🌞Summer Silly Season Transfer thread 2026

[Arthur]

If we buy a centre back in the next week or so that is better than Andersen (and hopefully that's exactly what we do) then Andersen will sit on the bench getting older and slower whilst continuing to pick up his healthy salary for the rest of his lengthy contract (as is his right)
He won't move elsewhere as you suggested (why would he) as no other Club would match his salary,
We need to hope and pray the recruitment team make a better fist of it with the next arrival
Palace replaced Andersen immediately with the much younger and much cheaper Lacroix, and then sold him to Chelsea for a vast profit, that's how we need to start doing our business.
A 5 year contract to the mostly injured Tete makes me despair, and £60 million spent on Andersen and Smith-Rowe leaves me shaking my head.
Feel free to try and change my mind if you like.

Change your mind? As if. Finding any post on this forum in which someone admits to changing their mind is the idiomatic 'needle in a haystack'.

What I have been able to do is make several points you have not disputed. The only point you have challenged is whether Andersen would go elsewhere for first-team football. You are convinced he wouldn't: I think there is a chance he might.

Would I be right in thinking you were critical of the purchases of Andersen and Smith Rowe on this forum at the time they were made? After all, it's easy, with hindsight, to lament the money spent on players who don't make the anticipated impact. No club buys a player thinking he is going to fail but every club has some transfers that don't go as well as was hoped. (Even Crystal Palace, whom you hold up as an example for us to follow, have just swapped Brennan Johnson, signed for £35M as recently as January, for Dwight McNeil, whom Everton were prepared to sell to Palace for £20M at the start of the year.)

Perhaps you'd care to predict the fate of Gonzalo for me. A 5-year contract, a salary of however many millions per year, and a fee in excess of that paid for Andersen or Smith Rowe. If Gonzalo flops, it will be a lot of money spent poorly. If he does well, however, not only will his fee and salary be justified but the length of his contract will give the Club more bargaining power should he be coveted by 'bigger' clubs. On the assumption you can tell which transfers will leave you 'shaking your head' in future, I'd be interested in your assessment.

[Arthur]

Can you please explain to me how we could be in a position to "part ways"? Andersen has a contract which we can't walk away from so who do you see actually buying him to enable us to recoup part of his fee?

Happy to explain: We can be in a position to 'part ways' with Andersen if we are prepared to let him depart before the end of his contract and he is prepared to join another club to play first-team football. I was speculating that, should this situation arise in future, we may receive a relatively small fee for him. I've no particular club in mind - other than it could be a promoted club (akin to Ipswich who have taken Diop from us).

[Angus Telford]

The Club didn't buy Andersen with the intention of trying to turn a profit on him. The Club bought him to back Silva in his plan to establish us in the P.L. A 5-year contract - as opposed to a 3-year contract - even now, has two potential advantages:

Firstly, it spreads the amortisation out over a longer period (which is giving us more headroom to sign other players for the first three years of the contract).

That is terrible economics though. If you say we bought him for £25m, the difference the extended amortisation makes is it saves you about £3m per season in years 1-3. Not a great deal. In years 4-5, the extra amortisation plus wages (assuming he's on something like £100k pw) costs you £10m per year, for a player we could really move on. And no resale opportunity to claw anything back.

[jayffc]

If we buy a centre back in the next week or so that is better than Andersen (and hopefully that's exactly what we do) then Andersen will sit on the bench getting older and slower whilst continuing to pick up his healthy salary for the rest of his lengthy contract (as is his right)
He won't move elsewhere as you suggested (why would he) as no other Club would match his salary,
We need to hope and pray the recruitment team make a better fist of it with the next arrival
Palace replaced Andersen immediately with the much younger and much cheaper Lacroix, and then sold him to Chelsea for a vast profit, that's how we need to start doing our business.
A 5 year contract to the mostly injured Tete makes me despair, and £60 million spent on Andersen and Smith-Rowe leaves me shaking my head.
Feel free to try and change my mind if you like.

Change your mind? As if. Finding any post on this forum in which someone admits to changing their mind is the idiomatic 'needle in a haystack'.

What I have been able to do is make several points you have not countered. The only point you have disputed is whether Andersen would go elsewhere for first-team football. You are convinced he wouldn't: I think there is a chance he might.

Would I be right in thinking you were critical of the purchases of Andersen and Smith Rowe on this forum at the time they were made? After all, it's easy, with hindsight, to lament the money spent on players who don't make the anticipated impact. No club buys a player thinking he is going to fail but every club has some transfers that go as well as was hoped. (Even Crystal Palace, whom you hold up as an example for us to follow, have just swapped Brennan Johnson, signed for £35M as recently as January, for Dwight McNeil, whom Everton were prepared to sell to Palace for £20M at the start of the year.)

Perhaps you'd care to predict the fate of Gonzalo for me. A 5-year contract, a salary of around £5M per year, and a fee in excess of that paid for Andersen or Smith Rowe. If Gonzalo flops, it will be a lot of money spent poorly. If he does well, however, not only will his fee and salary be justified but the length of his contract will give the Club more bargaining power should he be coveted by 'bigger' clubs. On the assumption you can tell which transfers will leave you 'shaking your head' in future, I'd be interested in your assessment.

Sorry to be a jerk, and no offence intended here C Block, but to pipe up regarding hindsight, a quick search through old posts:

"I know it won't happen BUT I would love to see us break the bank to sign Emile Smith-Rowe from Arsenal, just the sort of player we need and not currently getting a chance at Arsenal" - C block 2023

And for what it's worth this isn't meant to be an attack; I agreed with you C, and was very keen on Emile at the time. I still don't think he's as bad as some make out but he hasn't delivered yet how I'd hoped either. But I do agree that calling such things "shameful" is a little overboard for me and given your own perspective at the time, therefore a little unfair to put it mildly.

I think most could see the thinking behind all of these moves at the time, albeit I did worry Anderson cost was high to some degree - but his first stint here was so impressive, I was just delighted to see him return. Tete, in hindsight, is a worse deal after another season with injuries, but was fit at the time and on his day one of the best RBs we've ever had and most weren't keen on him going to a rival at the time...so I do think the deal feels worse now as it's compounded with Silvas exist and therefore finding he no longer fits the system we're looking to play so much.

[@jolslover]

Point is that Diop should have been a starter ahead of Andersen last season. He proved his capability and didn't put a foot wrong but was always dropped unfairly by Silva. Then he had a solid world cup for Morocco. We've sold the wrong centre back. Now he has gone and the club are left with 2 LCBs. Luc DF needs a championship loan and we will have to suffer Andersen again after his suspension this time playing in Arbeloa's high line with his lack of pace.

I get the window is still open but its too late for the first couple of games at least now. This situation should have been sorted.

You're entitled to your opinion and I liked Diop in Marco's system; however, Silva disagreed with you and it didn't take long for Arbeloa to decide Diop was expendable and agree to allow him to be shipped out. It's not ideal that we are short a RCB to start the season but it is what it is and I hope in the long run we get someone Arbeloa finds suitable as a replacement.

Diop was about to enter the final year of his contract and we were offered money for him, whereas Andersen is on an horrendously lucrative 5 year contract and is unsellable, nobody would take that contract on,
The contracts given to Andersen and Tete are shameful.

Easy to say in hindsight but at the time everyone was celebrating keeping Tete and resigning Andersen.

[Arthur]

That is terrible economics though. If you say we bought him for £25m, the difference the extended amortisation makes is it saves you about £3m per season in years 1-3. Not a great deal. In years 4-5, the extra amortisation plus wages (assuming he's on something like £100k pw) costs you £10m per year, for a player we could really move on. And no resale opportunity to claw anything back.

I agree with the figures you've given. But the Club would have known all the different permutations with regard to the length of his contract so there must be a reason, or a combination of reasons, why it sanctioned this transfer. Irrespective of why, however, if he loses his place in the starting XI this season, it can't be seen as shrewd business. My gripe is with the criticism it was 'shameful' to sign a 28 year-old player on a 5-year contract.

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Point is that Diop should have been a starter ahead of Andersen last season. He proved his capability and didn't put a foot wrong but was always dropped unfairly by Silva. Then he had a solid world cup for Morocco. We've sold the wrong centre back. Now he has gone and the club are left with 2 LCBs. Luc DF needs a championship loan and we will have to suffer Andersen again after his suspension this time playing in Arbeloa's high line with his lack of pace.

I get the window is still open but its too late for the first couple of games at least now. This situation should have been sorted.

You're entitled to your opinion and I liked Diop in Marco's system; however, Silva disagreed with you and it didn't take long for Arbeloa to decide Diop was expendable and agree to allow him to be shipped out. It's not ideal that we are short a RCB to start the season but it is what it is and I hope in the long run we get someone Arbeloa finds suitable as a replacement.

Diop was about to enter the final year of his contract and we were offered money for him, whereas Andersen is on an horrendously lucrative 5 year contract and is unsellable, nobody would take that contract on,
The contracts given to Andersen and Tete are shameful.

Easy to say in hindsight but at the time everyone was celebrating keeping Tete and resigning Andersen.

I don't want to be the negative/contrarian/smug one but I wasn't thrilled by us getting Andersen back. I've never been a fan of going back to old players (Sessegnon the exception) and I didn't actually think he was great in his loan spell with us - especially towards the end of his stint. Similarly Tete, I'd had preferred him not to go to Everton but I also wasn't that keen on handing him a massive pay rise.

Maybe I said different at the time, and if I did then Jay feel free to call me out!

[jayffc]

@Neutral Zone Ultra if I were you I'd have removed any such comment before making such a statement haha

Not here to fact check everyones history 😅 I would think if we went back through most peoples there would be stuff they got right and stuff they got wrong. Including targets they wish we'd gone for that seemed no brainers that completely flopped elsewhere (I remember wishing we'd got Gift Orban myself). Anyone making predictions and calls over any extended period of time WILL get some wrong along the way. As long as the reasoning seems sound, I wouldn't rush to be too scathing in my judgment on calls that seemed reasonable enough to the majority at the time - and that haven't ended in disaster, but haven't yeilded as much as we'd have liked.

That said regarding anderson, for all he's understandly and deservedly been given stick - we have remained competitive with him in defence and he has contributed to finishing within reach of Europe and keeping us safely in the prem during his tenure here. He hasn't been perfect and last season I was raging with him for that stupid red card, but he's not been a total useless flop leading us to relegation... He's just not been perhaps what you'd hope for from such an expenditure.

[Arthur]

...no offence intended here C Block, but to pipe up regarding hindsight, a quick search through old posts:
"I know it won't happen BUT I would love to see us break the bank to sign Emile Smith-Rowe from Arsenal, just the sort of player we need and not currently getting a chance at Arsenal" - C block 2023

Now it's me who's shaking my head. How ironic.

[Twig]

Can you please explain to me how we could be in a position to "part ways"? Andersen has a contract which we can't walk away from so who do you see actually buying him to enable us to recoup part of his fee?

Happy to explain: We can be in a position to 'part ways' with Andersen if we are prepared to let him depart before the end of his contract and he is prepared to join another club to play first-team football. I was speculating that, should this situation arise in future, we may receive a relatively small fee for him. I've no particular club in mind - other than it could be a promoted club (akin to Ipswich who have taken Diop from us).

So the only way we could part ways is to terminate his contract by mutual consent. This is true but I've a better chance of seeing a squadron of pink pigs fly past (imo).

[Arthur]

So the only way we could part ways is to terminate his contract by mutual consent. This is true but I've a better chance of seeing a squadron of pink pigs fly past (imo).

This isn't what I'm saying: I don't know whether I can explain my view any more clearly than I have but I think there is a chance we can sell him before the end of his contract. Maybe someone else understands my meaning and can put it to Twig in a better way than me.

P.S. At least the squadron of flying pigs are pink. Any other colour and I would have known you thought it utterly impossible.

[flyingfish]

A lot of arguing in this thread. What are the actual live rumours at the moment?

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

A lot of arguing in this thread. What are the actual live rumours at the moment?

Ait-Boudlal and Fort seem to be the most active rumours at the moment.

[jayffc]

A lot of arguing in this thread. What are the actual live rumours at the moment?

Ait-Boudlal and Fort seem to be the most active rumours at the moment.

+ Nwaneri who we've registered interest with with Arsenal apparently
+ Cestero from Real Madrid if they get this CM they are after over the line
+ Mbow from Paris FC potentially if Ait Boudlal doesn't work out (all according to FFN new patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/FulhamFanNews in case any one is interested)

[Coast94]

I predict 3 or 4 more signings.

RCB feels like the one urgent position to fill. We seem hung up on Ait Boudlal, but the club should definitely move on soon if it doesn't progress.

Another RB that fits AA's system would be nice, but depends on Tete's future. We'll probably struggle to offload him.

I'd also like another CM and winger, but they can wait until our yearly deadline day scramble.

[Chi_FFC]

That said regarding anderson - we have remained competitive with him in defence

Frankly, that's underselling his contribution. Fulham's defense (at least in front of the GK) has actually gotten a lot better since he arrived. In the two years prior to his arrival we were 18th and 12th in the PL in shots on targets against and 16 and 13th in xGA (and that's with Joao Palhinha protecting the backline!). In the past two seasons (without Joao) we were 9th and T4th in SOTA and 6th and 10th in xGA. Now obviously Calvin Bassey also deserves credit for this improvement. But if you dig into the numbers you'll see there was some improvement when CB stepped into the lineup and further improvement when he and Joa eventually were paired together.

If you want to look for the real reasons we've underperformed or underachieved the past few seasons, look at our goalkeeping and our striker play. Over the past two seasons Leno has been 17th of 19th and 20 of 20 in goals prevented. Last season our strike partnership managed only 6 non penalty goals on an npxG of 11.68!

[jayffc]

That said regarding anderson - we have remained competitive with him in defence

Frankly, that's underselling his contribution. Fulham's defense (at least in front of the GK) has actually gotten a lot better since he arrived. In the two years prior to his arrival we were 18th and 12th in the PL in shots on targets against and 16 and 13th in xGA (and that's with Joao Palhinha protecting the backline!). In the past two seasons (without Joao) we were 9th and T4th in SOTA and 6th and 10th in xGA. Now obviously Calvin Bassey also deserves credit for this improvement. But if you dig into the numbers you'll see there was some improvement when CB stepped into the lineup and further improvement when he and Joa eventually were paired together.

If you want to look for the real reasons we've underperformed or underachieved the past few seasons, look at our goalkeeping and our striker play. Over the past two seasons Leno has been 17th of 19th and 20 of 20 in goals prevented. Last season our strike partnership managed only 6 non penalty goals on an npxG of 11.68!

All interesting stuff. I will say as well to the eye test, there were so many games where we actually defended well for 85 minutes, and then seemingly switched off late in games or conceded silly soft goals out the blue. So largely think he's done fine (that red card aside which actually may well have cost us europe last year). Unsuprising our strikers sucked last year as we had 1 available for most of it (given JKA wasnt given a shot)...and Marco ended up being pretty conservative.

Anyway, interesting stats that whilst they don't tell the full story of course, do suggest he's hardly been a disaster or something to be ashamed of.

[I Ronic]

A lot of arguing in this thread. What are the actual live rumours at the moment?

The blame can be laid fair and square at the Clubs door.
Usually all the various factions would be in strained agreement that Tony Khan doesn't know what he's doing, robbing us of another fifty pages of varied cathartic  criticism, before we usually sign anybody.
To add insult to injury he actually signs someone before the man in black takes over. I blame his dad.
A Michelin Starred Chef, Toilets having a makeover, what's the World coming to!

[Chi_FFC]

do suggest he's hardly been a disaster or something to be ashamed of.

Again, that's far too dismissive of his contributions. He's been a significant improvement on the RCB's we had prior to his arrival. Now if folks want to have a discussion about whether we should have signed him because of his age and price (and whether 1) he fits into how AA wants to play or 2) we'll be regretting the signing in a year or two) that's one thing, but if we're simply talking about his performance over the past few seasons, he's been very good for us.

[WindyCity]

Interesting discussion, would like to know more about potential acquisitions.  I notice Tete has been mentioned quite a bit.  I have always liked Tete.  Just wondering if anyone knows if he is currently healthy and ready to go.  Not sure if/how much he played in pre season.  Appreciate a Tete update.