Summer Silly Season Transfer Thread 2025

[Deeping_white]

I would counter that having an older backup keeper isn't the end of the world given we were probably an outlier in having a second choice keeper under 30 last season, and if you did have to pick a comfortably 30+ member of the squad, backup keeper is where you'd want them

It's a fair point, I don't necessarily have a problem with the signings in isolation. It's just there was substantially a consensus on here coming into this window that a key (probably our biggest) aim was to bring down the average age, and the links at the moment, bar that fading Romulo rumours, are the same late 20s, high wage, Arsenal/Chelsea cast-offs.

Agree & I would prefer it if we could drop it down too - it seems most targets are entering or at prime age with Sterling being one who we might view as another restoration job, but it would be good to bring in some left field youth to pad the numbers out given you could likely replace Reed and AP with younger players with potential and probably not notice any downturn in squad performance

[Deeping_white]

https://twitter.com/fulhamtransfer/status/1950210839455158584

[WindyCity]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness, but speculating on loans, one year let's see MS work his magic, just doesn't feel like top flight stuff.  Building for the future, building a solid base, etc I can't see it.

Is Villa really that much a bigger club than FFC?  I see them linked with many top players, at top prices, etc.  Sure, much rumored, pure garbage, but I see Villa and several other clubs around or below us active in transfers and speculation.  United have 5-6 top players that they are discarding, and there is nothing there for FFC to be linked?  I recognize FFC a 'smaller club' in the overall discussion, but, we are in top flight after all.  Teams around us, like Palace and others, seem to attract and secure top players from time to time.  Seems FFC always looking to obtain frees, loans or players at career ends.

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

https://twitter.com/fulhamtransfer/status/1950210839455158584

Feels rehashed from January this.

[hopper]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness, but speculating on loans, one year let's see MS work his magic, just doesn't feel like top flight stuff.  Building for the future, building a solid base, etc I can't see it.

Is Villa really that much a bigger club than FFC?  I see them linked with many top players, at top prices, etc.  Sure, much rumored, pure garbage, but I see Villa and several other clubs around or below us active in transfers and speculation.  United have 5-6 top players that they are discarding, and there is nothing there for FFC to be linked?  I recognize FFC a 'smaller club' in the overall discussion, but, we are in top flight after all.  Teams around us, like Palace and others, seem to attract and secure top players from time to time.  Seems FFC always looking to obtain frees, loans or players at career ends.

Is Palhinha really beyond usefuleness?

[Jules]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness, but speculating on loans, one year let's see MS work his magic, just doesn't feel like top flight stuff.  Building for the future, building a solid base, etc I can't see it.

Is Villa really that much a bigger club than FFC?  I see them linked with many top players, at top prices, etc.  Sure, much rumored, pure garbage, but I see Villa and several other clubs around or below us active in transfers and speculation.  United have 5-6 top players that they are discarding, and there is nothing there for FFC to be linked?  I recognize FFC a 'smaller club' in the overall discussion, but, we are in top flight after all.  Teams around us, like Palace and others, seem to attract and secure top players from time to time.  Seems FFC always looking to obtain frees, loans or players at career ends.

Agree, frustrating that we don't go for younger players with upward potential rather than old players on big wages discarded from big clubs.

[WindyCity]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness

Is Palhinha really beyond usefuleness?

I guess you didn't read the complete post, did you?.........

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness, but speculating on loans, one year let's see MS work his magic, just doesn't feel like top flight stuff.  Building for the future, building a solid base, etc I can't see it.

Is Villa really that much a bigger club than FFC?  I see them linked with many top players, at top prices, etc.  Sure, much rumored, pure garbage, but I see Villa and several other clubs around or below us active in transfers and speculation.  United have 5-6 top players that they are discarding, and there is nothing there for FFC to be linked?  I recognize FFC a 'smaller club' in the overall discussion, but, we are in top flight after all.  Teams around us, like Palace and others, seem to attract and secure top players from time to time.  Seems FFC always looking to obtain frees, loans or players at career ends.

This is the key issue for me, we just seem to be happy with stagnation rather than development and making that next step (ie. Europe, winning a first major trophy). Makes me very jealous seeing Forest, Palace, Brighton, West Ham, Leicester, Wolves, Burnley, Everton, Southampton, even Hull either win a major trophy or play in Europe in the last decade.

[hopper]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness

Is Palhinha really beyond usefuleness?

I guess you didn't read the complete post, did you?.........

I agree with some of the other players mentioned and did read the whole post. But feels sensationalist to put Palhinha in a list of players 'likely well beyond their usefulness'. I'm not misquoting you am I, just questioning it.

I'm frustrated with how we do our business too, but will wait til end of the window to claim we are only interested in players that are on the decline. I personally think this concern about age gets a little blown out of proportion, as there are young players coming through as well.

Have we even been linked to Vardy who you also mention?

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness

Is Palhinha really beyond usefuleness?

I guess you didn't read the complete post, did you?.........

I agree with some of the other players mentioned and did read the whole post. But feels sensationalist to put Palhinha in a list of players 'likely well beyond their usefulness'. I'm not misquoting you am I, just questioning it.

I'm frustrated with how we do our business too, but will wait til end of the window to claim we are only interested in players that are on the decline. I personally think this concern about age gets a little blown out of proportion, as there are young players coming through as well.

Have we even been linked to Vardy who you also mention?

Don't think there are any links to Vardy, someone just mentioned him above as someone they'd like us to consider.

[hopper]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness

Is Palhinha really beyond usefuleness?

I guess you didn't read the complete post, did you?.........

I agree with some of the other players mentioned and did read the whole post. But feels sensationalist to put Palhinha in a list of players 'likely well beyond their usefulness'. I'm not misquoting you am I, just questioning it.

I'm frustrated with how we do our business too, but will wait til end of the window to claim we are only interested in players that are on the decline. I personally think this concern about age gets a little blown out of proportion, as there are young players coming through as well.

Have we even been linked to Vardy who you also mention?

Don't think there are any links to Vardy, someone just mentioned him above as someone they'd like us to consider.

Right, that's what I thought. This is why I think responding to rumours from poor sources is also a waste of time, people can get angry with the club over a total fabrication.

[WindyCity]

I will say this about Palhinha.  I did follow his activity at BM when he did play, and it seemed any time he made an appearance BM conceded goals.  I'm really not sure how effective he was there.  Sure, different league, different styles of play, etc.  But he wasn't getting a lot of play time, much time on bench.  I know, some off time due to injury, but overall I don't think he contributed all that much to BM. 

Not saying he has nothing left to offer a team like FFC, but just be careful what you wish for....

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

I will say this about Palhinha.  I did follow his activity at BM when he did play, and it seemed any time he made an appearance BM conceded goals.  I'm really not sure how effective he was there.  Sure, different league, different styles of play, etc.  But he wasn't getting a lot of play time, much time on bench.  I know, some off time due to injury, but overall I don't think he contributed all that much to BM. 

Not saying he has nothing left to offer a team like FFC, but just be careful what you wish for....

Palhinha is probably the best player I have ever seen play for Fulham in terms of quality, but I'm a strong proponent of "don't go back to your ex" when it comes to players. Rarely ever works out.

[St Eve]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness, but speculating on loans, one year let's see MS work his magic, just doesn't feel like top flight stuff.  Building for the future, building a solid base, etc I can't see it.

Is Villa really that much a bigger club than FFC?  I see them linked with many top players, at top prices, etc.  Sure, much rumored, pure garbage, but I see Villa and several other clubs around or below us active in transfers and speculation.  United have 5-6 top players that they are discarding, and there is nothing there for FFC to be linked?  I recognize FFC a 'smaller club' in the overall discussion, but, we are in top flight after all.  Teams around us, like Palace and others, seem to attract and secure top players from time to time.  Seems FFC always looking to obtain frees, loans or players at career ends.

Yes, Villa are a bigger club. We can't afford the salaries of United rejects. Remember we get crowds of 25-28k, less tv money, less sponsorships etc. Yet we are stable financially, unlike Forest, Villa, Everton, Wolves. Our recruitment is managed within the realms of our budget. Getting Palhinha back after selling him for 50 million is brilliant. Getting Nelson on loan with a buy of 15 million is smart. Getting Sterling for a cut price to replace a 6 year older William is good business. I don't for one minute think we are looking at Vardy or Werner. Kdh, who we are strongly linked with, would be a good investment.

[Craven Mad]

Chukwueze would be amazing. Would love him to join us.

[FFC1987]

I mean, thats factually true Angus......but my point was that entirely relies on a backup goalkeeper, at 34 (not an unreasonable age for a backup GK) with a young (ish) backup we didn't think was good enough.....Think we can agree we're clutching a bit surely.

I agree with you though that ideally, I'd like to see some more links to younger talents, particularly ones from abroad without paying the English premium. Hell, even an infusion of more of our youth which we signed to longer deals.

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness, but speculating on loans, one year let's see MS work his magic, just doesn't feel like top flight stuff.  Building for the future, building a solid base, etc I can't see it.

Is Villa really that much a bigger club than FFC?  I see them linked with many top players, at top prices, etc.  Sure, much rumored, pure garbage, but I see Villa and several other clubs around or below us active in transfers and speculation.  United have 5-6 top players that they are discarding, and there is nothing there for FFC to be linked?  I recognize FFC a 'smaller club' in the overall discussion, but, we are in top flight after all.  Teams around us, like Palace and others, seem to attract and secure top players from time to time.  Seems FFC always looking to obtain frees, loans or players at career ends.

Yes, Villa are a bigger club. We can't afford the salaries of United rejects. Remember we get crowds of 25-28k, less tv money, less sponsorships etc. Yet we are stable financially, unlike Forest, Villa, Everton, Wolves. Our recruitment is managed within the realms of our budget. Getting Palhinha back after selling him for 50 million is brilliant. Getting Nelson on loan with a buy of 15 million is smart. Getting Sterling for a cut price to replace a 6 year older William is good business. I don't for one minute think we are looking at Vardy or Werner. Kdh, who we are strongly linked with, would be a good investment.

The two things you neglect in these deals are agent fees (from buying and selling players, ie. round trip costs) and wages.

[MarcusPage]

Just a bit frustrated with all this speculation on players that are likely well beyond their usefulness.  Werner, Sterling, Willian, Palhinha, Vardy, Nelson (glass), et al.  Doesn't really seem this is how a mid table prem club should be acting.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked many of those players mentioned, and some may still have some usefulness, but speculating on loans, one year let's see MS work his magic, just doesn't feel like top flight stuff.  Building for the future, building a solid base, etc I can't see it.

Is Villa really that much a bigger club than FFC?  I see them linked with many top players, at top prices, etc.  Sure, much rumored, pure garbage, but I see Villa and several other clubs around or below us active in transfers and speculation.  United have 5-6 top players that they are discarding, and there is nothing there for FFC to be linked?  I recognize FFC a 'smaller club' in the overall discussion, but, we are in top flight after all.  Teams around us, like Palace and others, seem to attract and secure top players from time to time.  Seems FFC always looking to obtain frees, loans or players at career ends.

Can't be real.

Villa are the biggest club outside of the top 5 (they're much bigger than Spurs) to begin with. Their fans are also in meltdown because they haven't signed anyone.

Palace tried for and were rejected by ESR and Sess last season.

[btffc]

I will say this about Palhinha.  I did follow his activity at BM when he did play, and it seemed any time he made an appearance BM conceded goals.  I'm really not sure how effective he was there.  Sure, different league, different styles of play, etc.  But he wasn't getting a lot of play time, much time on bench.  I know, some off time due to injury, but overall I don't think he contributed all that much to BM. 

Not saying he has nothing left to offer a team like FFC, but just be careful what you wish for....

I think almost all of our defensive stats improved last season after he left. GA went down, xGA went down significantly, final 3rd and penalty area entries allowed went down significantly.

The highlight reel tackles are incredibly fun to watch, but Berge and Lukic's positional soundness made us much more solid defensively. They also are far superior on the ball allowing us to keep possession and progress the ball more easily which also aids the defense.

Bringing Palhinha back would be a big mistake in my opinion. His style of play is more suited to a team in a relegation fight than one pushing for Europe. He's a floor raiser not a ceiling raiser.

[St Eve]

I think not bringing Palhinha back would be a huge mistake