Winter Silly Season Transfer Thread 2025/2026

[General]

Silva looks to be genuinely delighted with the Bobb signing. Praising the board and none of the thinly veiled digs we've seen in the past. Just wondering if the funds are there for a striker and a midfielder. Think Pepi will still happen, if we were somehow able to get a quality midfielder in  Atta ? Etc then this could be a sensational window. Could we dare to dream that we can push on and maybe maintain the position we currently find ourselves in?

It worries me more when Silva is calm

Haha, me too. Talking about his renewal being based on the whole tenure he's been with us sounds quite grounded and left me scrambling a bit re what he may have had as dominant thoughts.. he referenced 5 yrs and it being a long time, so naturally I'm questioning that statement from all angles

[hopper]

https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2017553992838951335

[Rambler]

https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2017553992838951335

Too much for him. Think we can find better

[South Coast White]

https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2017553992838951335

I think this is a very high risk purchace, looking at reports he has had so many injury concerns with achillies and ankle issues, I would stay well clear of this.

[JimmyConway]

Don't think personally he takes us up a notch. Injury record has been mentioned. Could be an expensive squad filler? The lad at Boro would be a better option long term.

[jayffc]

CM and Striker essential if we want Europe. I get what people are saying in terms of we will be ok waiting till summer, yes we will be OK, but that's OK if you are content with 12th to 14th in the table.

I can't say I quite understand where the club want to be, we don't appear to project a vision of where we want to get to

I'm sure I read somewhere that Marco had outlined the plan. To establish us in the the Prem with Prem quality players, then sign younger players with potential to move up the league.

I can't remember where I read it, but I would think that most midtable clubs have a similar plan to.

Jay has posted it 157 times so you probably read it there.

In reality in terms of age we went in a different "direction" (Silva's words) to most mid-table clubs by going for older players. Then decided "now is the time" to change that direction.

If Kent's talking purely about "ambition", I'd sat that correlates more with spending levels in practical terms. But i agree, in that respect we were clearly until recently content to hang around in 12/13th, and now there are signs we're pushing for something else. If we sign another big name this weekend, given we've historically spent very little in January, personally I'd interpret that as going almost flat out for European qualification now.

full quote is:
" we went in one direction to be [full of] Premier League experience to create a platform at the base inside of the football club.
I think we are in this stage right now and it was a moment for us, step by step, for our average age to be in a different position "

So
1. We decided to start our approach by establishing a base inside the club of prem experience first. Focusing on that mostly.
2. Having achieved that base of experience ("I think we are in this "stage" right now), now was the moment to "step by step" address our average age. Logically this suggests it was decided that then was not the moment, but that there would be a moment once we established that base. Aka we had always planned to do it this way.
3. "Create a platform" suggests something to build from...i.e indicating that's just the first stage if a longer plan

I don't know how much clearer one wants that to be that it was a premeditated plan of stages. The subtle but specific reframing with the words "Then decided..." - like they woke up one day and went sh** maybe we should buy some youth, out the blue, isn't indicated by any of the clubs or managers words on this over the years. What's said does however support that this decision was already made to do this once they reached this point - as in - they were planning towards that day all along... 

Why one doesn't or isn't willing to just accept that and take that as good news that those running the clubs strategies are, perhaps, more competent and forward planning than maybe you've been willing to give them credit for historically, one can only speculate, and so I shan't as no point really.

I can only speak for myself, to me from the evidence we have, it's clearly been the plan all along. People are welcome to read the quotes themselves and form their own opinion.

The rest is fair enough, we wanted to achieve stability sustainably - we got it - now it does look like they're willing to push for big deals if they are the right player at the right price to push us on, whilst still keeping it sustainable. Silva saying the club have been interested in Bobb for a long time suggests we have been keeping an eye on him and waiting for the right time if a deal should become available. Glad we managed to get the chance to swipe him.

[South Coast White]

https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2017553992838951335

I think this is a very high risk purchace, looking at reports he has had so many injury concerns with achillies and ankle issues, I would stay well clear of this.

Just checked his history, 45 games missed since 23/24 season.

[demeant0r]

Are we Rehab United?

[jayffc]

https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2017553992838951335

Back to transfers now...

He showed alot of promise once and still young, clubs had this guy on their list for a while seemingly as we've been linked a few times before.

On the spenny side given his form more recently but I guess I'll trust the club and Marco that they see something in him he can work with.

Prefer other options but quite possible the right deal isn't there for them

[Angus Telford]

CM and Striker essential if we want Europe. I get what people are saying in terms of we will be ok waiting till summer, yes we will be OK, but that's OK if you are content with 12th to 14th in the table.

I can't say I quite understand where the club want to be, we don't appear to project a vision of where we want to get to

I'm sure I read somewhere that Marco had outlined the plan. To establish us in the the Prem with Prem quality players, then sign younger players with potential to move up the league.

I can't remember where I read it, but I would think that most midtable clubs have a similar plan to.

Jay has posted it 157 times so you probably read it there.

In reality in terms of age we went in a different "direction" (Silva's words) to most mid-table clubs by going for older players. Then decided "now is the time" to change that direction.

If Kent's talking purely about "ambition", I'd sat that correlates more with spending levels in practical terms. But i agree, in that respect we were clearly until recently content to hang around in 12/13th, and now there are signs we're pushing for something else. If we sign another big name this weekend, given we've historically spent very little in January, personally I'd interpret that as going almost flat out for European qualification now.

full quote is:
" we went in one direction to be [full of] Premier League experience to create a platform at the base inside of the football club.
I think we are in this stage right now and it was a moment for us, step by step, for our average age to be in a different position "

So
1. We decided to start our approach by establishing a base inside the club of prem experience first. Focusing on that mostly.
2. Having achieved that base of experience ("I think we are in this "stage" right now), now was the moment to "step by step" address our average age. Logically this suggests it was decided that then was not the moment, but that there would be a moment once we established that base. Aka we had always planned to do it this way.

I don't know how much clearer one wants that to be that it was a premeditated plan of stages. The subtle but specific reframing with the words "Then decided..." - like they woke up one day and went sh** maybe we should buy some youth, out the blue, isn't indicated by any of the clubs or managers words on this over the years. What's said does however support that this decision was already made to do this once they reached this point - as in - they were planning towards that day all along... 

Why one doesn't or isn't willing to just accept that and take that as good news that those running the clubs strategies are, perhaps, more competent and forward planning than maybe you've been willing to give them credit for historically, one can only speculate, and so I shan't as no point really.

I can only speak for myself, to me from the evidence we have, it's clearly been the plan all along. People are welcome to read the quotes themselves and form their own opinion.

The rest is fair enough, we wanted to achieve stability sustainably - we got it - now it does look like they're willing to push for big deals if they are the right player and deal to push us on, whilst still keeping it sustainable.

I was really addressing Suffolk's comment that most mid-table clubs were doing the same thing. In fact I think we were an outlier by focussing so much on experience.

I've told you, whether we decided to pivot from that on the spur of the moment last August, or planned that pivot in advance, is pretty inconsequential to me. FWIW Silva's comments seem pretty ambiguous on that point to me, and of course anyone can say retrospectively that was the plan all along anyway. Most importantly, it doesn't speak at all to whether that original approach was the best choice, or a mistake. Surely that's enough on this issue now.

[demeant0r]

https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2017553992838951335

Back to transfers now...

He showed alot of promise once and still young, clubs had this guy on their list for a while seemingly as we've been linked a few times before.

On the spenny side given his form more recently but I guess I'll trust the club and Marco that they see something in him he can work with.

Prefer other options but quite possible the right deal isn't there for them

Still young? He's 26 so he should be nearing his prime. I understand 26 is a baby in many eyes but in football terms, that's already middle age.

[KentFulham]

CM and Striker essential if we want Europe. I get what people are saying in terms of we will be ok waiting till summer, yes we will be OK, but that's OK if you are content with 12th to 14th in the table.

I can't say I quite understand where the club want to be, we don't appear to project a vision of where we want to get to

12th to 14th?   If West Ham continue on a roll they will finish with possibly over 40 points so nobody in the middle of the table is safe yet. Anybody can beat anybody this season in the premier league except maybe for the bottom two and it's possible that one team could go on a bad losing streak.

A European place would be great but personally think we need a couple more players in the next couple of days to achieve this goal.

I agree we need a couple more too

[SerbianLad]

I'd be underwhelmed if Willock ends up being who we sign. A decent player, but I think that is a priority position in terms of who we need to sign and I was expecting someone more exciting, whether that's someone who's already better than Willock or someone who has a potential to be better, but definitely someone more exciting.

[Trusty Steed]

Willock is ok. But ok isn't what we are aiming for. Berge and Lukic are 'Ok'.
I'm happy with them for squad players, but we need to upgrade our 8 & 6 roles.

[jayffc]

CM and Striker essential if we want Europe. I get what people are saying in terms of we will be ok waiting till summer, yes we will be OK, but that's OK if you are content with 12th to 14th in the table.

I can't say I quite understand where the club want to be, we don't appear to project a vision of where we want to get to

I'm sure I read somewhere that Marco had outlined the plan. To establish us in the the Prem with Prem quality players, then sign younger players with potential to move up the league.

I can't remember where I read it, but I would think that most midtable clubs have a similar plan to.

Jay has posted it 157 times so you probably read it there.

In reality in terms of age we went in a different "direction" (Silva's words) to most mid-table clubs by going for older players. Then decided "now is the time" to change that direction.

If Kent's talking purely about "ambition", I'd sat that correlates more with spending levels in practical terms. But i agree, in that respect we were clearly until recently content to hang around in 12/13th, and now there are signs we're pushing for something else. If we sign another big name this weekend, given we've historically spent very little in January, personally I'd interpret that as going almost flat out for European qualification now.

full quote is:
" we went in one direction to be [full of] Premier League experience to create a platform at the base inside of the football club.
I think we are in this stage right now and it was a moment for us, step by step, for our average age to be in a different position "

So
1. We decided to start our approach by establishing a base inside the club of prem experience first. Focusing on that mostly.
2. Having achieved that base of experience ("I think we are in this "stage" right now), now was the moment to "step by step" address our average age. Logically this suggests it was decided that then was not the moment, but that there would be a moment once we established that base. Aka we had always planned to do it this way.

I don't know how much clearer one wants that to be that it was a premeditated plan of stages. The subtle but specific reframing with the words "Then decided..." - like they woke up one day and went sh** maybe we should buy some youth, out the blue, isn't indicated by any of the clubs or managers words on this over the years. What's said does however support that this decision was already made to do this once they reached this point - as in - they were planning towards that day all along... 

Why one doesn't or isn't willing to just accept that and take that as good news that those running the clubs strategies are, perhaps, more competent and forward planning than maybe you've been willing to give them credit for historically, one can only speculate, and so I shan't as no point really.

I can only speak for myself, to me from the evidence we have, it's clearly been the plan all along. People are welcome to read the quotes themselves and form their own opinion.

The rest is fair enough, we wanted to achieve stability sustainably - we got it - now it does look like they're willing to push for big deals if they are the right player and deal to push us on, whilst still keeping it sustainable.

I was really addressing Suffolk's comment that most mid-table clubs were doing the same thing. In fact I think we were an outlier by focussing so much on experience.

I've told you, whether we decided to pivot from that on the spur of the moment last August, or planned that pivot in advance, is pretty inconsequential to me. I don't find Silva's comments conclusive (anyone can say retrospectively that was the plan all along) and anyway, it doesn't speak at all to whether that original approach was the best choice, or a mistake. Surely that's enough on this issue now.

It's great that it's inconsequential to you now but you've been hypercritical historically about it all and making strong assertions to the contrary pushing back against the idea for years. Now presented with direct words from our Manager about it, the assertion is Silva saying it was the case, doesn't mean it's the case, i.e suggesting he could just be lying or making it up😅...

Ha, I mean. sure man, it's possible it's all make believe, but given it runs in line with both the actions that have taken place and all other rhetoric from the club on our approach to promotion this time out. Why one wouldn't just concede it's at very least most likely the case, I don't know.

And I've told you on other thread, I can understand how leaning on an unfalsifiable outcome of what might or might not have been had we approached it differently is useful, exactly because it can not be proven one way or another. But because of that, all we can go off is what actually happened. And is it working as, assuming silva is telling the truth, the club had planned. It seems mostly yes so far. We can also look at our other approach of spending huge under the Khans in first promotion season ended badly initially, though that's not a guarantee history would repeat, of course.

They said they would learn from it and take a different apprach this time, and they have. Hopefully that is enough on the issue yes.

[jayffc]

https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2017553992838951335

Back to transfers now...

He showed alot of promise once and still young, clubs had this guy on their list for a while seemingly as we've been linked a few times before.

On the spenny side given his form more recently but I guess I'll trust the club and Marco that they see something in him he can work with.

Prefer other options but quite possible the right deal isn't there for them

Still young? He's 26 so he should be nearing his prime. I understand 26 is a baby in many eyes but in football terms, that's already middle age.

Ah to be fair I think in my head I was going off of old links when he was younger thinking he was still 25 or even younger. Indeed he should be heading towards his prime years, if Marco thinks he can level him up into that then so be it. As I say personally more anamoured by others on our list but we have been interested in this guy for a while it seems

[FFC007]

We should be going for Hackney or Whitaker, young championship players with lots of potential, and possible resale at a big profit..

Not someone who's spent a long time in the sick bay.

[Jim©]

CM and Striker essential if we want Europe. I get what people are saying in terms of we will be ok waiting till summer, yes we will be OK, but that's OK if you are content with 12th to 14th in the table.

I can't say I quite understand where the club want to be, we don't appear to project a vision of where we want to get to

12th to 14th?   If West Ham continue on a roll they will finish with possibly over 40 points so nobody in the middle of the table is safe yet. Anybody can beat anybody this season in the premier league except maybe for the bottom two and it's possible that one team could go on a bad losing streak.

A European place would be great but personally think we need a couple more players in the next couple of days to achieve this goal.

I'd be shocked if they get 40 points. They've taken 23 games to get 20, another 20 in 15 games is almost European places form, can't see them doing that.

Re us, I'd love us to get gomes in and a good cf if poss, if not happy to wait until summer.

[SerbianLad]

We should be going for Hackney or Whitaker, young championship players with lots of potential, and possible resale at a big profit..

Not someone who's spent a long time in the sick bay.

Whittaker is a winger/number 10. We absolutely don't need him. We have 5 wingers and 2 number 10's + ESR who can play on the left wing and Bobb/Wilson/Iwobi/TC who can all play in the number 10 role. He covers positions where we have more depth in than anywhere else on the pitch. On top of that, he reportedly has attitude issues.

[jayffc]

We should be going for Hackney or Whitaker, young championship players with lots of potential, and possible resale at a big profit..

Not someone who's spent a long time in the sick bay.

Whittaker is a winger/number 10. We absolutely don't need him. We have 5 wingers and 2 number 10's + ESR who can play on the left wing and Bobb/Wilson/Iwobi/TC who can all play in the number 10 role. He covers positions where we have more depth in than anywhere else on the pitch. On top of that, he reportedly has attitude issues.

Would add Boro unlikely to entertain a deal for Hackney - club captain and best player in the middle of a promotion push.