Summer Silly Season Transfer Thread 2025

[Craven Mad]

Marco to Forest would be too similar to his Everton move IMO, insofar as they have the ability to be a big club but are forever held back by dodgy owners.

If Marco leaves, and I hope he doesn't, I really pray he makes a sensible choice and goes to a proper/stable club. Forest would be a mistake and he could definitely do better.

[Arthur]

Which is why I brought up that it is what is DoF is supposed to do. We don't really have one that does that job though, which is where the issue lies.

Yes, indeed. That wasn't my point but it matters not. Although I'd like to think most people reading my original post a few pages back will have grasped its meaning (it has 7 likes so I can be reassured at least 7 did), I apologise for confusing you by naming Ali Mac rather than Tony Khan.

[Coastwalker]

Does this mean Kevin has fallen through? There's been no news in days?

Nelson was supposed to have been done weeks ago,I personally believe the club is putting out false info,just to keep the fans interested and hoping we are going after players that we're not really interested in...Joke carry on.

I think Nelson is a genuine target and on our list but because of injury the club are trying to negotiate the way its been suggested in the press. He could also be the option second to Kevin signing.

Not much looking seemingly likely atm though.

The owners don't want Nelson, I've been told that first hand, he's a Marco target, not theirs. Yes, there are big concerns over his fitness, but also his 110K salary a week, that Arsenal want us to fully absorb with an obligation. I can see the concerns, but I can't also work out why they've not been working on an alternative.

Correct,they dont want to put a guy on big wages if he going to be injured,and also yes its Marco who wants him.

[Tabby]

Which is why I brought up that it is what is DoF is supposed to do. We don't really have one that does that job though, which is where the issue lies.

Yes, indeed. That wasn't my point but it matters not. Although I'd like to think most people reading my original post a few pages back will have grasped its meaning (it has 7 likes so I can be reassured at least 7 did), I apologise for confusing you by naming Ali Mac rather than Tony Khan.

Yeah, clear as crystal that this means that we should definitely get a better DoF that can install a vision in order to succeed by saying that neither system is perfect and that we would only know with hindsight.

Either the Club gives the manager final say as to whom we buy and sell (which seems to be the preferred choice of the majority of supporters) or it hands the responsibility to someone who is less qualified to determine the role of players within the manager's footballing plans but is better at looking upon them as financial commodities. Whichever it is, hindsight is always likely to show neither one is perfect.

Seems pointless to talk about this if you're just going to change the argument halfway through and pretend that I'm a nitwit for not understanding that you were making an entirely different argument. But whatever, you got 7 likes.

[Arthur]

If our targets have 'gone' (to other clubs it is reasonable to presume), who were they? Aren't the handful of players we've been most heavily linked with in the media - Kevin, Nelson, Sterling, Taremi - all still available? Is Marco being slightly mischievous, here, or was he hoping we would sign Eze?

[First State]

Does this mean Kevin has fallen through? There's been no news in days?

Kevin was never happening, he was a red herring to force Arsenals hand over Nelson, which never worked. As soon as the Club knew this, they backed off from negotiations with Shakthar, because we don't have 45M to spend.

I agree. The only way Kevin was happening was if we sold Muniz.

[RAY Rock]

Nelson 110 k a week no thanks absolutely ridiculous money . I spent 3k for 3 season tickets going to get seriously toxic very soon we are in serious trouble . Khans got to be selling or are in financial trouble seen this before at Leeds , Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday 😡🤦�♂️

[Bronaldinho]

Marco to Forest would be too similar to his Everton move IMO, insofar as they have the ability to be a big club but are forever held back by dodgy owners.

If Marco leaves, and I hope he doesn't, I really pray he makes a sensible choice and goes to a proper/stable club. Forest would be a mistake and he could definitely do better.

We often rely on agent networks, so we don't scout super far which is a bit of a shame, and I think it's a shame as agents will always wait around until last minute for their client to maximise their deal. But, it would be nice to spread the wings across Europe more.

[FFC007]

Sterling on deadline day... you heard it here first. 

[WindyCity]

I won't be too unhappy if Nelson doesn't happen. His injury record throughout his career is absolutely abysmal. Great player on his day, but I'd prefer we signed someone we could rely on to be available when we need them.

Someone we can 'really' rely on?  Like Kevin, meniscus issues and all.........

[WolverineFFC]

Probably true but not inspiring or motivational for any of the bargain basement, trolley dash, signings we may make before the window closes.

I am more of the view now of not making any and playing Godo, Ridgeon, Loupalo-Bi etc

This makes me really think he is off at the end of the season and the cash is being saved for a new boss with a big oil fund to spend next summer...

A risky move, as we have seen any team can get dragged into a relegation scrap.

Unfortunately my concern as well minus the new owner part. Every day that passes makes it seem like the most likely scenario for why things are playing out this way.

A terrible idea if true. Keeping a lame duck manager in place would be the sort of poor sports ownership decision I can see the Khan's making though.

[hovewhite]

If Marco goes to forest,then would snap up Nuno.

[Drewry66]

If our targets have 'gone' (to other clubs it is reasonable to presume), who were they? Aren't the handful of players we've been most heavily linked with in the media - Kevin, Nelson, Sterling, Taremi - all still available? Is Marco being slightly mischievous, here, or was he hoping we would sign Eze?

I bet you anything he wanted Douglas Luiz. It's complete speculation but could not be a more Marco signing and would have improved is dramatically immediately if he found his Villa form. Seeing him go to Forrest (a club of very similar size) after they have already spent whatever the F they have spent has probably irked him as much as it did me (and most of the fan base I'd imagine).

[Bronaldinho]

If our targets have 'gone' (to other clubs it is reasonable to presume), who were they? Aren't the handful of players we've been most heavily linked with in the media - Kevin, Nelson, Sterling, Taremi - all still available? Is Marco being slightly mischievous, here, or was he hoping we would sign Eze?

Certainly a good question.

The ones that moved this summer that we were linked with at some point before were Igor Jesus, Douglas Luiz, McAtee, KDH?

There may be a few more, but they were the ones top of my head - whether or not we actually had bids in for them I don't know

[Eton White]

I won't be too unhappy if Nelson doesn't happen. His injury record throughout his career is absolutely abysmal. Great player on his day, but I'd prefer we signed someone we could rely on to be available when we need them.

Someone we can 'really' rely on?  Like Kevin, meniscus issues and all.........

Sorry, where did I mention Kevin? 

[FFC1987]

I won't be too unhappy if Nelson doesn't happen. His injury record throughout his career is absolutely abysmal. Great player on his day, but I'd prefer we signed someone we could rely on to be available when we need them.

Someone we can 'really' rely on?  Like Kevin, meniscus issues and all.........

Sorry, where did I mention Kevin? 

Not to mention Kevin literally played yesterday ffs....

[Arthur]

"Us" is the club as a whole.
The club will (or at least should) be utilising its scouting/recruitment network to identify targets the whole time, it should be active around shopping players around at the right times, and have plans in place to move quickly around ingoings and outgoings when necessary (and that includes issues like if someone important suddenly had a major injury). Even if we weren't actively shopping Pereira around, as soon as someone is offering £20m+ for a wasting (not that good) asset, the club should have been collectively moving heaven and earth to immediately investigate deals.
I get completely that Silva appears to have no trust that deals would be done, and if he sanctions a sale he risks the club then failing to get him an adequate replacement, let alone an upgrade.
But that is a huge part of 'US' being bad at doing business. There should be healthy tension between the manager, recruitment teams and DOF to provide checks and balances against poor decisions and ensure you balance both the long and short term. But as it is, its clear the tension isn't operating healthily and hasn't been for years.

It seems to me you have moved on in your thinking from your original statement -  and it is, of course, supposition on your part that Tony Khan didn't investigate potential replacements for Pereira - but if these are your views, fair enough.

[WindyCity]

I won't be too unhappy if Nelson doesn't happen. His injury record throughout his career is absolutely abysmal. Great player on his day, but I'd prefer we signed someone we could rely on to be available when we need them.

Someone we can 'really' rely on?  Like Kevin, meniscus issues and all.........

Sorry, where did I mention Kevin? 

That's the problem with screen talk, the intent sometimes gets garbled up.  I agree with you, stay away from injury prone players.  I only mentioned Kevin since he seems to be the flavor of the day by many here in the forum (not necessarily you) as a FFC target. 

[Eton White]

I won't be too unhappy if Nelson doesn't happen. His injury record throughout his career is absolutely abysmal. Great player on his day, but I'd prefer we signed someone we could rely on to be available when we need them.

Someone we can 'really' rely on?  Like Kevin, meniscus issues and all.........

Sorry, where did I mention Kevin? 

Not to mention Kevin literally played yesterday ffs....

Also @WindyCity, have you seen Nelson's injury history? He's been out injured for the bulk of every season since the very start of his career.

To the best of my knowledge, Kevin has no injury record at all, bar this one off meniscus injury which he already seems to have recovered from.

Edit:
I've added Nelson's injury record below for info as I'd posted it on a thread sometime last season. It's taken from Transfermkt:

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

[Deeping_white]

Sterling on deadline day... you heard it here first. 

People have been saying that for weeks so not really