🌞Summer Silly Season Transfer thread 2026

[fulhams_finest]

Just 35 days until the first game...and we've signed only JKA.

When we inevitably tank - the manager needs grace. Because, as usual, it looks like the people above are leaving it until the last possible second.

[KentFulham]

Just 35 days until the first game...and we've signed only JKA.

When we inevitably tank - the manager needs grace. Because, as usual, it looks like the people above are leaving it until the last possible second.

Its shocking to see how poorly we are run

[Thailand Mick]

Diop off to Ipswich, rumoured fee 10m
https://x.com/Santi_J_FM/status/2079088293380047264?s=20

[Coast94]

Just 35 days until the first game...and we've signed only JKA.

When we inevitably tank - the manager needs grace. Because, as usual, it looks like the people above are leaving it until the last possible second.

Feels wild to me that we'd leave things late again having appointed a new, unproven manager and lost our two main goal threats. Borderline negligent in fact.

If ever there was a time to be proactive, it's now.

[KentFulham]

Just waiting now for the many posters to start with the usual "Lets not rush into a high fee, lets see how the team perform and consider bringing in fresh legs come January"

[twang]

Diop off to Ipswich, rumoured fee 10m
https://x.com/Santi_J_FM/status/2079088293380047264?s=20

Expected and probably the right call with his contract expiring next summer. Will likely see Castagne depart as well for the same reason.
Disappointing fee however. Expected to bring in more than around €10m/£8,5m, especially with his performances at the WC. Huge signing for Ipswich though, to get a good PL defender for that price.

[IloveFFC]

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2079103358627880982

[Bronaldinho]

I personally think 10m for Diop is cheap, but understand we got to balance the books. Think he's had a great career for us, and offers a lot. Odd mistake, but he's been really good over the years. Will miss him.

Been linked to Barkley online today - if it was a free or very cheap deal I wouldn't hate it as a Cairney similar role.

Also linked to Folarin Balogun but many other clubs have been too.

Benfica interested in Bissouma who is training with us.

[JimmyConway]

Think we might have had a tickle if fee is £10m and a year left on contract.
We were never getting anywhere near what we paid and after a few years he has only devalued by around half?
Board have seen far too many players leave of late on last year of contract and get sweet FA.
Must have the Nigerian lad agreed if they sanction Diop transfer.
Might see a fair bit of activity this week before pre season games next week.

[@jolslover]

Not happy with Diop decision. He is in form of his life after world cup and a strong end to last season and 10m seems an absolute bargain for Ipswich. Personally think he's good enough to be our starting RCB and is better than Andersen.

The fact he's gone to Ipswich suggested his wage demands weren't huge and he would have stayed with assurances about game time. I would have kept and given a new deal.

[AJW48361]

Awful decision, if true best Defender at the club Ipswich getting a Bargain.We go down they stay up?

[Deeping_white]

Not happy with Diop decision. He is in form of his life after world cup and a strong end to last season and 10m seems an absolute bargain for Ipswich. Personally think he's good enough to be our starting RCB and is better than Andersen.

The fact he's gone to Ipswich suggested his wage demands weren't huge and he would have stayed with assurances about game time. I would have kept and given a new deal.

How many times - he's 29 and on £70k a week, they're going to give him a contract until he's 33 and earning probably close to £100k which is why the fee is circa £10m. Clubs ours/Ipswich's size can't afford to have ageing players on that much money that they'll struggle to sell, we've already got Tete and Andersen because Silva insisted on having them. If we gave him a new contract he'd have been an asset that put us in an awful SCR position and he'd probably have left for free. The fact he's doing to Ipswich shows that good clubs didn't want him because as good as he is at defending, he's not great with the ball and most modern managers want someone who doesn't have an issue with playing out from the back

[@jolslover]

Not happy with Diop decision. He is in form of his life after world cup and a strong end to last season and 10m seems an absolute bargain for Ipswich. Personally think he's good enough to be our starting RCB and is better than Andersen.

The fact he's gone to Ipswich suggested his wage demands weren't huge and he would have stayed with assurances about game time. I would have kept and given a new deal.

How many times - he's 29 and on £70k a week, they're going to give him a contract until he's 33 and earning probably close to £100k which is why the fee is circa £10m. Clubs ours/Ipswich's size can't afford to have ageing players on that much money that they'll struggle to sell, we've already got Tete and Andersen because Silva insisted on having them. If we gave him a new contract he'd have been an asset that put us in an awful SCR position and he'd probably have left for free. The fact he's doing to Ipswich shows that good clubs didn't want him because as good as he is at defending, he's not great with the ball and most modern managers want someone who doesn't have an issue with playing out from the back

I highly highly doubt Ipswich will be paying him 100k a week. I would guess similar to what he is currently on. At 70k a week I 100% think he is worth a 2 year deal atleast (would go 3 years if necessary). I am sure (if Diop was more open to it as he got older) we could get more than 10m from Arab Leagues, Turkey etc in 2 years... Especially if he keeps his performances for Moroccan national team up.

[jayffc]

Not happy with Diop decision. He is in form of his life after world cup and a strong end to last season and 10m seems an absolute bargain for Ipswich. Personally think he's good enough to be our starting RCB and is better than Andersen.

The fact he's gone to Ipswich suggested his wage demands weren't huge and he would have stayed with assurances about game time. I would have kept and given a new deal.

How many times - he's 29 and on £70k a week, they're going to give him a contract until he's 33 and earning probably close to £100k which is why the fee is circa £10m. Clubs ours/Ipswich's size can't afford to have ageing players on that much money that they'll struggle to sell, we've already got Tete and Andersen because Silva insisted on having them. If we gave him a new contract he'd have been an asset that put us in an awful SCR position and he'd probably have left for free. The fact he's doing to Ipswich shows that good clubs didn't want him because as good as he is at defending, he's not great with the ball and most modern managers want someone who doesn't have an issue with playing out from the back

I highly highly doubt Ipswich will be paying him 100k a week. I would guess similar to what he is currently on. At 70k a week I 100% think he is worth a 2 year deal atleast (would go 3 years if necessary). I am sure (if Diop was more open to it as he got older) we could get more than 10m from Arab Leagues, Turkey etc in 2 years... Especially if he keeps his performances for Moroccan national team up.

Again you are assuming Issa even wants to stay, and/or the new manager wants to keep him over the new signing. Moving to Ipswich suggests his stock and takers weren't as high as we'd hoped , but it also shows he's moving to somewhere he will be nailed on to start

For SCR we are reportedly about to halve the wages Diop was on. That's a significant chunk and allows us more room to manoeuvre with wage bill in other areas whilst aquiring a young upcoming ,asset that has a real chance of making us money on what we paid should his development go well.

10m isn't a huge fee...I'd hoped for 15 off of world cup with my Fulham glasses on, but regardless that's the price being offered.

We aren't gonna get more for Diop as he enters his 30s.

With us sanctioning the sale were clearly feeling confident on incoming Nwaiwu. Regardless covered there with Anderson and LDF for now

[jayffc]

Awful decision, if true best Defender at the club Ipswich getting a Bargain.We go down they stay up?

What because we sold them the guy who was our second choice CB for most of the last year few years in order to bring in an exciting younger prospect?...Based on that move we are throwing about the idea of getting relegated over Ipswich?

This board isn't half reactive 😅

[JimmyConway]

He had a good World Cup & a decent end to last season for us. You would have thought we are losing Baresi ?
He is a decent defender no more no less.

What have we won with him? Why has he never held down starting place consistently.

Good luck to him but don't see him leaving strengthening Ipswich.

[@jolslover]

He had a good World Cup & a decent end to last season for us. You would have thought we are losing Baresi ?
He is a decent defender no more no less.

What have we won with him? Why has he never held down starting place consistently.

Good luck to him but don't see him leaving strengthening Ipswich.

How can you say it doesn't strengthen Ipswich? Ridiculous comment when there current CBs are Championship level.
He slots into CB there straight away and makes them a better team.

I would add I am not usually negative and am fed up with the streams of negativity I usually see on this form however I doubt we will sign a better CB than Diop especially not for 10m so for me it feels like we will be downgrading and I would have handled the situation differently

[JimmyConway]

He had a good World Cup & a decent end to last season for us. You would have thought we are losing Baresi ?
He is a decent defender no more no less.

What have we won with him? Why has he never held down starting place consistently.

Good luck to him but don't see him leaving strengthening Ipswich.

How can you say it doesn't strengthen Ipswich? Ridiculous comment when there current CBs are Championship level.
He slots into CB there straight away and makes them a better team.

I would add I am not usually negative and am fed up with the streams of negativity I usually see on this form however I doubt we will sign a better CB than Diop especially not for 10m so for me it feels like we will be downgrading and I would have handled the situation differently

We did not sign him for £10m we are if reports are true getting around half what we paid back on someone with a year left on his contract. We have seen umpteen players leave or run down there contracts recently and the penny seems to have dropped at board level?
Don't see selling him to a likely struggler next season an issue. Think it's good business by the club and would guess there is a replacement lined up.

[Mullers OG]

Presumably this is dependent on Nwaiwu signing. Surprised if £10m is the price. Seems a lot for a limited but solid back up CB with a year left on his contract. If we are to progress the club needs younger more mobile and more creative players. For a newly promoted club like Ipswich the priority is staying up. Most of the season may be difficult so a solid CB is essential. Diop should do well there. He will also play regularly. Being a back up must be very frustrating especially if he wants to keep his place in his international team.

A good deal all round- for FFC, Diop and Ipswich.

[jayffc]

He had a good World Cup & a decent end to last season for us. You would have thought we are losing Baresi ?
He is a decent defender no more no less.

What have we won with him? Why has he never held down starting place consistently.

Good luck to him but don't see him leaving strengthening Ipswich.

How can you say it doesn't strengthen Ipswich? Ridiculous comment when there current CBs are Championship level.
He slots into CB there straight away and makes them a better team.

I would add I am not usually negative and am fed up with the streams of negativity I usually see on this form however I doubt we will sign a better CB than Diop especially not for 10m so for me it feels like we will be downgrading and I would have handled the situation differently

Whilst I agree that it definitely strengthens Ipswich's chances of staying up...

Have you watched any of the footage of Nwaiwu? Their fans absolutely love him, he came in and completely turned around Trabzonspor's defence last year. May take a moment to adjust...but I think this idea that we're downgrading on Diop is fairly pessimistic...Issa has repeatedly failed to establish himself as first choice CB at Fulham...he had a decent showing at the WC after giving up on ever being called up for France...but it's not like he's making team of the tournament.
New guy may take some time to adjust but he does look every bit as physical and quicker than Issa. He's a bit of a beast physically.

The point of selling him for 10m is that it affects our books well this year, selling a guy who it seems likely to me wasn't that interested in signing a new contract (there have been grumbles about him being interested in a move away for a while) so possibly would have walked for 0 millions... so that we can recycle that cash towards replacing him with an exciting younger talent with potential significant resale value on half the wages.

Not sure how you can confidently say you would have handled it differently, without having extensively scouted Nwaiwu, or known if Issa looked willing to sign - or knowing how much he'd want if he would extend, and what the repercussions of not selling him would be on our accounts and ability to buy other players in this window... or if the new manager even wants him.


Fun additional fact - Nwaiwu has a significantlly better scoring record per 90
And despite being 7 years younger than Diop - already has more career assists than him.