Winter Silly Season Transfer Thread 2025/2026

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Re. Wilson and Bobb, I'm actually ok with Wilson going now - he's almost 29 and been with us for almost 5 years, most of that time I think he's been a decent if inconsistent and often frustrating player. It's only now that he's been in the form of his career.

As much as it would be great for him to stay, a big part of me feels it's more sensible to quit while we're ahead and avoid locking ourselves into a massive new contract, given his age and historical track record. While I have reservations about Bobb for the money being quoted I do think he has big upside potential, and resale value in any case.

Also, I think it puts more onus on Kevin to step up and deliver regularly, which I think he should be doing within the next year.

[hopper]

Re. Wilson and Bobb, I'm actually ok with Wilson going now - he's almost 29 and been with us for almost 5 years, most of that time I think he's been a decent if inconsistent and often frustrating player. It's only now that he's been in the form of his career.

As much as it would be great for him to stay, a big part of me feels it's more sensible to quit while we're ahead and avoid locking ourselves into a massive new contract, given his age and historical track record. While I have reservations about Bobb for the money being quoted I do think he has big upside potential, and resale value in any case.

Also, I think it puts more onus on Kevin to step up and deliver regularly, which I think he should be doing within the next year.

I agree with this. I'd love us to keep Wilson first and foremost but not if he's holding out for a ridiculous salary.

If we can have four strong wingers we'd be in a really exciting position.

[Coastwalker]

So Harry's approaching 29 is he.
You'll find the best strikers and others are still turning it on in their 30s.
What is it with age fascination. 
Jamie Vardy is near 39,and banging them in for Cremonese in Italy.
Harry isn't an OAP yet.

[Coastwalker]

How do some of you know what Harry and his agent are asking.
Got inside info have we?
Or are you his agent?
Some of you won't to stop reading crap off the net.
And Harry is 28,and in his prime as Marco has stated recently.

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

So Harry's approaching 29 is he.
You'll find the best strikers and others are still turning it on in their 30s.
What is it with age fascination. 
Jamie Vardy is near 39,and banging them in for Cremonese in Italy.
Harry isn't an OAP yet.

Vardy is an outlier to the rule, the vast majority of strikers are retired by the time they're 39. Vardy's professional career began later than most players. Also Serie A is far less physical than the Prem. Vardy has also only scored in 4 of Cremonese's 16 league games this season.

What's more Wilson isn't a striker, he's a winger and relies on his pace and dribbling ability. It's an accepted fact that most players undergo physical decline in their 30s, even the greatest players have this happen to them. The oldest player in the league by far is James Milner (who only comes off the bench these days). The oldest winger is Salah who is 33 (and has undergone a massive decline in the past year).

Thirdly, you don't get much resale value for players in their 30s. So if you're tying down Wilson to, say, a three year contract, you're not likely to get much at the end of it.

[hovewhite]

Wilson stay or goes but losing him and Adams so be it that's team sport,if Fulham want the money and bobs coming in then all you lot that want Wilson to stay then in the next breath want youngsters it's tosh.

[hopper]

How do some of you know what Harry and his agent are asking.
Got inside info have we?
Or are you his agent?
Some of you won't to stop reading crap off the net.
And Harry is 28,and in his prime as Marco has stated recently.

Look, it's conjecture. No one claims to know for a fact what's going on.

Wilson has said he'll decide on the best offer and for his family, so that's his way of saying the best offer available and therefore money could be a sticking point.

Nobody is demonising him, but it's not ridiculous to speculate that it could be the main thing in negotiations here.

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

How do some of you know what Harry and his agent are asking.
Got inside info have we?
Or are you his agent?
Some of you won't to stop reading crap off the net.
And Harry is 28,and in his prime as Marco has stated recently.

We don't obviously, but it's not unreasonable to believe that they will be fishing for a big pay rise given his recent contributions and expiring contract. Clubs will be able to sign him for free in the summer, which goes hand in hand with offering massive pay rises.

[Coastwalker]

So Harry's approaching 29 is he.
You'll find the best strikers and others are still turning it on in their 30s.
What is it with age fascination. 
Jamie Vardy is near 39,and banging them in for Cremonese in Italy.
Harry isn't an OAP yet.

Vardy is an outlier to the rule, the vast majority of strikers are retired by the time they're 39. Vardy's professional career began later than most players. Also Serie A is far less physical than the Prem. Vardy has also only scored in 4 of Cremonese's 16 league games this season.

What's more Wilson isn't a striker, he's a winger and relies on his pace and dribbling ability. It's an accepted fact that most players undergo physical decline in their 30s, even the greatest players have this happen to them. The oldest player in the league by far is James Milner (who only comes off the bench these days). The oldest winger is Salah who is 33 (and has undergone a massive decline in the past year).

Thirdly, you don't get much resale value for players in their 30s. So if you're tying down Wilson to, say, a three year contract, you're not likely to get much at the end of it.

He's 28,no two persons are built the same,how do you know he won't be able to run the same in his 30s.
I could run faster at 40 than I could when in my 20s.
If some of you on here had your way,the whole side would be teenagers.

[Pie n Mash]

So Harry's approaching 29 is he.
You'll find the best strikers and others are still turning it on in their 30s.
What is it with age fascination. 
Jamie Vardy is near 39,and banging them in for Cremonese in Italy.
Harry isn't an OAP yet.

I agree with getting rid of Harry, not on age basis but this is the first time he's shown consistency since he's been here, last season of his contract, almost a world beater, signs a new bumper deal and then, well, plenty in history, for example Salah, who just vanish again.

So no, age not an issue but I'd definitely sell if a suitable bid comes in.

[Coastwalker]

So Harry's approaching 29 is he.
You'll find the best strikers and others are still turning it on in their 30s.
What is it with age fascination. 
Jamie Vardy is near 39,and banging them in for Cremonese in Italy.
Harry isn't an OAP yet.

I agree with getting rid of Harry, not on age basis but this is the first time he's shown consistency since he's been here, last season of his contract, almost a world beater, signs a new bumper deal and then, well, plenty in history, for example Salah, who just vanish again.

So no, age not an issue but I'd definitely sell if a suitable bid comes in.

That's a fair comment,better put than others have tried to.

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

So Harry's approaching 29 is he.
You'll find the best strikers and others are still turning it on in their 30s.
What is it with age fascination. 
Jamie Vardy is near 39,and banging them in for Cremonese in Italy.
Harry isn't an OAP yet.

Vardy is an outlier to the rule, the vast majority of strikers are retired by the time they're 39. Vardy's professional career began later than most players. Also Serie A is far less physical than the Prem. Vardy has also only scored in 4 of Cremonese's 16 league games this season.

What's more Wilson isn't a striker, he's a winger and relies on his pace and dribbling ability. It's an accepted fact that most players undergo physical decline in their 30s, even the greatest players have this happen to them. The oldest player in the league by far is James Milner (who only comes off the bench these days). The oldest winger is Salah who is 33 (and has undergone a massive decline in the past year).

Thirdly, you don't get much resale value for players in their 30s. So if you're tying down Wilson to, say, a three year contract, you're not likely to get much at the end of it.

He's 28,no two persons are built the same,how do you know he won't be able to run the same in his 30s.
I could run faster at 40 than I could when in my 20s.
If some of you on here had your way,the whole side would be teenagers.

I don't know for sure obviously, but if you looked at football players in the PL across the last 20 or so years you would see that players GENERALLY decline in their early thirties. In the top 20 PL goalscorers this season, only two of them are in their thirties. Top 20 for assists, there are four.

I'm not saying that I want a squad full of teenagers, I'm saying that we need to be realistic about what Wilson is worth to us. If we knew that he could maintain this season's level of performance for another two years then great, I'd happily tie him down to an expensive contract. But he's scored 29 goals in 151 league appearances for us in total, almost a third of which were in the Championship. I don't think it would be a sensible decision, therefore, off half a season's blistering form, and think that Bobb would be a good investment.

[jayffc]

Exactly what's been said above

No need to be uppety about people discussing rumours that emerge to pass the time. And this one seems perfectly plausible given we still haven't come to an agreement with harry yet. Either way Pretty logical that if Wilson's camp were happy with the offer presented and wasn't entertaining other offers, he'd have signed by now. So it suggests we haven't reached an agreement on the numbers and agent is pushing for more. add that to Wilson's comments on the affair about wanting a deal that's right for fam etc its reasonable conclusion.

Also , every year multiple signings we make end up reported in the news first. Some sources more solid than others...so not sure what exactly is wrong with enjoying the discussion of such rumours. Most won't materialise, but some will. If it's not for you to want to join in, there is always the option of not saying anything at all.

I appreciate privately you have said to pay you no mind and that you just enjoy winding people up, but , maybe it's all a bit unnecessary?
Silly season thread - it does what it says on the tin

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Exactly what's been said above

No need to be uppety about people discussing rumours that emerge to pass the time. And this one seems perfectly plausible given we still haven't come to an agreement with harry yet. Either way Pretty logical that if Wilson's camp were happy with the offer presented and wasn't entertaining other offers, he'd have signed by now. So it suggests we haven't reached an agreement on the numbers and agent is pushing for more. add that to Wilson's comments on the affair about wanting a deal that's right for fam etc its reasonable conclusion.

Also , every year multiple signings we make end up reported in the news first. Some sources more solid than others...so not sure what exactly is wrong with enjoying the discussion of such rumours. Most won't materialise, but some will. If it's not for you to want to join in, there is always the option of not saying anything at all.

I appreciate privately you have said to pay you no mind and that you just enjoy winding people up, but , maybe it's all a bit unnecessary?

In the forum rules it says that WUM behaviour won't be tolerated: https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=51314.0.

So Coastwalker if that's what you're trying to do please knock it off, we're trying to have a civilised debate. Feel free to disagree with my points but if you're just trying to stir then may I suggest you find an alternative platform (Twitter perhaps).

[demeant0r]

Oh wow, never thought we could attract Oscar Bobb to join us! I'm guessing it does mean the end of Harry Wilson :(

35m is A LOT of money though, so I'd rather if Harry doesn't sign a new contract in the next week that we sell him for 10m or whatever to recoup some of the 35m.

Yeh for me it feels like a lined up move in case of Wilson refusing to sign yet, whilst his agent plays the market to up his wage

Having thought that, it could well be this has been leaked by the club as just a smoke screen to push Wilson to sign if he thinks we're serious about moving on from him? Who knows

We surely aren't spending another 35m for a player to sit behind Wilson and chuk though.

A year ago I'd rightly have said bobb is probably out of range and unlikely to want the move. Having not played so much this season though and seeing it's tough to break into man city's team ,much like ESRs timeline ,its probably the right time to seek a move for him.

It's a realisation that I think nwaneri will probably reach next window or the following also.

IMO, this makes sense as we're doing this before SCR comes into play. I would imagine signing him this window would mean we're offloading either Harry or Adama this window. Adama is on 70k a week and Harry is on 55k so it would make sense to offload Adama for the time being.

[JimmyConway]

With regards to Wilson I have always championed him as possibly the most technically correct player we have with the ball at his feet. That said Harry can be streaky in form like most wide players hence unlikely he will be a starter week in week out over a season. His form of late is probably the best we've had from him since joining.

[demeant0r]

So Harry's approaching 29 is he.
You'll find the best strikers and others are still turning it on in their 30s.
What is it with age fascination. 
Jamie Vardy is near 39,and banging them in for Cremonese in Italy.
Harry isn't an OAP yet.

Vardy is an outlier to the rule, the vast majority of strikers are retired by the time they're 39. Vardy's professional career began later than most players. Also Serie A is far less physical than the Prem. Vardy has also only scored in 4 of Cremonese's 16 league games this season.

What's more Wilson isn't a striker, he's a winger and relies on his pace and dribbling ability. It's an accepted fact that most players undergo physical decline in their 30s, even the greatest players have this happen to them. The oldest player in the league by far is James Milner (who only comes off the bench these days). The oldest winger is Salah who is 33 (and has undergone a massive decline in the past year).

Thirdly, you don't get much resale value for players in their 30s. So if you're tying down Wilson to, say, a three year contract, you're not likely to get much at the end of it.

He's 28,no two persons are built the same,how do you know he won't be able to run the same in his 30s.
I could run faster at 40 than I could when in my 20s.
If some of you on here had your way,the whole side would be teenagers.

The fascination with age is the resale value. If I remember correctly, with SCR we need to keep our footballing costs to 85%(?) of our revenue. Younger players generally expect less wages (unless you're Lamine Yamal) and will generally have a higher resale value. These new rules are completely unfair against smaller teams but it means we have to buy smarter and younger.

[btffc]

Oh wow, never thought we could attract Oscar Bobb to join us! I'm guessing it does mean the end of Harry Wilson :(

35m is A LOT of money though, so I'd rather if Harry doesn't sign a new contract in the next week that we sell him for 10m or whatever to recoup some of the 35m.

Yeh for me it feels like a lined up move in case of Wilson refusing to sign yet, whilst his agent plays the market to up his wage

Having thought that, it could well be this has been leaked by the club as just a smoke screen to push Wilson to sign if he thinks we're serious about moving on from him? Who knows

We surely aren't spending another 35m for a player to sit behind Wilson and chuk though.

A year ago I'd rightly have said bobb is probably out of range and unlikely to want the move. Having not played so much this season though and seeing it's tough to break into man city's team ,much like ESRs timeline ,its probably the right time to seek a move for him.

It's a realisation that I think nwaneri will probably reach next window or the following also.

IMO, this makes sense as we're doing this before SCR comes into play. I would imagine signing him this window would mean we're offloading either Harry or Adama this window. Adama is on 70k a week and Harry is on 55k so it would make sense to offload Adama for the time being.

Selling Adama gets you 2-3 million, selling Wilson in his current form is more like 10 million. More to consider than just the wages. Obviously Harry is the far superior player.

[jayffc]

Oh wow, never thought we could attract Oscar Bobb to join us! I'm guessing it does mean the end of Harry Wilson :(

35m is A LOT of money though, so I'd rather if Harry doesn't sign a new contract in the next week that we sell him for 10m or whatever to recoup some of the 35m.

Yeh for me it feels like a lined up move in case of Wilson refusing to sign yet, whilst his agent plays the market to up his wage

Having thought that, it could well be this has been leaked by the club as just a smoke screen to push Wilson to sign if he thinks we're serious about moving on from him? Who knows

We surely aren't spending another 35m for a player to sit behind Wilson and chuk though.

A year ago I'd rightly have said bobb is probably out of range and unlikely to want the move. Having not played so much this season though and seeing it's tough to break into man city's team ,much like ESRs timeline ,its probably the right time to seek a move for him.

It's a realisation that I think nwaneri will probably reach next window or the following also.

IMO, this makes sense as we're doing this before SCR comes into play. I would imagine signing him this window would mean we're offloading either Harry or Adama this window. Adama is on 70k a week and Harry is on 55k so it would make sense to offload Adama for the time being.

Yeh I agree Adama out makes the absolute most sense in terms of prospects this year. Then perhaps you hold on to Wilson until the summer with a wing line up of - Chuk, Wilson, Kevin and Bobb (or other) as main starters, with Sess/Iwobi also available. At which point you let Harry go on a free and look for a young option for the 4th wing spot on loan with an option in the summer. Dreamland would be Nwaneri in the summer. I think I'd blow up with excitment if we had Chuk, Kevin, Bobb AND Nwaneri. Unlikely but we can dream ha

[Mullers OG]

You may all be right and Wilson's contract decision depends on the salary terms but that's not necessarily correct. There may be family pressures to move; he may fancy playing in Italy or Spain whilst he still can; as a leading Welsh international he might want the chance to play in the champions league. Personally I hope he stays but it's his decision. He signed a contract which at the end of the season he's fulfilled.