Summer Silly Season Transfer Thread 2025

[iansthailand]

To me i dont think our scouting network is as good as Brighton in particular but also Brentford and Bournemouth seem to find these gems out of nowhere.Where we settled for older premier league players.Also hoping Smith Rowe comes good very disappointing last season.Think there is a player there seems to lack confidence.

and fitness.

[JimmyConway]

To me i dont think our scouting network is as good as Brighton in particular but also Brentford and Bournemouth seem to find these gems out of nowhere.Where we settled for older premier league players.Also hoping Smith Rowe comes good very disappointing last season.Think there is a player there seems to lack confidence.

and fitness.

I think the answer is in your question Ian with regards to our network compared to the other three mentioned. We seem to have gone down the oven ready type the last couple of seasons with the likes of Pereira ESR Anderson Iwobi Castagne   etc.

[jayffc]

To me i dont think our scouting network is as good as Brighton in particular but also Brentford and Bournemouth seem to find these gems out of nowhere.Where we settled for older premier league players.Also hoping Smith Rowe comes good very disappointing last season.Think there is a player there seems to lack confidence.

and fitness.

I think the answer is in your question Ian with regards to our network compared to the other three mentioned. We seem to have gone down the oven ready type the last couple of seasons with the likes of Pereira ESR Anderson Iwobi Castagne   etc.

This appeared to be by design. Lots of interviews talking about the need for stability, which would make sense of why we opted for high percentage of experienced and generally priven talents...now more recently we're seeing club interviews claiming we have achieved that goal, and now is the time to push on. So it may not be that we're in some way incapable of scouting youth and our scouts are so much worse than other clubs - after all, the academy seem to do it pretty damned well after all. Rather it's the route we've consciously taken.

So will be interesting to see wether that approach does evolve now into sprinkling in a few more younger prospects or riskier purchases. I'd be surprised if we don't replace SOME of the experience potentially heading out the door though. Possible that most or all of Willian, TC, AP, Vini, Reed, Diop head out, so that might mean the club do replace one or 2 of those with 26+ year olds which could still lover the average age without them neccesarily being relative youngsters.

Interested to see the approach this summer

[Drewry66]

To me i dont think our scouting network is as good as Brighton in particular but also Brentford and Bournemouth seem to find these gems out of nowhere.Where we settled for older premier league players.Also hoping Smith Rowe comes good very disappointing last season.Think there is a player there seems to lack confidence.

and fitness.

I think the answer is in your question Ian with regards to our network compared to the other three mentioned. We seem to have gone down the oven ready type the last couple of seasons with the likes of Pereira ESR Anderson Iwobi Castagne   etc.

Which is incredibly sensible when your primary goal after promotion has to be to establish yourself as a premier league club. Got that stability now however so hope that this summer we change tactic a bit and most of the signings are younger big prospects.

[Angus Telford]

To me i dont think our scouting network is as good as Brighton in particular but also Brentford and Bournemouth seem to find these gems out of nowhere.Where we settled for older premier league players.Also hoping Smith Rowe comes good very disappointing last season.Think there is a player there seems to lack confidence.

and fitness.

I think the answer is in your question Ian with regards to our network compared to the other three mentioned. We seem to have gone down the oven ready type the last couple of seasons with the likes of Pereira ESR Anderson Iwobi Castagne   etc.

Seems to be a consensus that we should/will now recalibrate this to look outside the PL and at development players. Concern for me is do we actually have the capability to do that? We've no DOF - are we relying on Talbot, to suddenly conjure up a global scouting system comparable to those peer clubs have established and finessed over 3-10 years?

[hopper]

To be honest, whoever we are linked with some of our fans will complain

I remember last summer when we had a bid accepted for Cherki and some fans weren't happy - he is now on verge of joining Man City for 30m

People were complaining when we were linked with Moise Kean who has just scored 25 goals in Italy this season and it seems Fiorentina (Who bought him for 13m) will sell for 40m a year later

Not just sceptical but full on aghast almost in some instances. I think sometimes people forget that a footballer's career is not some repeatable event but changes between seasons depending on various factors. There are so many talented players who may be a bit out of form, or in the wrong place who can come to life in the right environment, it's usually these players that draw the most criticism as you can't point towards some obviously brilliant form.

I was sceptical about Cherki, because up until last season he had been very individualistic and didn't seem like a team player, needless to say he was brilliant this season and would have been a great signing (had he been keen to come).

Conversely there are also signings that seem exciting that don't go to plan. I for one was thrilled with Andersen and ESR, but underwhelmed with both this season. Hope and expect we'll see their worth more next season.

[MickTheBeard]

ESR is a gamble has ability but hasn't played much senior football at 24 leaving it late to frankly grow up this year will tell if he can adjust with a tough preseason and workload we'll see if he gets injured more and improves its funny no one else tried to buy him I hope silva didn't listen to ex arsenal players on our books for their advice also with neilson injured on and off for 5 years and lost him for half a season and now after a long rehab a free transfer would be a gamble also not knowing how much longer his arsenal contract has i believe he's on close to 3m a year.I won't dwell on Anderson soon as we offered that transfer amount their manager couldn't wait to sell him at 28 he and palace are the only lottery winners their no return on our money overpriced and can't see him quick enough to last 5 years.

[@jolslover]

Always interesting to take a look at the teams that are relegated and who would be "available"

Ipswich:
Philogene and Hutchinson for the wings
Leif Davis LB cover

Leicester:
Ndidi (28 now, but dependent on cost maybe)
Okoli - CB that has potential
Soumare - Attributes that I think Silva could mould
El Khannouss - Interesting player but would cost a lot and still a risk
Mavididi - Think he offers something Silva would like with direct play

Southampton:
Onuachu - Something different to lead the line, and had some good games in a poor side.
Mateus Fernandes - Star of the show, worth it.
Ronnie Edwards - out on loan last year, but probably will play first team football for Saints next year
Dibling - will be on the radar of everyone


But other than those above, it's still quite slim pickings out of the teams that have gone down - Probably the first time in a few years, where there's not much that would improve us bar a few names.

Certainly be an interesting season, and going to have to cast the net further afield.

My verdict on relegated teams

Ipswich
Liam Delap - Would have been a great signing but looks Chelsea/United bound
Leif Davis - Good player but wouldn't pay 25m for left back back up - maybe if we sold Robinson he would be a good option which I hope we don't
Jens Cajuste - Looks a good option in midfield and been one of Ipswich better players this year. Would be a better squad player CM than Reed
Julio Enciso - Would be a great option to grab from Brighton, would probably be available for a cut-price and not afraid to shoot - can play wing / 10
Omari Hutchinson - Again would be a good option to grab on the wings, only 21 and with resale value. Numbers not great though but was a poor Ipswich side
Jaden Philogene - Not had a great spell at Ipswich but looks like he could be a very good winger based off his Hull spell in the Champ. They paid 23m in Jan but if we could get him for around 10m then think he would be a great pick up with good resale value if he reaches his potential

Southampton
Walker-Peters - Would be a great prem-ready option if Tete leaves. Otherwise not needed as we already have 2 Prem level RBs, can play both RB/LB which is another bonus with him
Mateus Fernandes - Great player. Would be a top signing if we could bring him in.
Tyler Dibling - Would be a great signing and I suspect we would be a better move for him than likes of United / Arsenal. Don't think he is worth 50m that Southampton want though
Kamaldeen Sulemana - Strange one, absolutely tore Tete at St Marys (Which isn't easy to do) and looked very quick, but heard he is inconsistent. At 23 I would be open to a cut price deal as looks like there is a player in there

Leicester
Boubakary Soumare - Good ball carrier in CM, would probably be available for around 5/6m and would be a good backup who can play DM/6 .. an upgrade on Reed for sure
Wilfred Ndidi - Again would be a good squad player at CM and can play across the midfield 3, would probably be available for below 10m again and prem ready
Bilal El Khannouss - Would be a great signing for us and at 21 would definitely have resale value, could play as a 10 or on the wings but just unsure we would pay the 30m or so required when we have just spent 30m on a similar player in Smith-Rowe
Facundo Buonanotte - Scored 5 goals from midfield in 14 starts this season at Leicester and looked very skilful, had lots of interest last summer from bigger clubs and if we could get him for a cut-price (doesn't seem to be in Brightons plans) I could definitely see us reselling for more after a few good seasons (only 20!)

[Chi_FFC]

Interest in PSV's Ricardo Pepi.
https://twitter.com/mcgrathmike/status/1928499246505795962

[Drewry66]

Interest in PSV's Ricardo Pepi.
https://twitter.com/mcgrathmike/status/1928499246505795962

Looks very decent. Good record. Only 22. Yes please. Have a word Robbo. 

[iansthailand]

To me i dont think our scouting network is as good as Brighton in particular but also Brentford and Bournemouth seem to find these gems out of nowhere.Where we settled for older premier league players.Also hoping Smith Rowe comes good very disappointing last season.Think there is a player there seems to lack confidence.

and fitness.

I think the answer is in your question Ian with regards to our network compared to the other three mentioned. We seem to have gone down the oven ready type the last couple of seasons with the likes of Pereira ESR Anderson Iwobi Castagne   etc.

Which is incredibly sensible when your primary goal after promotion has to be to establish yourself as a premier league club. Got that stability now however so hope that this summer we change tactic a bit and most of the signings are younger big prospects.

My comment was regarding ESR's Confidence and Fitness not about our scouting.

[RAY Rock]

I think with ESR it is better to have low expectations next season and see if he can finish a 90 minute premier league game. The boy has undoubted ability but plays too safe and doesn't play on the half turn anymore and his desire to press the ball is non existent. The Josh King cameo against Man City was what I want ESR to be like 🤞. Our 3 record signings have been so underwhelming Marlet, Zambo and ESR and I would put Ruiz and Seri in there for a top 5

[Somerset Fulham]

Crap gathering about Juventus coming in for Marco. I guess that now Spurs and Saudi aren't happening, these shithouse publications need something to stir the pot with.

[JimmyConway]

Kelleher looks like signing for Brentford! Looks like Flekken is off to Germany?
Thought there might be a few teams bigger than Brentford keen on him. Chelsea Spurs to name just two?
Think he is a decent keeper a bit old school saves with legs and likes to come out for crosses. Not sure how comfortable playing out with feet but not sure Brentford play that way?
Feather in there cap if they get him.

[Tabby]

Kelleher looks like signing for Brentford! Looks like Flekken is off to Germany?
Thought there might be a few teams bigger than Brentford keen on him. Chelsea Spurs to name just two?
Think he is a decent keeper a bit old school saves with legs and likes to come out for crosses. Not sure how comfortable playing out with feet but not sure Brentford play that way?
Feather in there cap if they get him.

Think he is going to have a Dean Henderson kind of career. Decent player but backup keepers often get overhyped.

[Drewry66]

https://twitter.com/FulhamTransfer/status/1929119586902777901

Rafa Silva rumour. Just turned 32 but don't worry if he replaces Willian the average age is still coming down.

 

Age aside if any truth in it a very good record for goals and assists. Looks like he's played most at left wing but also a tonne as second striker, attacking midfield and right wing. Last season mostly second striker. Certainly the kind of option we are looking for to cover various positions and to be an option to play up top with Raul or Muniz if we need a goal. From the clip reels looks technically excellent, with some great skill, decent pace and excellent finishing. Seen a few people that have watched him saying he's very good.

But yes he's 32! Got Marco signing written all over it. At the reported £8.5m perhaps a decent pick up if we are spending the big bucks on youth prospects?

[Tabby]

Think we were linked with Rafa Silva after the promotion season.

[Deuce]

Im going to go ahead and absolutely derail this thread but hear me out:
Andrey Santos, Strasbourg, currently on loan from Chelsea, would be quite something.

And going by Chelseas way of handling youth players, I dont think this deal would be an impossible one.

Heres whats being said about him in Ligue 1:
"Santos' ability to dominate defensively and dictate the tempo of games has impressed many this season,

"Andrey Santos leads Ligue 1 in ground duels won and successful defensive interventions, with an astonishing 71.65% success rate in duels—a figure typically reserved for physically dominant central defenders. His performances against elite sides, such as winning 11 out of 14 duels against PSG at the Parc des Princes, underscore his consistency and quality"


"His ability to maintain stability, even under pressure, has become a hallmark of his style."

"Santos is far more than a destroyer. His tactical awareness and positional sense allow him to contribute offensively when required. With seven goals to his name this season, including three headers, Santos often operates as a box-to-box midfielder. "

Im sure Liam Rosenior would put in a good word for us

Sorry for the small derailing

[Angus Telford]

But yes he's 32! Got Marco signing written all over it.

Yep and no one else reportedly in for him either.
 
Not particularly enthused by it but could see this one happening.

[jayffc]

Kelleher looks like signing for Brentford! Looks like Flekken is off to Germany?
Thought there might be a few teams bigger than Brentford keen on him. Chelsea Spurs to name just two?
Think he is a decent keeper a bit old school saves with legs and likes to come out for crosses. Not sure how comfortable playing out with feet but not sure Brentford play that way?
Feather in there cap if they get him.

Yeah a good keeper and one I'd like to have been in for if leno left. As it is Not a top need for us though ,but useful signing for Brentford for sure