Winter Silly Season Transfer Thread 2025/2026

[Drewry66]

Slightly concerning, even with our form, that Marco has clearly said we need players this Jan and have a light squad and nothing seems to be close half way through the month. Why are the club so inept at doing timely business?

Look, I tend to be on the fence with this stuff. I thought the previous window was poor to ok, others felt good. But Marco isn't without blame here. His situation isn't going to help entice players with him potentially leaving at the end of this season so I don't think Marco can be complaining too much. Also, notoriously a terrible window to shop in unless you're paying in premiums for often 2nd to 3rd choice players as top players not available. I'm not surprised its a slow window and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw very little happen in it.

Too much uncertainty at the club which makes transfers difficult. Silva has got Wilson playing the best football of his life and long may it continue. But if you were Wilson would you sign a new contract without a guarantee that Silva was still there to push him on. Likewise if you were a transfer target would you sign for a manager in January who might not be there at the end of the season.

The ball is firmly in Silva's court and cannot moan about business until he sorts his own out first.

My guess is we are after this Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray. Lots of sources have said we're interested. He's the perfect profile. Sounds like Galatasaray are putting in all sorts of offers for midfielders and one of their senior team is supposedly in Italy negotiating with a few there. Looks like they might be trying to upgrade on him. Rumoured fees are somewhere around £20m so not unreasonable Jan price for once. Only prob is they have some key champions league games coming up. Just like Chuck and Kevin no way they let him leave before they have got replacements in and even then they may wait until these champions league games are done.

I'm pissed off we never sorted this 8 in summer but the delays are not always on us as the selling club holds the power for when they let them leave and they have to replace first so they are not left short. Can't see what we could have done with Chuck and Kevin for this reason over summer and if we are in for Sara bound to be the same situation.

[C Block]

Slightly concerning, even with our form, that Marco has clearly said we need players this Jan and have a light squad and nothing seems to be close half way through the month. Why are the club so inept at doing timely business?

Look, I tend to be on the fence with this stuff. I thought the previous window was poor to ok, others felt good. But Marco isn't without blame here. His situation isn't going to help entice players with him potentially leaving at the end of this season so I don't think Marco can be complaining too much. Also, notoriously a terrible window to shop in unless you're paying in premiums for often 2nd to 3rd choice players as top players not available. I'm not surprised its a slow window and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw very little happen in it.

Too much uncertainty at the club which makes transfers difficult. Silva has got Wilson playing the best football of his life and long may it continue. But if you were Wilson would you sign a new contract without a guarantee that Silva was still there to push him on. Likewise if you were a transfer target would you sign for a manager in January who might not be there at the end of the season.

The ball is firmly in Silva's court and cannot moan about business until he sorts his own out first.

My guess is we are after this Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray. Lots of sources have said we're interested. He's the perfect profile. Sounds like Galatasaray are putting in all sorts of offers for midfielders and one of their senior team is supposedly in Italy negotiating with a few there. Looks like they might be trying to upgrade on him. Rumoured fees are somewhere around £20m so not unreasonable Jan price for once. Only prob is they have some key champions league games coming up. Just like Chuck and Kevin no way they let him leave before they have got replacements in and even then they may wait until these champions league games are done.

I'm pissed off we never sorted this 8 in summer but the delays are not always on us as the selling club holds the power for when they let them leave and they have to replace first so they are not left short. Can't see what we could have done with Chuck and Kevin for this reason over summer and if we are in for Sara bound to be the same situation.

Simple really, you use the three months before the window opens to identify players that the parent club would be willing to sell and players that would be willing to join,
In the exact same way that West Ham did when they signed two strikers as soon as the window opened, that wasn't luck that was solid research and preparation something we fall short on.

[Drewry66]

Slightly concerning, even with our form, that Marco has clearly said we need players this Jan and have a light squad and nothing seems to be close half way through the month. Why are the club so inept at doing timely business?

Look, I tend to be on the fence with this stuff. I thought the previous window was poor to ok, others felt good. But Marco isn't without blame here. His situation isn't going to help entice players with him potentially leaving at the end of this season so I don't think Marco can be complaining too much. Also, notoriously a terrible window to shop in unless you're paying in premiums for often 2nd to 3rd choice players as top players not available. I'm not surprised its a slow window and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw very little happen in it.

Too much uncertainty at the club which makes transfers difficult. Silva has got Wilson playing the best football of his life and long may it continue. But if you were Wilson would you sign a new contract without a guarantee that Silva was still there to push him on. Likewise if you were a transfer target would you sign for a manager in January who might not be there at the end of the season.

The ball is firmly in Silva's court and cannot moan about business until he sorts his own out first.

My guess is we are after this Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray. Lots of sources have said we're interested. He's the perfect profile. Sounds like Galatasaray are putting in all sorts of offers for midfielders and one of their senior team is supposedly in Italy negotiating with a few there. Looks like they might be trying to upgrade on him. Rumoured fees are somewhere around £20m so not unreasonable Jan price for once. Only prob is they have some key champions league games coming up. Just like Chuck and Kevin no way they let him leave before they have got replacements in and even then they may wait until these champions league games are done.

I'm pissed off we never sorted this 8 in summer but the delays are not always on us as the selling club holds the power for when they let them leave and they have to replace first so they are not left short. Can't see what we could have done with Chuck and Kevin for this reason over summer and if we are in for Sara bound to be the same situation.

Simple really, you use the three months before the window opens to identify players that the parent club would be willing to sell and players that would be willing to join,
In the exact same way that West Ham did when they signed two strikers as soon as the window opened, that wasn't luck that was solid research and preparation something we fall short on.

That doesn't help if your top targets aren't readily available as the selling club still has to replace them so unless they have done exactly the same you are stuck. Most of the time the players that are readily available are for a reason. Usually because they are pretty useless or you have to massively overpay to get them. Chuck has been superb...would we have gone for our 6th choice winger who was available at the start of summer who would probably have been bang average and sacked Chuck off because Milan wouldn't release him earlier? I'm personally glad we didn't with all the goals, assists and threat he has added.

To be fair you lost me when using West Ham as a shining example of how to do transfer business anyway mate. 😂 Despite the absolute shambles that has gone before, this new strikers record is average at best and most of their fans were completely uninspired thinking they had over paid. May come good but could just be a desperation signing and a massive flop. 

[C Block]

Slightly concerning, even with our form, that Marco has clearly said we need players this Jan and have a light squad and nothing seems to be close half way through the month. Why are the club so inept at doing timely business?

Look, I tend to be on the fence with this stuff. I thought the previous window was poor to ok, others felt good. But Marco isn't without blame here. His situation isn't going to help entice players with him potentially leaving at the end of this season so I don't think Marco can be complaining too much. Also, notoriously a terrible window to shop in unless you're paying in premiums for often 2nd to 3rd choice players as top players not available. I'm not surprised its a slow window and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw very little happen in it.

Too much uncertainty at the club which makes transfers difficult. Silva has got Wilson playing the best football of his life and long may it continue. But if you were Wilson would you sign a new contract without a guarantee that Silva was still there to push him on. Likewise if you were a transfer target would you sign for a manager in January who might not be there at the end of the season.

The ball is firmly in Silva's court and cannot moan about business until he sorts his own out first.

My guess is we are after this Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray. Lots of sources have said we're interested. He's the perfect profile. Sounds like Galatasaray are putting in all sorts of offers for midfielders and one of their senior team is supposedly in Italy negotiating with a few there. Looks like they might be trying to upgrade on him. Rumoured fees are somewhere around £20m so not unreasonable Jan price for once. Only prob is they have some key champions league games coming up. Just like Chuck and Kevin no way they let him leave before they have got replacements in and even then they may wait until these champions league games are done.

I'm pissed off we never sorted this 8 in summer but the delays are not always on us as the selling club holds the power for when they let them leave and they have to replace first so they are not left short. Can't see what we could have done with Chuck and Kevin for this reason over summer and if we are in for Sara bound to be the same situation.

Simple really, you use the three months before the window opens to identify players that the parent club would be willing to sell and players that would be willing to join,
In the exact same way that West Ham did when they signed two strikers as soon as the window opened, that wasn't luck that was solid research and preparation something we fall short on.

That doesn't help if your top targets aren't readily available as the selling club still has to replace them so unless they have done exactly the same you are stuck. Most of the time the players that are readily available are for a reason. Usually because they are pretty useless or you have to massively overpay to get them. Chuck has been superb...would we have gone for our 6th choice winger who was available at the start of summer who would probably have been bang average and sacked Chuck off because Milan wouldn't release him earlier? I'm personally glad we didn't with all the goals, assists and threat he has added.

To be fair you lost me when using West Ham as a shining example of how to do transfer business anyway mate. 😂 Despite the absolute shambles that has gone before, this new strikers record is average at best and most of their fans were completely uninspired thinking they had over paid. May come good but could just be a desperation signing and a massive flop. 

And yet they all appear to be universally delighted with Taty Castellanos !

[Deeping_white]

Slightly concerning, even with our form, that Marco has clearly said we need players this Jan and have a light squad and nothing seems to be close half way through the month. Why are the club so inept at doing timely business?

Look, I tend to be on the fence with this stuff. I thought the previous window was poor to ok, others felt good. But Marco isn't without blame here. His situation isn't going to help entice players with him potentially leaving at the end of this season so I don't think Marco can be complaining too much. Also, notoriously a terrible window to shop in unless you're paying in premiums for often 2nd to 3rd choice players as top players not available. I'm not surprised its a slow window and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw very little happen in it.

Too much uncertainty at the club which makes transfers difficult. Silva has got Wilson playing the best football of his life and long may it continue. But if you were Wilson would you sign a new contract without a guarantee that Silva was still there to push him on. Likewise if you were a transfer target would you sign for a manager in January who might not be there at the end of the season.

The ball is firmly in Silva's court and cannot moan about business until he sorts his own out first.

My guess is we are after this Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray. Lots of sources have said we're interested. He's the perfect profile. Sounds like Galatasaray are putting in all sorts of offers for midfielders and one of their senior team is supposedly in Italy negotiating with a few there. Looks like they might be trying to upgrade on him. Rumoured fees are somewhere around £20m so not unreasonable Jan price for once. Only prob is they have some key champions league games coming up. Just like Chuck and Kevin no way they let him leave before they have got replacements in and even then they may wait until these champions league games are done.

I'm pissed off we never sorted this 8 in summer but the delays are not always on us as the selling club holds the power for when they let them leave and they have to replace first so they are not left short. Can't see what we could have done with Chuck and Kevin for this reason over summer and if we are in for Sara bound to be the same situation.

Simple really, you use the three months before the window opens to identify players that the parent club would be willing to sell and players that would be willing to join,
In the exact same way that West Ham did when they signed two strikers as soon as the window opened, that wasn't luck that was solid research and preparation something we fall short on.

That doesn't help if your top targets aren't readily available as the selling club still has to replace them so unless they have done exactly the same you are stuck. Most of the time the players that are readily available are for a reason. Usually because they are pretty useless or you have to massively overpay to get them. Chuck has been superb...would we have gone for our 6th choice winger who was available at the start of summer who would probably have been bang average and sacked Chuck off because Milan wouldn't release him earlier? I'm personally glad we didn't with all the goals, assists and threat he has added.

To be fair you lost me when using West Ham as a shining example of how to do transfer business anyway mate. 😂 Despite the absolute shambles that has gone before, this new strikers record is average at best and most of their fans were completely uninspired thinking they had over paid. May come good but could just be a desperation signing and a massive flop. 

And yet they all appear to be universally delighted with Taty Castellanos !

As do the Lazio fans who think they've had West Ham's pants down getting as much money as they did for him when he's supposedly bang average...

[Drewry66]

Taty had 2 goals in Italy this year at a goal every 347 minutes. Bit better last year with 10 but still only one every 240 minutes. Year before 4 at one every 419 minutes! Most strikers find it much easier to score in Italy vs the prem as well. He had a half decent game against at QPR but think based on those numbers I'd hold off as a West Ham fan if I was them thinking he is going to be their saviour. 😂

The numbers would suggest far more likely that he will be another £25m spent on a 27 year old striker to add to the 50 odd strikers they have added in the last few years who have been absolutely useless after costing a fortune. Here's praying anyway.

[bill taylors apprentice]

Slightly concerning, even with our form, that Marco has clearly said we need players this Jan and have a light squad and nothing seems to be close half way through the month. Why are the club so inept at doing timely business?

Look, I tend to be on the fence with this stuff. I thought the previous window was poor to ok, others felt good. But Marco isn't without blame here. His situation isn't going to help entice players with him potentially leaving at the end of this season so I don't think Marco can be complaining too much. Also, notoriously a terrible window to shop in unless you're paying in premiums for often 2nd to 3rd choice players as top players not available. I'm not surprised its a slow window and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw very little happen in it.

Too much uncertainty at the club which makes transfers difficult. Silva has got Wilson playing the best football of his life and long may it continue. But if you were Wilson would you sign a new contract without a guarantee that Silva was still there to push him on. Likewise if you were a transfer target would you sign for a manager in January who might not be there at the end of the season.

The ball is firmly in Silva's court and cannot moan about business until he sorts his own out first.

My guess is we are after this Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray. Lots of sources have said we're interested. He's the perfect profile. Sounds like Galatasaray are putting in all sorts of offers for midfielders and one of their senior team is supposedly in Italy negotiating with a few there. Looks like they might be trying to upgrade on him. Rumoured fees are somewhere around £20m so not unreasonable Jan price for once. Only prob is they have some key champions league games coming up. Just like Chuck and Kevin no way they let him leave before they have got replacements in and even then they may wait until these champions league games are done.

I'm pissed off we never sorted this 8 in summer but the delays are not always on us as the selling club holds the power for when they let them leave and they have to replace first so they are not left short. Can't see what we could have done with Chuck and Kevin for this reason over summer and if we are in for Sara bound to be the same situation.

Simple really, you use the three months before the window opens to identify players that the parent club would be willing to sell and players that would be willing to join,
In the exact same way that West Ham did when they signed two strikers as soon as the window opened, that wasn't luck that was solid research and preparation something we fall short on.

This sounds exactly what a recruitment team should/would be doing but it rarely applies to our purchases and I can only assume its down the negotiation strategy of Khan jnr & Mackintosh that drags everything out so long.

[FFC007]

All gone quiet on the Sterling front...

Good.

[bill taylors apprentice]

All gone quiet on the Sterling front...

Good.

Fingers crossed!

There really is no logic in signing him even on a free.

[jayffc]

All gone quiet on the Sterling front...

Good.

Much like the summer, seems to me he could be lined up as a backup option in case other targets don't land.
In the end once we signed Chuk the sterling rumours fell off a cliff despite being linked all summer to both. I suspect we're scouring the market seeing what we can get at what price, worst case we get him on loan with an option perhaps.

[Chi_FFC]

Simple really, you use the three months before the window opens to identify players that the parent club would be willing to sell and players that would be willing to join,
In the exact same way that West Ham did when they signed two strikers as soon as the window opened, that wasn't luck that was solid research and preparation something we fall short on.

I suppose this is one way to look at things. Another way (and frankly probably the right way) is that a desperate WHU wildly overpaid for a couple of mediocre strikers hoping that one might find a little form over the next few months all while the two clubs who sold those strikers are laughing all the way to the bank. That's not how I want to see Fulham do business.

[SerbianLad]

https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2011397041444790397

Surely worth a punt at that price? We should get back on that deal.

[Thailand Mick]

Slightly concerning, even with our form, that Marco has clearly said we need players this Jan and have a light squad and nothing seems to be close half way through the month. Why are the club so inept at doing timely business?

Look, I tend to be on the fence with this stuff. I thought the previous window was poor to ok, others felt good. But Marco isn't without blame here. His situation isn't going to help entice players with him potentially leaving at the end of this season so I don't think Marco can be complaining too much. Also, notoriously a terrible window to shop in unless you're paying in premiums for often 2nd to 3rd choice players as top players not available. I'm not surprised its a slow window and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw very little happen in it.

Too much uncertainty at the club which makes transfers difficult. Silva has got Wilson playing the best football of his life and long may it continue. But if you were Wilson would you sign a new contract without a guarantee that Silva was still there to push him on. Likewise if you were a transfer target would you sign for a manager in January who might not be there at the end of the season.

The ball is firmly in Silva's court and cannot moan about business until he sorts his own out first.

My guess is we are after this Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray. Lots of sources have said we're interested. He's the perfect profile. Sounds like Galatasaray are putting in all sorts of offers for midfielders and one of their senior team is supposedly in Italy negotiating with a few there. Looks like they might be trying to upgrade on him. Rumoured fees are somewhere around £20m so not unreasonable Jan price for once. Only prob is they have some key champions league games coming up. Just like Chuck and Kevin no way they let him leave before they have got replacements in and even then they may wait until these champions league games are done.

I'm pissed off we never sorted this 8 in summer but the delays are not always on us as the selling club holds the power for when they let them leave and they have to replace first so they are not left short. Can't see what we could have done with Chuck and Kevin for this reason over summer and if we are in for Sara bound to be the same situation.

Simple really, you use the three months before the window opens to identify players that the parent club would be willing to sell and players that would be willing to join,
In the exact same way that West Ham did when they signed two strikers as soon as the window opened, that wasn't luck that was solid research and preparation something we fall short on.

Slightly concerning, even with our form, that Marco has clearly said we need players this Jan and have a light squad and nothing seems to be close half way through the month. Why are the club so inept at doing timely business?

Look, I tend to be on the fence with this stuff. I thought the previous window was poor to ok, others felt good. But Marco isn't without blame here. His situation isn't going to help entice players with him potentially leaving at the end of this season so I don't think Marco can be complaining too much. Also, notoriously a terrible window to shop in unless you're paying in premiums for often 2nd to 3rd choice players as top players not available. I'm not surprised its a slow window and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw very little happen in it.

Too much uncertainty at the club which makes transfers difficult. Silva has got Wilson playing the best football of his life and long may it continue. But if you were Wilson would you sign a new contract without a guarantee that Silva was still there to push him on. Likewise if you were a transfer target would you sign for a manager in January who might not be there at the end of the season.

The ball is firmly in Silva's court and cannot moan about business until he sorts his own out first.

My guess is we are after this Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray. Lots of sources have said we're interested. He's the perfect profile. Sounds like Galatasaray are putting in all sorts of offers for midfielders and one of their senior team is supposedly in Italy negotiating with a few there. Looks like they might be trying to upgrade on him. Rumoured fees are somewhere around £20m so not unreasonable Jan price for once. Only prob is they have some key champions league games coming up. Just like Chuck and Kevin no way they let him leave before they have got replacements in and even then they may wait until these champions league games are done.

I'm pissed off we never sorted this 8 in summer but the delays are not always on us as the selling club holds the power for when they let them leave and they have to replace first so they are not left short. Can't see what we could have done with Chuck and Kevin for this reason over summer and if we are in for Sara bound to be the same situation.

Simple really, you use the three months before the window opens to identify players that the parent club would be willing to sell and players that would be willing to join,
In the exact same way that West Ham did when they signed two strikers as soon as the window opened, that wasn't luck that was solid research and preparation something we fall short on.

The striker they signed Pablo was bought by his previous club in July for 250K and West ham payed 25M

[JimmyConway]

Fella on the wireless just said Mendes is touting Ruben Neves around European teams and price is in the region of £15-£18m which for a player of his ability seems reasonable. Would not mind him at Fulham offers a bit of everything in midfield. Slot straight in no need to find his feet in this league.
Wonder if we might be interested as we have a fair amount of Portugese on the coaching staff and is not Mendes one of our boards favoured agents?

[jayffc]

Simple really, you use the three months before the window opens to identify players that the parent club would be willing to sell and players that would be willing to join,
In the exact same way that West Ham did when they signed two strikers as soon as the window opened, that wasn't luck that was solid research and preparation something we fall short on.

I suppose this is one way to look at things. Another way (and frankly probably the right way) is that a desperate WHU wildly overpaid for a couple of mediocre strikers hoping that one might find a little form over the next few months all while the two clubs who sold those strikers are laughing all the way to the bank. That's not how I want to see Fulham do business.

Pretty much.
It would have been nice to have people in early but it's not like we've been struggling for form.

There's really barely been any signings of note made this window so the cherry picking of West Ham - currently in the relegation zone with an absolute dire history of signing absolute stinkers of strikers the last decade btw. Seems a bit wayward.

Otherwise heres the signings so far.

Arsenal - 0
Aston Villa - 2 Alysson (Gremio), Brian Madjo (Metz) Both 18 and 19-year-old strikers. (we already have 2 of those)
Brentford- 1 : Kaye Furo (19 yo striker from Brugge, see above)
Bournemouth - 1 : Fraser Forster
Brighton - 1 : Pascal Groß (a player they only recently got rid of)
Burnley - 0
Chelsea - 0
Crystal Palace - 1 :Brennan Johnson
Everton - 0
Leeds - 0
Liverpool - 0
Man City - 1 : Semenyo
United - 0
Forest - 0
Sunderland - 0
Spurs - 0 (about to sign Connor Gallagher for 35m)
West Ham - The strikers discussed. 1 was average in Serie A, the other decent in Portugal, which doesn't always translate as per Gyokeres.
Wolves - 0

So a grand total of 6 clubs have made transfers out of 20 clubs. 3 of which are youth players and 1 a 37yo backup goalkeeper.
So the main headline purchases are Brennan Johnson for 35m and Connor G for 35m.

[jayffc]

Fella on the wireless just said Mendes is touting Ruben Neves around European teams and price is in the region of £15-£18m which for a player of his ability seems reasonable. Would not mind him at Fulham offers a bit of everything in midfield. Slot straight in no need to find his feet in this league.
Wonder if we might be interested as we have a fair amount of Portugese on the coaching staff and is not Mendes one of our boards favoured agents?

29 in March. But a quality player and a not terrible price at 15m. There are worse options out there. Would swap him for soon to be 31 yo Reed while we work to bring through Ridgeon and push for Europe. More DM than CM though. Wonder what his wage demands would be post Saudi.

[FFC1987]

Fella on the wireless just said Mendes is touting Ruben Neves around European teams and price is in the region of £15-£18m which for a player of his ability seems reasonable. Would not mind him at Fulham offers a bit of everything in midfield. Slot straight in no need to find his feet in this league.
Wonder if we might be interested as we have a fair amount of Portugese on the coaching staff and is not Mendes one of our boards favoured agents?

29 in March. But a quality player and a not terrible price at 15m. There are worse options out there. Would swap him for soon to be 31 yo Reed while we work to bring through Ridgeon and push for Europe. More DM than CM though. Wonder what his wage demands would be post Saudi.

Currently reported as £300-£350k a week.....its a non starter I'd say....

[jayffc]

Fella on the wireless just said Mendes is touting Ruben Neves around European teams and price is in the region of £15-£18m which for a player of his ability seems reasonable. Would not mind him at Fulham offers a bit of everything in midfield. Slot straight in no need to find his feet in this league.
Wonder if we might be interested as we have a fair amount of Portugese on the coaching staff and is not Mendes one of our boards favoured agents?

29 in March. But a quality player and a not terrible price at 15m. There are worse options out there. Would swap him for soon to be 31 yo Reed while we work to bring through Ridgeon and push for Europe. More DM than CM though. Wonder what his wage demands would be post Saudi.

Currently reported as £300-£350k a week.....its a non starter I'd say....

That's what he's on in Saudi but not one's paying close to that for him. Anyone moving back from Saudi has to accept they aren't getting the same money generally.

Man Utd allegedly inquired loosely, and the rumour is he was happy to reduce his wage demands to around 100k pw to move to Real Madrid. But their interest has cooled too so will be interesting to see where he ends up.

[SG]

All gone quiet on the Sterling front...

Good.

Much like the summer, seems to me he could be lined up as a backup option in case other targets don't land.
In the end once we signed Chuk the sterling rumours fell off a cliff despite being linked all summer to both. I suspect we're scouring the market seeing what we can get at what price, worst case we get him on loan with an option perhaps.

Apparently Liam wants to have a chat with him first to discuss his future!! Hasn't had the chat yet as had other priorities

[FFC1987]

Fella on the wireless just said Mendes is touting Ruben Neves around European teams and price is in the region of £15-£18m which for a player of his ability seems reasonable. Would not mind him at Fulham offers a bit of everything in midfield. Slot straight in no need to find his feet in this league.
Wonder if we might be interested as we have a fair amount of Portugese on the coaching staff and is not Mendes one of our boards favoured agents?

29 in March. But a quality player and a not terrible price at 15m. There are worse options out there. Would swap him for soon to be 31 yo Reed while we work to bring through Ridgeon and push for Europe. More DM than CM though. Wonder what his wage demands would be post Saudi.

Currently reported as £300-£350k a week.....its a non starter I'd say....

That's what he's on in Saudi but not one's paying close to that for him. Anyone moving back from Saudi has to accept they aren't getting the same money generally.

Man Utd allegedly inquired loosely, and the rumour is he was happy to reduce his wage demands to around 100k pw to move to Real Madrid. But their interest has cooled too so will be interesting to see where he ends up.

Bit of an extreme no? He'd be moving to Real Madrid. I doubt he's going to reduce his wages from 100-200% to join anyone else unless it's an utter powerhouse. I'd be quite amazed if he entertained anything under £150-200k a week from far bigger clubs let alone us so yeh, non starter.