Winter Silly Season Transfer Thread 2025/2026

[Deuce]

We'll get two loans on deadline day. Old reliable Fulham 

[FFC007]

https://x.com/FulhamTransfer/status/2008836774479761622?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

[KentFulham]

It will be the usual Window where we all talk about signings in January beeing a bad idea in term of value for money and we should wait til the summer, only to spend all summer signing no one of note and declaring we should see how things are come Jan, then repeat

[Sting of the North]

It will be the usual Window where we all talk about signings in January beeing a bad idea in term of value for money and we should wait til the summer, only to spend all summer signing no one of note and declaring we should see how things are come Jan, then repeat

Sounds like quite the made up scenario there, given that we have signed players of note every summer, and probably almost no one says that we should wait until January.

[Baszab]

In the minds of our simple money men in the Us of A - Fulham are doing OK - why overspend in January - why risk breaching the financial rules ?

If we're lingering down the bottom then we would panic spend like WHU

BTW - they are not that simple, they made the dosh in the first place !

[FFC1987]

In the minds of our simple money men in the Us of A - Fulham are doing OK - why overspend in January - why risk breaching the financial rules ?

If we're lingering down the bottom then we would panic spend like WHU

BTW - they are not that simple, they made the dosh in the first place !

Losing their no.1 asset due to this should be putting fire in their bellies really....and acknowledging that they failed in areas in the previous window which is considered a far 'easier' window. I'd say the recruitment team have some serious question marks over their heads.

[SimonDaviesEnjoyer]

If we don't sign anyone in Jan it really won't be the end of the world. I've said all season that our squad is easily good enough to place mid table. Especially so with the players coming back soon.

Best case, I can definitely see us challenging for Europe without signing anyone in Jan.

Summer should be interesting though, as others have noted there could be a lot of ins and outs... maybe some significant ones including the manager.

[ArcticOctopus]

In the minds of our simple money men in the Us of A - Fulham are doing OK - why overspend in January - why risk breaching the financial rules ?

If we're lingering down the bottom then we would panic spend like WHU

BTW - they are not that simple, they made the dosh in the first place !

Losing their no.1 asset due to this should be putting fire in their bellies really....and acknowledging that they failed in areas in the previous window which is considered a far 'easier' window. I'd say the recruitment team have some serious question marks over their heads.

One thing the club has been is consistent in their spending the last 6 or 7 years. Not saying they don't have more, but maybe the reality is Marco wants more than the club can give him. And we have to acknowledge, transfer prices have been terribly inflated the last couple of years.

[JimmyConway]

In the minds of our simple money men in the Us of A - Fulham are doing OK - why overspend in January - why risk breaching the financial rules ?

If we're lingering down the bottom then we would panic spend like WHU

BTW - they are not that simple, they made the dosh in the first place !

Losing their no.1 asset due to this should be putting fire in their bellies really....and acknowledging that they failed in areas in the previous window which is considered a far 'easier' window. I'd say the recruitment team have some serious question marks over their heads.

One thing the club has been is consistent in their spending the last 6 or 7 years. Not saying they don't have more, but maybe the reality is Marco wants more than the club can give him. And we have to acknowledge, transfer prices have been terribly inflated the last couple of years.

Think the last 6 or 7 years is further proof of our poor scouting network when you look at how more than a few rivals seem to find talent at relatively decent prices? Muniz possibly being the only one we have unearthed who might have gone for an considerable transfer last summer?  Now I do understand since Marco has been manager he tends to go more oven ready so you will have to pay a premium like we have say Andersen Berge Bassey Iwobi who are unlikely to be sold at a profit if they leave before contract up? Paying premium for say a Palhinha can work for you if they are good footballers at the right age of course. Of the home bred looks like King & Ridgeon will both have elite suitors so hopefully good transfer fees?

[FFC1987]

In the minds of our simple money men in the Us of A - Fulham are doing OK - why overspend in January - why risk breaching the financial rules ?

If we're lingering down the bottom then we would panic spend like WHU

BTW - they are not that simple, they made the dosh in the first place !

Losing their no.1 asset due to this should be putting fire in their bellies really....and acknowledging that they failed in areas in the previous window which is considered a far 'easier' window. I'd say the recruitment team have some serious question marks over their heads.

One thing the club has been is consistent in their spending the last 6 or 7 years. Not saying they don't have more, but maybe the reality is Marco wants more than the club can give him. And we have to acknowledge, transfer prices have been terribly inflated the last couple of years.

I'm not going to go further back. I'm judging it on the last window and whilst it was disastrous, they had a limited amount they needed to do, and ample time to do it, but failed in some key areas I'd say which let Marco down to some extent. I think there's a lot more urgency now as that's probably been highlighted to them. Especially via Marco in pressers after the window and continually since.

I don't think this is a matter of Marco asking for what isn't there as high value bids were made and not actualised. So either the club was doing a westham of old, or they had the money and just couldn't get the deals over the line. (something I do sympathise with).

[Hatch007]

https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-preparing-to-pounce-joao-palhinha-transfer-marco-silva/

[ArcticOctopus]

In the minds of our simple money men in the Us of A - Fulham are doing OK - why overspend in January - why risk breaching the financial rules ?

If we're lingering down the bottom then we would panic spend like WHU

BTW - they are not that simple, they made the dosh in the first place !

Losing their no.1 asset due to this should be putting fire in their bellies really....and acknowledging that they failed in areas in the previous window which is considered a far 'easier' window. I'd say the recruitment team have some serious question marks over their heads.

One thing the club has been is consistent in their spending the last 6 or 7 years. Not saying they don't have more, but maybe the reality is Marco wants more than the club can give him. And we have to acknowledge, transfer prices have been terribly inflated the last couple of years.

Think the last 6 or 7 years is further proof of our poor scouting network when you look at how more than a few rivals seem to find talent at relatively decent prices? Muniz possibly being the only one we have unearthed who might have gone for an considerable transfer last summer?  Now I do understand since Marco has been manager he tends to go more oven ready so you will have to pay a premium like we have say Andersen Berge Bassey Iwobi who are unlikely to be sold at a profit if they leave before contract up? Paying premium for say a Palhinha can work for you if they are good footballers at the right age of course. Of the home bred looks like King & Ridgeon will both have elite suitors so hopefully good transfer fees?

But part of that has to be Marco. He's gone on record saying he prefers older, experienced players or refurb projects. I think the club has supported him on that and now, to an extent, Marco is reaping what he's sowed.

[ArcticOctopus]

In the minds of our simple money men in the Us of A - Fulham are doing OK - why overspend in January - why risk breaching the financial rules ?

If we're lingering down the bottom then we would panic spend like WHU

BTW - they are not that simple, they made the dosh in the first place !

Losing their no.1 asset due to this should be putting fire in their bellies really....and acknowledging that they failed in areas in the previous window which is considered a far 'easier' window. I'd say the recruitment team have some serious question marks over their heads.

One thing the club has been is consistent in their spending the last 6 or 7 years. Not saying they don't have more, but maybe the reality is Marco wants more than the club can give him. And we have to acknowledge, transfer prices have been terribly inflated the last couple of years.

I'm not going to go further back. I'm judging it on the last window and whilst it was disastrous, they had a limited amount they needed to do, and ample time to do it, but failed in some key areas I'd say which let Marco down to some extent. I think there's a lot more urgency now as that's probably been highlighted to them. Especially via Marco in pressers after the window and continually since.

I don't think this is a matter of Marco asking for what isn't there as high value bids were made and not actualised. So either the club was doing a westham of old, or they had the money and just couldn't get the deals over the line. (something I do sympathise with).

It would be interesting to go back and see what those high value bids finally went for. I feel like I remember getting outbid several times on what was already a high bid from us. I also believe we have a lot of players on very high wages - part of the problem of primarily signing older experienced players. Probably makes it slightly difficult to put together enticing packages to players on the fence about coming here.

[FFC1987]

In the minds of our simple money men in the Us of A - Fulham are doing OK - why overspend in January - why risk breaching the financial rules ?

If we're lingering down the bottom then we would panic spend like WHU

BTW - they are not that simple, they made the dosh in the first place !

Losing their no.1 asset due to this should be putting fire in their bellies really....and acknowledging that they failed in areas in the previous window which is considered a far 'easier' window. I'd say the recruitment team have some serious question marks over their heads.

One thing the club has been is consistent in their spending the last 6 or 7 years. Not saying they don't have more, but maybe the reality is Marco wants more than the club can give him. And we have to acknowledge, transfer prices have been terribly inflated the last couple of years.

I'm not going to go further back. I'm judging it on the last window and whilst it was disastrous, they had a limited amount they needed to do, and ample time to do it, but failed in some key areas I'd say which let Marco down to some extent. I think there's a lot more urgency now as that's probably been highlighted to them. Especially via Marco in pressers after the window and continually since.

I don't think this is a matter of Marco asking for what isn't there as high value bids were made and not actualised. So either the club was doing a westham of old, or they had the money and just couldn't get the deals over the line. (something I do sympathise with).

It would be interesting to go back and see what those high value bids finally went for. I feel like I remember getting outbid several times on what was already a high bid from us. I also believe we have a lot of players on very high wages - part of the problem of primarily signing older experienced players. Probably makes it slightly difficult to put together enticing packages to players on the fence about coming here.

The ones I was referencing didn't move. Can;t exactly remember the names but one was someone who recently moved and was part of the Marinakis racket?

[jayffc]

In the minds of our simple money men in the Us of A - Fulham are doing OK - why overspend in January - why risk breaching the financial rules ?

If we're lingering down the bottom then we would panic spend like WHU

BTW - they are not that simple, they made the dosh in the first place !

Losing their no.1 asset due to this should be putting fire in their bellies really....and acknowledging that they failed in areas in the previous window which is considered a far 'easier' window. I'd say the recruitment team have some serious question marks over their heads.

One thing the club has been is consistent in their spending the last 6 or 7 years. Not saying they don't have more, but maybe the reality is Marco wants more than the club can give him. And we have to acknowledge, transfer prices have been terribly inflated the last couple of years.

Think the last 6 or 7 years is further proof of our poor scouting network when you look at how more than a few rivals seem to find talent at relatively decent prices? Muniz possibly being the only one we have unearthed who might have gone for an considerable transfer last summer?  Now I do understand since Marco has been manager he tends to go more oven ready so you will have to pay a premium like we have say Andersen Berge Bassey Iwobi who are unlikely to be sold at a profit if they leave before contract up? Paying premium for say a Palhinha can work for you if they are good footballers at the right age of course. Of the home bred looks like King & Ridgeon will both have elite suitors so hopefully good transfer fees?

But part of that has to be Marco. He's gone on record saying he prefers older, experienced players or refurb projects. I think the club has supported him on that and now, to an extent, Marco is reaping what he's sowed.

He's been on record saying this was a pre-agreed plan as a club. All on the same page with it. And so far it's working.

There was a whole interview on it this year.

Plan:

1. Get promoted with a cohesive squad of experienced players and not overdo changes ✅
2. Stay in the league and continue to sign experienced and/or established premier league players ready to contribute right away✅
3. Once established as a prem club begin to lower the age of the squad steadily whilst maintaining a blend of experience and youth ✅ (Bassey, Cuenca,ESR,Kevin,JKA,Chuk + integrate King)

Stage 3 is where Marco himself has said we've been transitioning into , and now and that's why we've seen us start to sprinkle younger players into an established premier league team whilst moving on from the likes of Willian, Vini, Pereira etc.

Sales of players like Stansfield and good windfalls for Mitro and Palhinha have helped be a part of such changes to the point I understand it the issue isnt FFP really any more as we have money to spend , but SCR. Given we look set to remove wages of people like Adama and Raul + potentially TC,Reed and maybe Diop in the summer. There's plenty scope there for lowering our wage bill and replacing with lower waged younger players from a abroad or our own academy, without disrupting our first team.

Seems smart business to me

[FFC1987]

I'm not sure I can argue again with some of the flaws from the summer window. If you think it was good, good for you, but I can't share in that unfortunately and I don't think Marco does either. I think its probably why we're looking, really, active this window compared to others as well.

[ArcticOctopus]

I don't think it was good. I just don't think we can expect much more. Especially with only AP as an outgoing last year. Maybe we should expect the club to be better bargain hunters but is there any club in the EPL who's achieving that currently? Overspending seems to be the name of the game.

It's the reality we're stuck with.

[ArcticOctopus]

On a related note, I just read that with the SCR rules a club can spend up to 115% of revenue for a number of years. So maybe there is room for some additional wages.

[jayffc]

I'm not sure I can argue again with some of the flaws from the summer window. If you think it was good, good for you, but I can't share in that unfortunately and I don't think Marco does either. I think its probably why we're looking, really, active this window compared to others as well.

Not sure who this is in response to.

If me I didn't say anything about the window itself so maybe it isn't for me.

That said I think the signings we did make were good and fit the plan of sprinkling youth into an established team. And I believe they will pay off long term.

From what I've seen of JKA I don't see why he shouldn't have had more minutes than he has, so that's a Silva choice. We took a risk on a rated youngster who we hoped to be third choice most of the time.

My Gripe with the summer was whilst I'm glad we got who we did,for whatever reason it did come very late which isn't ideal. But we left ourselves a bit short at CM which would be less of an issue if we hadn't had the AFCON stuff as have always said Iwobi has the ability to be a good 8. That was the main oversight. Otherwise I'm already happy with the squad and don't think it needs much else to compete when most are fit, as we're seeing.

[Deeping_white]

We've recalled Tanton & Dibley-Dias from Chesterfield and Luke Harris from Oxford so they're either going back into the youth teams or we've got other loans lined up for them. DD is injured I think so not sure if he's going to be out for a while yet.