Winter 25-26 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Somniloquism]

Less then seven weeks before this opens so might as well start a new one and have Londonvilla traipsing the rumour depths of the internet and boost tuscans post count. Also the first transfer window without Monchi/ with Olabe so will we be changing tactics and buying players who can fit straight in more. Do we still have to be cash-positive in the market for Europe this window? Will we remember we can only make three changes in the Euro squad this window (two if you include Barkley going back in on a permanent basis for the second half of the window).

Key areas to strengthen is central defence, the ever present right back and a forward if Ollie doesn't improve.

Anyway

Real Madrid are considering offers in the region of 20m euros (£17.69m) - from Sunderland, Aston Villa and Wolves for 21-year-old Spanish forward Gonzalo Garcia. (Fichajes)

[algy]

Real Madrid are considering offers in the region of 20m euros (£17.69m) - from Sunderland, Aston Villa and Wolves for 21-year-old Spanish forward Gonzalo Garcia. (Fichajes)

Looked him up on Wikipedia.  Is he not a bit old?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonsalo_Garcia

[paul_e]

Less then seven weeks before this opens so might as well start a new one and have Londonvilla traipsing the rumour depths of the internet and boost tuscans post count. Also the first transfer window without Monchi/ with Olabe so will we be changing tactics and buying players who can fit straight in more. Do we still have to be cash-positive in the market for Europe this window? Will we remember we can only make three changes in the Euro squad this window (two if you include Barkley going back in on a permanent basis for the second half of the window).

Key areas to strengthen is central defence, the ever present right back and a forward if Ollie doesn't improve.

Anyway

Real Madrid are considering offers in the region of 20m euros (£17.69m) - from Sunderland, Aston Villa and Wolves for 21-year-old Spanish forward Gonzalo Garcia. (Fichajes)

The restriction still applies for this window but so long as we are within the targets at the end of 2025 we will shift to the 'normal' rules for next summer.

As such I can see it being a fairly quiet window and I'm ok with that because I don't see many gaps.

Keeper - Strong
RB - Depends on Garcia fitness
LB - Strong
CB - Depends on Mings fitness
DM - Very Strong
LM - Strong
RM - Guessand and Elliott have work to do
10 - Strong
ST - Watkins form may become an issue

I'm not too worried about either Garcia or Mings so I don't think we need to be looking to add defenders, We do need a long-term replacement for Mings in the summer though, maybe that can be Ozcan coming back though. I'm happy to give Guessand time and if Ellliott is wanted long term then he needs that as well, they're both cover right now anyway so it's not urgent. Which all means that someone to support Watkins and Malen is probably the most likely incoming. Gonzalo Garcia looks quality for that price and he's another one who sort of plays all across the front rather than an out and out centre forward, which I like.

[Villatillidie25]

I think if Elliot goes back to Liverpool there will be activity. Otherwise it’ll be quiet. Maybe one or two youngsters but not much more than that.

[Dave]

I think if Elliot goes back to Liverpool there will be activity. Otherwise it’ll be quiet. Maybe one or two youngsters but not much more than that.

Unless they plan on using him (and the probably wouldn't have punted him out to us if they did) is there any reason they would want him back?

[LeeB]

I think if Elliot goes back to Liverpool there will be activity. Otherwise it’ll be quiet. Maybe one or two youngsters but not much more than that.

Unless they plan on using him (and the probably wouldn't have punted him out to us if they did) is there any reason they would want him back?

Maybe a hint of protecting his value as additional cover, in as much as he might as well go back if we're not going to consider playing him, but otherwise no.

I will say it's a shit situation for the player to find himself at his age, and it doesn't reflect very well on those that set the deal up.

[Mellin]

Still have two massive holes at right wing and centre forward. Look to the loan market, if we can afford the wages, to fill the gaps and then fill them effectively if/when we can spend in the summer.

We're 100% bang on everywhere else.

[Dave]

As such I can see it being a fairly quiet window and I'm ok with that because I don't see many gaps.

Agree Paul. If we are spending money, I think it should be with the longer-term aim of reducing the age of the squad. If there is a new Duran out there get him in and give him those 15 minutes run-arounds like we did in January '23.

Or if there is a brilliant young goalkeeper somewhere playing at a decent level, sign him and loan him back with the idea of him and Proctor fighting to be #1 in a few years or to plausibly come in if Emi moves.

[Rigadon]

We need more options up front. If we can magic a couple of top quality loans liner did last winter, that would be great.

[Sexual Ealing]

Is the form of Watkins not a problem already?

[Mellin]

Yes.

[cdbearsfan]

Players should be tricksy, sexy and full of goals. Ideally they should also be from exciting countries where we haven't had players from before.

[Drummond]

If we sign someone, then they are either good enough for our Europa squad, in which case there will be existing players who have their nose put out of joint when they're dropped from it, or not good enough, which will be pointless.

On the first point, we'll already be in that situation when Mings comes back fit, as someone will need to make way.

[cdbearsfan]

Who are the Europa League versions of Asensio and Rashford, that we might be able to attract?

[Sexual Ealing]

Andy Carroll and Tim Cahill.