The Summer 2025 Transfer Window Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

This is why transfer windows are fucking shit.

Rewind to 27 years ago and much like Isak wanting to go to Liverpool, Dwight Yorke wanted to go to Man Utd. Villa weren't happy about losing their best player but they're realistic enough to realise he's going to want to go to the best team in the land, he plods through the first game or two not really trying and on 20 August he goes for a very healthy (at the time) £12.5m.

Villa are then able to use that money to buy Paul Merson on 8 September and Dion Dublin on 5 November. Two very good players in for one.

Please someone tell me what was wrong with that set up and why actually we should have arbitrary deadlines which means clubs panic, clubs hoard, players get stuck in limbo and no-one gets what they want.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

I have always hated the transfer windows. There was nothing wrong with how it was before.

As long as JSL isn’t unsettled and happy to stay then great. £60m + is WAY more than he is worth but we’re even more fucked if we sell him.

 

[AndyWolves]

I wouldn't put it past mendes to get involved and start brokering some replacements for us given the parties involved.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

That's fair then and if true there's no need to panic.

Not sure if you're being serious.

 

[prawnking]

I meant 'back up' as in a list of players to move for in the eventuality that we sell any particular player.

Got two lists mate

 

[Alan]

Got two lists mate

One for the bitches and one for the dough?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Got two lists mate

I'm always making lists

 

[Kenny]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1960015532851077281

 

[Kenny]

Beat of luck at Milan mate

https://twitter.com/x/status/1960017391309504695

 

[prawnking]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1960015532851077281

£50m release clause incoming

 

[Lycan]

£50m release clause incoming

Which would be about fair, right?

 

[Jinky]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1960015532851077281

See, this I don’t get. We’ve been told that he won’t push for a move, but let’s be realistic here. He’s going to be on bigger wages, playing in front of a bigger crowd, as first choice for a team who has Champions League football and some actual ambition. I would be astounded if he’s just sat there going “yeah, I’m all good here thanks xx”.

We get told every window that the “recruitment team are always working overtime, always putting plans in place for any situation” - so is it really too much to expect them to have a pool of potential targets should someone come in and offer silly money for one of our players? You know, a contingency plan? Apparently so.

1. No one is ever offering close to £60m for JSL again (same as no one is ever offering us £20m for Hwang again)

2. You offer him more money… so what? To sell him in January anyway? And be more out of pocket? And in the meantime, you have a player who’s not particularly happy here because he’s got one eye on the door (see Cunha for a very recent example of this being the case).

I just don’t see a way that this ends well for us. And saying “he’s not for sale” is all well and good, but we all know if they get to £60m Shi will sell.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Just sell him. Going down anyway.

 

[Kenny]

The only reason i can think of is his team are using it as a chance to get him a pay rise.

Newcastle have offered X amount and our player will more than happily stay with you if you match that. We will encourage Newcastle to bid if not etc etc.

 

[prawnking]

Which would be about fair, right?

As long as he signs it after the 2nd September!

 

[Templeton Peck]

Bosman was fought on restraint of trade yet we have a transfer window?

 

[Lycan]

The only reason i can think of is his team are using it as a chance to get him a pay rise.

Newcastle have offered X amount and our player will more than happily stay with you if you match that. We will encourage Newcastle to bid if not etc etc.

Or maybe just a reward for good performance? He's not a world beater and I think what Newcastle offered is fair value but he's a good player and is clearly going to be important for us if we're going to stay up this season.

His permanent contract will have been negotiated last summer, maybe we think he's worth more than that now.

 

[Kenny]

Just sell him. Going down anyway.

FFS, at least use the spoiler option.

Ruined the whole season for me now

 

[broughtonwolf]

Bosman was fought on restraint of trade yet we have a transfer window

Agreed, but football in general is going to have work this out. Players/ agents equally can't pick and choose which elements of employment law suit them.

Plus you now obviously have UK vs EC labour laws potentially in play.

 

[Jinky]

Or maybe just a reward for good performance? He's not a world beater and I think what Newcastle offered is fair value but he's a good player and is clearly going to be important for us if we're going to stay up this season.

His permanent contract will have been negotiated last summer, maybe we think he's worth more than that now.

But we’re only willing to pay him more now because someone else has shown interest?

I’m not advocating us selling him, btw. They’ve essentially admitted they wouldn’t have a clue how to replace him this late on, so we might as well pay him more and hope he knocks in a few goals to help us stay up.

He’ll eventually go, though (although not for anything close to what we’re being offered now) because once a players head is turned it only ends one way.