Summer 2025 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[olaftab]

That's basically saying "have you got any condoms?"

[SamTheMouse]

None of our other midfielders can play slide-rules and defence-splitters like Youri (Torres from further back, at times). Were he to leave, that ability would have to be replaced.

Agreed.

[brontebilly]

This is probably my most controversial Villa opinion at the moment, but as good as Youri has been this year (and he's my player of the season), I would be tempted by a huge offer for him. I think he is one of the players that we could really improve on, and it's not through any fault of his really. He just lacks a physicality that is so important in the middle of the pitch, and means we occasionally get overrun. You can get away with being slow, small and a bit weak in most matches and in most positions, but sometimes I feel like Youri really struggles to make an impact on a match against certain teams.

That's not always the case - he was great against Newcastle the other week, for example. But he just has a few limitations that he'll never be able to overcome. If we could find a player, somewhere, that can pass the ball like he can, as well as offering something else physically, whether that's defensive power, speed to get around the pitch or the ability to beat a man, then I think we could become a much better team. Could Sverre Nypan be his replacement...? Is the Onana and Kamara combination the way forward anyway?

I certainly wouldn't be actively looking to sell him, but he's not irreplaceable, in my opinion. And if it means we can be really ambitious in the transfer market, then I think we should consider it.

(And while I'm spouting controversial nonsense, I think a Konsa replacement is as important as a Cash replacement in the summer)

This is the place for controversial opinions! Maybe from a pure accounting perspective it's make sense to trade in, Emery has turned around a free transfer into a top class PL midfielder. But we won't get better as a team selling our best players.

Onana can't play on the half turn so no way for me as a replacement. I thought we saw in the second half how much we missed a playmaker like Tielemans or even Luiz before him. Bournemouth pushed up on us and Onana after a very strong first half faded. We just couldn't get playing and kept going long and losing the ball.

I think Tielemans has been Emery's biggest success story. I'm stunned he has successfully replaced Luiz's influence in the team. Last season I thought his influence was overstated. He did have some fine games, often at 10 like v Man City, but had injuries and his early form was shocking really. He looked every inch the player that spent the last 12-18 months at Leicester doing zilch. I distinctly remember playing at Bournemouth where Luiz effectively played by himself in midfield for all the impact Tielemans had next to him. But he's turned it around spectacularly. Emery's man management doesn't get enough credit.

Haven't been a fan at all of Konsa this season, scratching around the England squad seems to have sent his ego into orbit. But I thought he was very good at Bournemouth, bar one header that went up in the air. He just did the basics very well. If Torres is Emery's man then maybe we need somebody else - but he's hardly given Disasi a chance. Think he rates Konsa highly.

[Somniloquism]

The transfer deadline will close four hours earlier than previously for this summer's double window with the time set to change from 23:00 to 19:00 BST.

[boozey182]

This is the place for controversial opinions! Maybe from a pure accounting perspective it's make sense to trade in, Emery has turned around a free transfer into a top class PL midfielder. But we won't get better as a team selling our best players.

Onana can't play on the half turn so no way for me as a replacement. I thought we saw in the second half how much we missed a playmaker like Tielemans or even Luiz before him. Bournemouth pushed up on us and Onana after a very strong first half faded. We just couldn't get playing and kept going long and losing the ball.

I think Tielemans has been Emery's biggest success story. I'm stunned he has successfully replaced Luiz's influence in the team. Last season I thought his influence was overstated. He did have some fine games, often at 10 like v Man City, but had injuries and his early form was shocking really. He looked every inch the player that spent the last 12-18 months at Leicester doing zilch. I distinctly remember playing at Bournemouth where Luiz effectively played by himself in midfield for all the impact Tielemans had next to him. But he's turned it around spectacularly. Emery's man management doesn't get enough credit.

Haven't been a fan at all of Konsa this season, scratching around the England squad seems to have sent his ego into orbit. But I thought he was very good at Bournemouth, bar one header that went up in the air. He just did the basics very well. If Torres is Emery's man then maybe we need somebody else - but he's hardly given Disasi a chance. Think he rates Konsa highly.

I have high hopes that Onana will develop as a player over the next year or so. I think he's been excellent since he came back from his latest injury. Like with Tyrone, I think we've been quite cautious about how we've used him, which may have limited his impact, but hopefully mean he'll be fully fit for next season. Next year we can work on him being a little more composed on the ball, and be able to pick out passes from the back. If he does that, given his physical attributes, he'll be very difficult to play against. Is it something that can be taught? I don't know, but to agree with you about Tielemens - I also thought he was disappointing last season, especially when playing deeper. And look at him now.

We have a really good squad at the moment, but I think the next step in our development is eliminating our various weaknesses. That means more physicality, more energy in midfield, more ability to play out from the back (especially down our right hand side), and being more clinical. An upgrade on Tielemens, as difficult as that may be to find, will solve a few of those issues, so we shouldn't rule it out if the money suits. (Also, I hate the idea of having to sell players, especially our better ones. I don't want to have to think about income, wages as a percentage of turnover, sponsorship deals, corporate packages etc. But here we are).

Anyway, none of this should detract from SE's very valuable point that more people should hire me*. Especially if you know of Belgian assets that you need to convince people to sell.

*And him, for that matter. ~doffs cap~

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

I'd like to see us getting Cunha from that lot in the black country. Great attacking and, let's face it, dirty player I'd like to see.

[Keeno]

First window in a while where outside of maybe an elite RB I can't really guess at an obvious set of transfer moves that Monchi & co. will make. In January, it was really clear what we needed and they addressed those obvious shortcomings in the squad. However it feels like the four permanent players from the last few windows (Onana, Maatsen, Malen and Garcia) will all be adapted and feeling like 'new' players come August. 

I think it'll be really dictated by the outgoings - if we can get away with shifting deadwood/maybe a Barrenachea sale for PSR, I don't think we'll make many signings at all apart from 1-2 BIG ones (similar to the Rashford deal in Jan - maybe even him). However if we have to shift a player that's in the first XI, then that'll be where the exciting signings will come.

Seems like Nyppan is coming in either way as a project player - outside that, really don't know how to predict this window.

Squad-wise we're in a great position overall IMO - one or two things to address to potentially take us into that Top 3 conversation.

[Drummond]

Sell Tielemans £60m, buy Luiz £30m. FFP problems resolved.

[Dave]

First window in a while where outside of maybe an elite RB I can't really guess at an obvious set of transfer moves that Monchi & co. will make. In January, it was really clear what we needed and they addressed those obvious shortcomings in the squad. However it feels like the four permanent players from the last few windows (Onana, Maatsen, Malen and Garcia) will all be adapted and feeling like 'new' players come August.

As it stands, I'd say that right-back is quite low down the list of priorities. The obvious priority that needs to be added is a right-sided centre-back. Whether that's an upgrade on Konsa or something a bit more versatile (like the mooted Geertruida move last summer). Unless Gauci or Zych is seem as ready, then a goalkeeper is probably next in line on the list.

I'd then say that at least two attackers, either our two borrowed ones coming in permanently or replacements for the borrowed ones.

Then we start talking about right-backs.

[brontebilly]

I'd like to see us getting Cunha from that lot in the black country. Great attacking and, let's face it, dirty player I'd like to see.

Tends to throw a fair old strop when things aren't going his way. Wouldn't get away with that at a bigger club. Talented player though and well able to mix it. Better option than Asensio or Buendia but still think Rogers has more scope to improve.

[LeeB]

Express attacking pace is priority no.1 I reckon.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Express attacking pace is priority no.1 I reckon.

Yep, more important than RB imo.

[Hookeysmith]

and that Fernandes guy who's likely to get relegated next year.

Are you on drugs? - i would not want that selfish, arrogant, piece of shit rat faced fucker anywhere near our team.

I was not a great fan of us taking Rashford but came to the point where if he was good for us it made them look stupid and Amorim a knob - that is how it panned out - just.

But that cheating, slimy human detritus could agree to play for free and i would rather the corpse of Robbie Savage line up in our midfield.

[Monty]

Bruno Fernandes is one of the best players on earth and might be the reason Man Utd haven't been relegated.

[cdbearsfan]

There are three reasons they haven't been relegated. Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton.