average age (and whatever Willian's on it's going to be a lot). I would let him go and I guess Nelson will return to Arsenal (shame because I thought he showed promise).  Personally I would play Sess on the left in front of Robinson, because I think it's potentially a great partnership which could thrive for several years and the left is Sess' natural side. However Marco doesn't seem to see it that way so sign a younger pacy left sided winger.

[Ludlow Richard]

We need youth, hunger and pace.

Perhaps every window we should take a punt on a young Championship/League One player with potential. I get the case for bringing in established PL players at 28 or over but we could do with shaking things up a bit with more youth. 

[Surlyc]

I understand the case for keeping Willian but we have to make savings on wages and space in the squad to free up budget and bring down the average age (and whatever Willian's on it's going to be a lot). I would let him go and I guess Nelson will return to Arsenal (shame because I thought he showed promise).

Given his injury record and his long contract (until 2027), it's not impossible that we could renew Nelson's loan with an option/obligation to buy. In that scenario, there's no way we should keep Willian (with Adama/Wilson/Iwobi/Sessegnon already under contract).

[Drewry66]

Agree re the youth, hunger and pace this year and maybe add skill into that as well in terms of ability to beat someone one on one. Always defended the prem and/or significant experience route we have gone down as the safest way to solidify and stabilise in this league. Still managed to make two huge sales as well.

We have done that now however and if Tete signs we already have all the experience you could wish for in the first team and even in reserve. Would love every signing to be under 25 this year with a couple of huge prospects 18 to 20 year olds. Whether we will do that with Marco in charge who knows but got to start building some sellable value now or players that can step up longer term. Did go for some last year but didn't come off. Crying shame re Cherki as looks like he has been on fire but that's the kind of profile in terms of age and prospect level I'd love to see.

Think the biggest signing has to be a box to box 8 who can defend but also assist and score. Be great if they were good in the air as well or alternatively brilliant at taking set pieces. Maybe more experience at around 24 or 25 for that position but don't see the need to go above early 20's for any others.

[DevonFFC]

It's going to be a very interesting summer. We certainly need to get a few players in if we want to push further up the table and challenge for European football.

The only thing is that this year with so many teams in Europe will we be attractive enough for players to come to when they could go to Palace or whoever takes the 8th spot if that is still an option.

I was thinking the exact same thing, you have clubs who are not in Europe who have a much bigger draw and wages than we can offer along with the likes of palace and forest now who will have European football.

[Deeping_white]

https://twitter.com/fulhamtransfer/status/1924535491484889114

[C Block]

https://twitter.com/fulhamtransfer/status/1924535491484889114

The frustrating thing about this for me is the fact that the kid has already been playing for Bournemouth U21's this season, I'm guess that's where we noticed him especially as he's played against QPR and Charlton recently, since when did Bournemouth get better than us at identifying young talent? Once upon a time we were very good at it now we appear to be playing catch up,
Incidentally Zane was born in the USA and qualifies to play for them and also Nigeria and England.

[jayffc]

https://twitter.com/fulhamtransfer/status/1924535491484889114

The frustrating thing about this for me is the fact that the kid has already been playing for Bournemouth U21's this season, I'm guess that's where we noticed him especially as he's played against QPR and Charlton recently, since when did Bournemouth get better than us at identifying young talent? Once upon a time we were very good at it now we appear to be playing catch up,
Incidentally Zane was born in the USA and qualifies to play for them and also Nigeria and England.

Am I missing something?

Did josh king l, one of England's highest rated youth prospects not just play a blinder for us in a cameo win against Brentford? Has he not captianed at England youth level? Was he not selected again now for England u19s?

Do we not have several academy kids playing for international youth setups?

Did we not just sell stansfield for 20m+?

Did we not just bring in a well rated kid from man city?

Did Fabio , Harvey Elliot and Sess not all make major moves to big clubs.

Did our u21s not just finish 2nd in the country and reach a European semi final?

Bournemouths academy werent even in the same league as us this year, so how are they better in this department?

Of all the things to level at Fulham I never really get the critiques of our academy performance. The step up to prem level is a tough one especially when first team are performing well throughout a season.

[Eton White]

I understand the case for keeping Willian but we have to make savings on wages and space in the squad to free up budget and bring down the average age (and whatever Willian's on it's going to be a lot). I would let him go and I guess Nelson will return to Arsenal (shame because I thought he showed promise).  Personally I would play Sess on the left in front of Robinson, because I think it's potentially a great partnership which could thrive for several years and the left is Sess' natural side. However Marco doesn't seem to see it that way so sign a younger pacy left sided winger.

I agree about Willian - I think we've reached the point where it's time to let him go. Particularly as he'll probably keep us waiting until deadline day before he decides whether he wants to stay with us as usual!

I was a big fan of Nelson when he first came to us - he's clearly a fantastic player - but his injury record in every season he has ever played has been absolutely appalling.
There's no way we should be looking at keeping him, even on loan. If you get 15 games from him in a season, you're doing well.

Edit: This was something I posted a while back - Nelson's injury record, taken from Transfermkt. It doesn't make happy viewing!

Edit2: Updated 24/25 season injury record

Season.  Days injured    Injuries. Games missed
24/25      178 days                 1          28
22/23      110 days                 2          17
21/22        70 days                 4           12
20/21        66 days                 2.          16
19/20        97 days                 2           20
18/19        26 days                 2           4

[C Block]

https://twitter.com/fulhamtransfer/status/1924535491484889114

The frustrating thing about this for me is the fact that the kid has already been playing for Bournemouth U21's this season, I'm guess that's where we noticed him especially as he's played against QPR and Charlton recently, since when did Bournemouth get better than us at identifying young talent? Once upon a time we were very good at it now we appear to be playing catch up,
Incidentally Zane was born in the USA and qualifies to play for them and also Nigeria and England.

Am I missing something?

Did josh king l, one of England's highest rated youth prospects not just play a blinder for us in a cameo win against Brentford? Has he not captianed at England youth level? Was he not selected again now for England u19s?

Do we not have several academy kids playing for international youth setups?

Did we not just sell stansfield for 20m+?

Did we not just bring in a well rated kid from man city?

Did Fabio , Harvey Elliot and Sess not all make major moves to big clubs.

Did our u21s not just finish 2nd in the country and reach a European semi final?

Bournemouths academy werent even in the same league as us this year, so how are they better in this department?

Of all the things to level at Fulham I never really get the critiques of our academy performance. The step up to prem level is a tough one especially when first team are performing well throughout a season.

Where was it said Bournemouth have got a better academy than us ?
What they are better at though is identifying young talent, Huijsen and Kerkez will be leaving shortly for £100 Million, outstanding business by them, this coming hot on the heels of selling Solanke for £65 million, compare that to our business over the last 12 months.

[demeant0r]

I understand the case for keeping Willian but we have to make savings on wages and space in the squad to free up budget and bring down the average age (and whatever Willian's on it's going to be a lot). I would let him go and I guess Nelson will return to Arsenal (shame because I thought he showed promise).  Personally I would play Sess on the left in front of Robinson, because I think it's potentially a great partnership which could thrive for several years and the left is Sess' natural side. However Marco doesn't seem to see it that way so sign a younger pacy left sided winger.

I agree about Willian - I think we've reached the point where it's time to let him go. Particularly as he'll probably keep us waiting until deadline day before he decides whether he wants to stay with us as usual!

I was a big fan of Nelson when he first came to us - he's clearly a fantastic player - but his injury record in every season he has ever played has been absolutely appalling.
There's no way we should be looking at keeping him, even on loan. If you get 15 games from him in a season, you're doing well.

Edit: This was something I posted a while back - Nelson's injury record, taken from Transfermkt. It doesn't make happy viewing!

Season.  Days injured    Injuries. Games missed
24/25      64 days                   1          11
22/23      110 days                 2          17
21/22        70 days                 4           12
20/21        66 days                 2.          16
19/20        97 days                 2           20
18/19        26 days                 2           4

Agree, never understood why we brought him back. We need youth and pace, the opposite of what he is right now.

[LC]

It's going to be a very interesting summer. We certainly need to get a few players in if we want to push further up the table and challenge for European football.

The only thing is that this year with so many teams in Europe will we be attractive enough for players to come to when they could go to Palace or whoever takes the 8th spot if that is still an option.

We are a much more attractive club than Palace even if they are in Europe - good chance they'll be bottom half next season. Another way of looking at it is that with so many teams in Europe there's a good chance that teams we usually compete with will drop off due to an increase in games. So if we can strengthen in the right areas there's a great chance we'll get European football and we will be well placed to stay there with an increase in squad depth.

[Jims Dentist]

IMO Bournemouth along with Palace are far better at picking up lower league talent than us.
BHA, Brentford, Forest and Villa have vastly outdone us on picking up bargains.

[Angus Telford]

https://twitter.com/fulhamtransfer/status/1924535491484889114

The frustrating thing about this for me is the fact that the kid has already been playing for Bournemouth U21's this season, I'm guess that's where we noticed him especially as he's played against QPR and Charlton recently, since when did Bournemouth get better than us at identifying young talent? Once upon a time we were very good at it now we appear to be playing catch up,
Incidentally Zane was born in the USA and qualifies to play for them and also Nigeria and England.

Am I missing something?

Did josh king l, one of England's highest rated youth prospects not just play a blinder for us in a cameo win against Brentford? Has he not captianed at England youth level? Was he not selected again now for England u19s?

Do we not have several academy kids playing for international youth setups?

Did we not just sell stansfield for 20m+?

Did we not just bring in a well rated kid from man city?

Did Fabio , Harvey Elliot and Sess not all make major moves to big clubs.

Did our u21s not just finish 2nd in the country and reach a European semi final?

Bournemouths academy werent even in the same league as us this year, so how are they better in this department?

Of all the things to level at Fulham I never really get the critiques of our academy performance. The step up to prem level is a tough one especially when first team are performing well throughout a season.

Where was it said Bournemouth have got a better academy than us ?
What they are better at though is identifying young talent, Huijsen and Kerkez will be leaving shortly for £100 Million, outstanding business by them, this coming hot on the heels of selling Solanke for £65 million, compare that to our business over the last 12 months.

Correct, we've been terrible in this area for years now, even the few decent youngsters we've sporadically signed can be attributed to other individuals (eg Muniz = Silva) rather than our scouting structure

[jayffc]

https://twitter.com/fulhamtransfer/status/1924535491484889114

The frustrating thing about this for me is the fact that the kid has already been playing for Bournemouth U21's this season, I'm guess that's where we noticed him especially as he's played against QPR and Charlton recently, since when did Bournemouth get better than us at identifying young talent? Once upon a time we were very good at it now we appear to be playing catch up,
Incidentally Zane was born in the USA and qualifies to play for them and also Nigeria and England.

Am I missing something?

Did josh king l, one of England's highest rated youth prospects not just play a blinder for us in a cameo win against Brentford? Has he not captianed at England youth level? Was he not selected again now for England u19s?

Do we not have several academy kids playing for international youth setups?

Did we not just sell stansfield for 20m+?

Did we not just bring in a well rated kid from man city?

Did Fabio , Harvey Elliot and Sess not all make major moves to big clubs.

Did our u21s not just finish 2nd in the country and reach a European semi final?

Bournemouths academy werent even in the same league as us this year, so how are they better in this department?

Of all the things to level at Fulham I never really get the critiques of our academy performance. The step up to prem level is a tough one especially when first team are performing well throughout a season.

Where was it said Bournemouth have got a better academy than us ?
What they are better at though is identifying young talent, Huijsen and Kerkez will be leaving shortly for £100 Million, outstanding business by them, this coming hot on the heels of selling Solanke for £65 million, compare that to our business over the last 12 months.

We've done just fine on the transfer fee front , as mentioned stansfield out for 20m despite being 3rd choice striker just one example. Sold Joao for a record club fee, Mitro likewise. so, good for them they hit a couple good young ones too, but it's not like our approach hasn't been working for ya either?

Point was though we're evidentally doing just fine identifying young talent...that's literally what an academy is about and ours is out performing theirs by some distance. Getting them into our starting line up when our first team is doing well, a different matter.

Our issue was more tying people to contracts than meant we got bigger fees, but picking a good 12month window for them is fine but it ignores that in recent times we spotted and brought through Fabio, Harvey Elliot, Sess, Roberts who all got signed by big clubs and now King. Muniz was brought in from Brazil and was being quoted around at 30m+ last summer (and yes a manager, whom the club identified and employ, is part of "us" when it comes to identifying talent, it's a cross department effort as it's always been) . Bassey and Robinson both relatively young when signed, Tosin was a big part in us being where we are now signed young from City. We identified kluivert too and would have signed him before Bournemouth if it weren't for post Brexit issues.

I don't think the issue is some inability to identify talent young I think it's just been a concentrated approach to bring in experience more of late as we solidify our place in the league. But for a few key injuries at bad times it might well have paid off big time too.

I suspect now we have a solid base we'll see a couple youthful risks taken here and there sprinkled in. But if Fulham were so bad at scouting youth they wouldn't have the number 2 academy in the country.

[Angus Telford]

Our academy, as brilliant as is, produces around one PL-quality player every 2-3 years. Nothing wrong with that, but our success in signing and nurturing under 16s will never compensate for effective scouting of the 17-22 (aporox) range which is where we fall down. As a consequence we have the lowest value squad in the league outside of the relegated clubs (per Transfermarkt).

[jayffc]

We just achieved a club record points tally, Who cares about transfermarkt valuation, what matters is where they finish. Josh king is valued 1m on there for god's sake. we wouldnt sell him for 10x that today.

If we hadn't managed to sell club record transfers twice in recent years and sold a 3rd stringer for 20mil pure profit it might be worth pouring over, but as it goes were doing fine and just opened a great new stand for further sustainability ongoing.

Our recruitment focus has been by design it's been stated the 1st goal was consistency/stability in the prem. We got it.

And given the various historical markers hit its largely worked.

It's not an inability, it's a choice.

We have secured 3 seasons back in the prem. We still might finish top 10. We've begun process of lowering age of squad now we have the stability we were aiming for, a summer approaches with Fulham an established mid table club capable of being in the fight for a European spot for vast majority of the season. Perhaps more risks might be taken then.

Onwards

[Bal_13]

Our academy, as brilliant as is, produces around one PL-quality player every 2-3 years. Nothing wrong with that, but our success in signing and nurturing under 16s will never compensate for effective scouting of the 17-22 (aporox) range which is where we fall down. As a consequence we have the lowest value squad in the league outside of the relegated clubs (per Transfermarkt).

Just seen a post that claims "97% of former cat 1 academy players now aged 21 to 26 never made an EPL
appearance.

70% weren't handed a pro contract at an EPL or EFL club. And only 1 in 10 went on to make more than 20 league appearances in the top four tiers of English football."

I can't really verify the quality of the source (it was mentioned in a Football Away Days post) but if true it does underline the quality of our academy's output with Sess, Roberts, Fabio, Elliott, Stansfield (who we scouted and poached from Exeter don't forget) all having made the grade somewhere in professional football over the last few years.

[FFC1987]

'[Fabrizio] Fulham have triggered an extra year... but Harry Wilson will either sign a new deal or leave the club this summer. Wilson, not expected to play on the year extension.'

[SerbianLad]

'[Fabrizio] Fulham have triggered an extra year... but Harry Wilson will either sign a new deal or leave the club this summer. Wilson, not expected to play on the year extension.'

I'd love for us to renew his contract. I'm probably in minority, but I'm happy with having Wilson and Adama as main options for right wing role next season. I'd get a left winger who can compete with Iwobi on the left, preferably someone who can play as a striker too. And then have Adama/Wilson/Sess/Iwobi as right wing options, Iwobi/New winger/Sess as left wing options and Muniz/Raul/New winger as striker options.

That being said,if we get a really big offer for Harry and we struggle to get him to sign a new deal, then I'd probably accept it and sign 2 new wingers in the summer.