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Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

Master Bates

By Master Bates
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Saint Fan CaM

Saint Fan CaM

Posted
Posted
  On 01/04/2025 at 12:40, Ivan Katalinic's 'tache said:

And here's its assessment of Will Smallbone:

Will Smallbone functions as the epistemological epicenter of Southampton FC’s midfield construct, a sentient algorithm within a dynamic, ever-evolving tactical matrix. His role is not merely predicated upon conventional midfield responsibilities but rather upon the higher-order manipulation of spatial-temporal dynamics, operating at the confluence of cognitive preemption, biomechanical synchronicity, and distributive omnipotence.

As both a systemic actuator and an autonomous disruptor, Smallbone traverses the liminal boundary between structured orchestration and improvisational ingenuity. His positional heuristics are governed by an almost quantum-like perception of midfield flux, wherein he oscillates between deep-lying modulatory equilibrium and interstitial zone infiltration with seamless entropy-negating precision. His passing range is an esoteric dialect of footballing semiotics—each trajectory an encrypted transmission of progressive intent, recalibrated in real time to exploit defensive fissures within the opposition’s topographical schema.

Defensively, Smallbone operates within a metacognitive paradigm of anticipatory deterrence, his interventions less a reaction to stimuli and more an a priori negation of nascent offensive trajectories. His counter-pressing ethos is not one of mere physical exertion but of calculated disruption, a symphony of interceptive geometry and high-velocity recalibration that deconstructs opposition build-up with forensic meticulousness.

Ultimately, Smallbone is not so much a midfielder as he is an ontological singularity within Southampton’s tactical continuum—a self-regulating, multidimensional nexus through which the equipoise of control, creativity, and containment is not merely maintained but redefined in perpetuity.

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Wow, not bad. Just think of the superlatives that would be used if he wasn’t a shite player!

Chez

Chez

Posted
Posted
  On 31/03/2025 at 10:25, CSA96 said:

Think we paid €6m so would be doubling in the return

 

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I assume this is a load of bollocks, but would welcome a reboot at right back. He has been really underwhelming.  

  • Like 1
leesaint88

leesaint88

Posted
Posted
  On 02/04/2025 at 13:51, Chez said:

I assume this is a load of bollocks, but would welcome a reboot at right back. He has been really underwhelming.  

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A former colleague is an AZ fan. His words when we signed him were 'great lad, good getting forward but cannot defend at all. Not Premier League standard'

  • Like 2
Gloucester Saint

Gloucester Saint

Posted
Posted
  On 08/04/2025 at 19:39, sandwichsaint said:

Any chance we could weadle Winks away from Leicester? Proven championship quality, solid experienced player, might struggle to get another PL gig.

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Good if we are going with a possession obsessed manager but wouldn’t suit Rohl’s style 

We need more of a Wanyama type when he was at Beerschot pre-Celtic to go with/rotate with Charles. And definitely attacking midfielders!

Football Special

Football Special

Posted
Posted
  On 14/04/2025 at 17:42, Tommy Mulgrew said:

Not sure this is the right place to put it but the FA has published last year’s (Feb24 to Feb25) agent fee payments by each club.  We are above only Ipswich in the EPL and below Everton and Leicester.  Interestingly, Leeds payed more than twice our total.  Chelsea way out in front.

https://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/agents/football-agent-fees-2024-2025-update.ashx

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Is Ankersons brother one of the people we paid? 

Pwoite

Pwoite

Posted
Posted
  On 15/04/2025 at 06:41, AlexLaw76 said:

Ramsdale to Man U - pretty obvious link.

He is clearly available, at a good price (for united), and better than what they have

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What, and get a fourth relegation on his CV?

  • Haha 5
Turkish

Turkish

Posted
Posted
  On 10/04/2025 at 13:34, Stu Man Do said:

Worst link story of the summer? Haha Fernandes, Sule and Tall Paul linked to Goztepe hahahahaha

https://sportwitness.co.uk/sport-republic-could-look-to-get-deal-done-for-three-southampton-players/

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Brilliant! Given the deal we did with the French club in the group for the youth team centre back that puts Fernandes value at 100m, Sule at 75m and TP at 75m

 

Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted (edited)
  On 15/04/2025 at 08:10, Turkish said:

Brilliant! Given the deal we did with the French club in the group for the youth team centre back that puts Fernandes value at 100m, Sule at 75m and TP at 75m

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Why are you still continuing with that?

In 2025 a fee that may or may not rise to €5m (depending on appearances etc) and any money that is paid will be in installments for the French under 19 captain who has 20 appearances in the French 2nd tier is not out of place in the transfer market. 

Yet you keep bringing it up!

Edited by Matthew Le God
Rebel

Rebel

Posted
Posted

If Sports Republic are to prove there is any point to them and there multi club ownership model this summer I would hope a number of Goztepe better players end up at Southampton next season - and make a difference to our team.

At the moment it seems to be a one way relationship - and all in Goztepe's favour.  Not to mention paying £5M to Valenciennes for Kayi-Sanda. About £4M plus than he was worth.

I would hope at the very least that Juan and Matsuki who are on loan at Goztepe from Southampton play for Saints next season - and make a difference.

I would  like to see Novatus Miroshi, Victor Hugo and Romulo Cardoso make the journey from Goztepe to Southampton as well.

Unfortunately I have a feeling a lot will depend on whether Goztepe make it in to Europe or not next season - it may seem a but harsh but for Saints sake I hope they don't. If they do they will probably keep all of these players - and take couple more from us.

If nothing else I hope the Sports Republic scouting network come up with some unknown gems like these players for Saints in the summer instead of the rubbish Rasmus Ankersen has come up with in the past. 

I hope Dragan realises where the real money is - and where he s going to get all the money he's lost back from - and that's with Saints back in the premier league and not with a club in the Turkish league.  

  • Like 3
ErwinK1961

ErwinK1961

Posted
Posted

After predicting BBD could prove to be a better value signing than Delap, I’m just going to go and give this window a 2/10 already, to save the embarrassment this time next year.

disconnect

disconnect

Posted
Posted
  On 15/04/2025 at 13:25, hypochondriac said:

Cool. 40-50 million should do it. 

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RB Leipzig's record transfer is 50 million Euros for the much better known and more established Xavi Simons from PSG, so doubt we'd get near that for Dibling if he goes to them (which is currently the strongest link). I think we'll get £30-35 million 

  • Like 1
hypochondriac

hypochondriac

Posted
Posted
  On 15/04/2025 at 13:52, disconnect said:

RB Leipzig's record transfer is 50 million Euros for the much better known and more established Xavi Simons from PSG, so doubt we'd get near that for Dibling if he goes to them (which is currently the strongest link). I think we'll get £30-35 million 

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I'm not sure why we would accept 30 million. That would be ridiculous. 

tdmickey3

tdmickey3

Posted
Posted
  On 16/04/2025 at 07:45, Matthew Le God said:

 

Were they 'clueless' when they got a fee potentially rising to £58m for Lavia after relegation?

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Your defence of these clowns is laughable, it was not really difficult as he was wanted by 2 big spending teams.

We sold JWP for well under value

But the real cluelessness came with our purchases, Archer, BBD, Fraser, Gronbaek, sugwara etc

  • Like 1
  • Haha 2
hypochondriac

hypochondriac

Posted
Posted
  On 16/04/2025 at 08:05, tdmickey3 said:

Your defence of these clowns is laughable, it was not really difficult as he was wanted by 2 big spending teams.

We sold JWP for well under value

But the real cluelessness came with our purchases, Archer, BBD, Fraser, Gronbaek, sugwara etc

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No argument there. Purchases and especially not replacing most of the team after promotion was awful. I don't think we will be selling assets cheaply though, that's the one area where we have generally done alright in. 

  • Like 2
Dman

Dman

Posted
Posted
  On 16/04/2025 at 09:02, tdmickey3 said:

True but he is miles better than what we have, Fernandes apart.

His price should have been based on his importance to us at the time

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He was incredibly overrated by our fan base.

Free-kicks aside, he was our equivalent of Mark Nobel. Limited ability but a hard-worker. Downes has had a poor season, but I'd don't think there is a huge gap between the pair. 

That being said, I'd jump at the chance to take him back next season, if it came up. 

  • Like 2
hypochondriac

hypochondriac

Posted
Posted
  On 16/04/2025 at 09:16, Dman said:

He was incredibly overrated by our fan base.

Free-kicks aside, he was our equivalent of Mark Nobel. Limited ability but a hard-worker. Downes has had a poor season, but I'd don't think there is a huge gap between the pair. 

That being said, I'd jump at the chance to take him back next season, if it came up. 

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We'd never be able to afford his wages. 

  • Like 1
Dman

Dman

Posted
Posted
  On 16/04/2025 at 09:31, hypochondriac said:

We'd never be able to afford his wages. 

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You're probably right. In reality, if there was a sniff of him coming back, it'd be a loan. 

Anyhow, mute point, its not going to happen. 

Charlie Wayman

Charlie Wayman

Posted
Posted
  On 16/04/2025 at 08:05, tdmickey3 said:

Your defence of these clowns is laughable, it was not really difficult as he was wanted by 2 big spending teams.

We sold JWP for well under value

But the real cluelessness came with our purchases, Archer, BBD, Fraser, Gronbaek, sugwara etc

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We got an amazing deal, even Trump could not have extracted more from the Hammers

  • Like 1
Dman

Dman

Posted
Posted

The contract situation with Josh Brownhill is something we should be keeping a close eye on. Burnely captain, experienced at this level, experienced in promotion, only 29. 

I suspect he'll probably have offers at a higher level, but would be a great signing on a free - should the opportunity arise. 

  • Like 3
West end Saints

West end Saints

Posted
Posted
  On 16/04/2025 at 09:16, Dman said:

He was incredibly overrated by our fan base.

Free-kicks aside, he was our equivalent of Mark Nobel. Limited ability but a hard-worker. Downes has had a poor season, but I'd don't think there is a huge gap between the pair. 

That being said, I'd jump at the chance to take him back next season, if it came up. 

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Think you are miles off with the Downes v JWP comparison.

Downes is 26 and played most of his career outside of the top level, from wiki league 2 - 10, league 1 - 53, champ - 109, prem - 42. He hasn't made it into an England or England under 21 team.

His first full season in prem he has looked out of his depth.

By 26 JWP had

Played 31 times for England under 21, including being capt and winning Toulon tournament.

Played 11 times for England and scored two goals.

Played best part of 300 times in prem league, scoring about 30 goals, generally seen as a consistent worker, I agree, but so much tidier and more composed and better in every way to Downes. A safe 7/10 prem player compared to a 4/10 prem player.

  • Like 7
saint michael

saint michael

Posted
Posted

 

For the first time I am finding it’s difficult to get excited of who we will sign

How do we build success if we continually sell any player that shows a glimpse of skill, talent application etc?

It feels like rent a player as a fan. It does annoy me that they buy to sell continually and this is really the main driver for them making a purchase. Obviously the main driver is to make more and more money for the owners.  

I would rather they were committed to keeping a core of the best players to enable some team success whilst still achieving their financial targets.
 

This Constant churn of many players can’t possibly lead to sustainable success as a club. Sooner or later all the fails will catch you. 

Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted (edited)
  On 16/04/2025 at 15:23, saint michael said:

 

For the first time I am finding it’s difficult to get excited of who we will sign

How do we build success if we continually sell any player that shows a glimpse of skill, talent application etc?

It feels like rent a player as a fan. It does annoy me that they buy to sell continually and this is really the main driver for them making a purchase. Obviously the main driver is to make more and more money for the owners.  

I would rather they were committed to keeping a core of the best players to enable some team success whilst still achieving their financial targets.
 

This Constant churn of many players can’t possibly lead to sustainable success as a club. Sooner or later all the fails will catch you. 

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There are only two or three clubs in world football that are not selling clubs. It is unrealistic to think Saints will ever join that elite list.

It is better to have players like van Dijk and Mane for 2 seasons and enjoy their time with us, rather than plod along with players and staff the elite clubs will never want.

You say "the main driver is to make more and more money for the owners", but that does not hold water. There is zero evidence in the accounts of them taking money out of the group.

Edited by Matthew Le God
saint michael

saint michael

Posted
Posted
  23 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

There are only two or three clubs in world football that are not selling clubs. It is unrealistic to think Saints will ever join that elite list.

It is better to have players like van Dijk and Mane for 2 seasons and enjoy their time with us, rather than plod along with players and staff the elite clubs will never want.

You say "the main driver is to make more and more money for the owners", but that does not hold water. There is zero evidence in the accounts of them taking money out of the group.

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I’ve supported saints since the 60’s so I never have any high expectations of not selling or that owners expect a profit. My point is that Football is no longer the fundamental principle strategy point and selling is for Saints and has been for a while.
 

Individual player value doesn’t mean the club is successful and this year is a good example of buying a team that is far from suited for the purpose of prem football. The board is trying to be far too clever and think they can outperform the market. I want to see football not as a byproduct. 

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