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

[eamonn]

Buendia signed a new contract with us to preserve his transfer value before joining Leverkusen on-loan. They had an option for 20m (Euros and not GBP though, I think) and they're not taking it up. Unless new manager Eric ten Haag has other ideas.

[Gareth]

Nobody would have given us 20m for Buendia before his injury, he was v average since we.signed him….if anyone gives 10m now I’d be shocked.

[brontebilly]

Buendia signed a new contract with us to preserve his transfer value before joining Leverkusen on-loan. They had an option for 20m (Euros and not GBP though, I think) and they're not taking it up. Unless new manager Eric ten Haag has other ideas.

He might have his uses in cup football next season. Wouldn't be rushing him out the door on a stupid deal, backup to Rogers? Leverkusen seemed a bit of a pipe dream really in terms of a permanent move. Hopefully he got a bit fitter anyway.

Sure we won't know what we are at really until end of June, see who has to be sacrificed to keep us PSR compliant and as a former manager said - we go again. What other clubs are likely to be up for a bit of Dobbin type shenanigans next month?

[Drummond]

Maybe every time we lose we should sell the whole squad.

[ozzjim]

Maybe every time we lose we should sell the whole squad.

We're still in full meltdown mode.

[Ian.]

Maybe every time we lose we should sell the whole squad.

It’s the only answer.

[Dante Lavelli]

Digne, Mings, Barkley big decisions required - they only have 12 months left on their deals. Mings,

Digne - Keep if he accepts a longer deal on a reduced wage.  If that happens, sell Jnr.
Mings - Essential that he is kept (file with McGinn).  They might not play every week but they’re the heartbeat of the squad.
Barkley - Let him leave for a nominal fee (Sunderland would be ideal). Barenechea can be integrated, playing in the Europa and allowing Tielemans to play further forward (which reduces the need for a new Ten).

[astonvilla82]

Maybe every time we lose we should sell the whole squad.

We're still in full meltdown mode.

How much can we get for the tea lady, plus get rid of the stewards,all they do is stand around all day

[ozzjim]

On Mings. For me he starts the palace and the United game, the results are different. Emery's reluctance to use him down the stretch is my one criticism of him.

[brontebilly]

Digne, Mings, Barkley big decisions required - they only have 12 months left on their deals. Mings,

Digne - Keep if he accepts a longer deal on a reduced wage.  If that happens, sell Jnr.
Mings - Essential that he is kept (file with McGinn).  They might not play every week but they’re the heartbeat of the squad.
Barkley - Let him leave for a nominal fee (Sunderland would be ideal). Barenechea can be integrated, playing in the Europa and allowing Tielemans to play further forward (which reduces the need for a new Ten).

Tielemans has been excellent playing in the two but it's the same reason Id get Luiz back. Gives the option of playing Tielemans further forward.

Barkley has done ok but if Tielemans got injured I think we would soon have a problem in midfield.

[AV84]

I thought Barkley was our best signing of the summer. He was a great asset to the team until his injury. Pretty sure he won us quite a few points too. He's obviously not a weekly starter but I'd keep him over Iling-Junior, who hasn't looked impressive at either of his loan clubs.

[Tuscans]

I thought Barkley was our best signing of the summer. He was a great asset to the team until his injury. Pretty sure he won us quite a few points too. He's obviously not a weekly starter but I'd keep him over Iling-Junior, who hasn't looked impressive at either of his loan clubs.

Amazing opinions aren't they because I think Barkley is absolute gash! Plays like an 85 yr old, slow, ponders then stutters on the ball usually losing it.

[Tuscans]

🚨 Aston Villa have enquired about RC Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui.
@MohamedTERParis

[john2710]

We need to raise some revenue to cover the loss of Champions League football, cut wages & still leave us competitive for next season.

We'll sell high earners like Martinez, Digne, Bailey, Mings & maybe even Kamara or most likely Ramsey will go to Newcastle. Squad players like Bogarde, Barkley & Buendia will be gone too.

However we do it, we need to avoid being in the same position again of having to sell a top player for less than he's worth next June.

[ASHTONVILLA]

Players that I think we would rather keep but may be sold to raise money / reduce the wage bill are:

Martinez - Looks like he is off, and good as he has been I do think we can find a decent replacement. I wont miss his gamesmanship and yellow cards for time wasting, but he has been a superb signing for us. Think we raise about £45m for him.

Digne - I'd like us to keep him, but we tried to flog him last two summer windows so Emery obviously has different ideas. I assume it is the wages we want gone, as he has been very good and has a great attitude as well. Think we will get £10m for him.

Bailey - One of my favourite players when on form, but he is not playing and would fetch good money still. £20m.

Cash - Solid enough player, but one that could be upgraded. Do not think we would have any problems selling him to a mid table Premier League club for £15m.

Watkins -  He wont be happy at being benched for Rashford, and has always been a bit sulky with any competition and I think he will be off to Arsenal who are desperate for a striker. Good as he has been, he does have his limitations. Can't really play with a second striker, rarely scores any from outside the box, misses a lot of good chances. This window is the last one where we can still fetch top dollar for him, and can see us going for a bid of >£50m

I don't think all will go, but 2-3 of them will, and that will more than sort out any FFP issues and the wage bill issue with UEFA. I suspect this would be on the cards even had we made the final Champions League slot. The squad needs freshening up.

Other than that I think we will trade / loan out fringe players like Dendoncker, Buendia, Coutinho, Kesler Hayden, Moreno, Nedjelkovic, Dobbin, none of whom are likely to ever trouble the first team should they come back.

I think Barrenechia, Illing Jr, Bogarde, and Barry will all be assessed pre season and some will be integrated into the squad and get game time this season.

Can't see McGinn, Barkley, Konsa or Mings being sold, they bring character, leadership and experience to the squad and all reliable players.

The team will built around Rogers, Ramsey, Tielemans, Torres and Kamara. I hope that we see a lot more from Maatsen, Malen and Onana next season as all have been a little underutilised considering their fees. However players often get a long bedding in period under Emery, so would not be a surprise if they lifted their game a lot next season like Tielemans did this season.

That leaves us looking to buy 1-2 centre backs, a right back, two strikers (if Watkins goes), 2 Goalkeepers (if Martinez goes), and a right winger (if Bailey goes).

For sure I can see some of those being Bosmans, something the club has done well with in recent years. Jonathon David and Kyle Walker Peters would both be decent additions for instance. Think we will sign Rashford if he will accept a longer contract on lower wages. Think we will sign Asensio too. Possible we sign Disassi to compete with Konsa maybe in a player swap.

We will have the young Turkish player joining the squad, and possibly also Nypan, both of whom are highly rated. Can see a few curve balls, and some bids for fringe players at big European clubs (Emery seems confident in his ability to rehabilitate players like Rashford and Asensio). I expect the annual Felix saga to continue again as well.

I am not too worried about the mooted departures, our recruitment has been good in recent years and Emery has the knack of improving players that come in. We really did not miss Luiz who has bombed at Juventus whilst Tielemans has stepped up to replace him. He is very good with Strikers, so if Watkins does go I do think whatever players come in will flourish. Martinez is the difficult one, we will not be able to get as good a replacement but will get a decent enough player hopefully.

Exciting close season ahead.

As an aside - think we will win the Europa League, and do better in the league next time out (top three). Would rather win the Europa League than do well in but not win the Champions League anyway. Also would not surprise me if we didn't make Champions League anyway when Man City finally get their punishment.