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

[eamonn]

He randomly popped up on a social media video-short the other day and had only good things to say about the Villa but then we made him a millionaire (again), so why wouldn't he?

[CT Villan]

It's funny, Hourihane performed to a similar level and was anonymous in games too, however I have fond memories of Conor, yet I only remember Angela as a failure. Am I fickle ?

[cdbearsfan]

Hourihane's worst games were as good as Lansbury's best, and he had a handy habit of twatting one in from about thirty yards, too.

[paul_e]

Hourihane sometimes struggled to have an impact but he worked hard and made the most of his ability, not at all the same.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Wasn't it Lansbury that scored against Palace, only for ref to call it back and book Grealish for diving? Kevin Friend I think.

[paul_e]

Wasn't it Lansbury that scored against Palace, only for ref to call it back and book Grealish for diving? Kevin Friend I think.

Yep, but even worse he blew the whistle after he'd shot but before the ball was in the net so it couldn't even be reviewed.

[Mister E]

Wasn't it Lansbury that scored against Palace, only for ref to call it back and book Grealish for diving? Kevin Friend I think.

Yep, but even worse he blew the whistle after he'd shot but before the ball was in the net so it couldn't even be reviewed.

one of the worst examples where I actually think the ref cheated - and I rarely say that. 'Cheat' is strong: rather, I think the ref was so instantly convinced that Grealish had dived that he was determined not to allow it to go to review.
The review showed a clear and obvious error.

[brontebilly]

It's funny, Hourihane performed to a similar level and was anonymous in games too, however I have fond memories of Conor, yet I only remember Angela as a failure. Am I fickle ?

No, Lansbury was utterly useless. Talented but allergic to graft.

[eamonn]

Conor scored a host of important goals for us, Lansbury did jack-shit. Why would you be fickle?

[mrfuse]

Don't think Wilson is good enough for us to be honest. He's a talented player for sure finally delivering on his potential. But the next McGinn? That's who we need to find.

Buendia, Bailey, Barkley out of contract in 2027, hoping Bailey rediscovers his form obviously, but we have decisions to make there. Hopefully with CL qualification in the bag. Lindelof, Mings, Bizot deals also up that summer.

I like Gibbs-White, Ampadu, Luiz back permanently.

Signing players like Wilson for £20-30m less than market value on a free, who can cover many postions for us and add something means we might have the funds elsewhere to actually replace McGinn.

Similar deals for Tielemans and Lindeloff have been absolutely crucial for us.

Completely agree. I cant believe people are turning their noses up at a free player that is better than Buendia and Barkley.

If the signing doesn't work, they are never really free. Micah Richards as just one example. Wilson is going to want a big contract after a great season with Fulham and with no transfer fee.  Not sure Wilson is that busy midfielder, mini McGinn, on the right flank. Buendia has been that pretty much all season on the other flank. Better than Bailey, Barkley, Elliot, Sancho or Guessand isn't much of a bar let's be honest.

I'm
Micah Richards signing for Tim Sherwood's Villa is a galaxy removed from anyone signing for us now, and it says a lot that you're going that far back for an example of a poor free signing given the postives listed above.

There aren't really many others? Lindelof, Kamara, Tielemans - Callum Chambers?

Wilson is a good player don't get me wrong, available on a "free" makes him PSR attractive, but I think a bit like Elliot we might struggle to fit him in.

But were not struggling to fit Elliot in. The only reason that Emery will not play him is that he obviously didn't really want him at the price listed or things changed that wouldn't allow him to play him. If Elliot was a free player I've no doubt he would be playing regularly perhaps not a starter but no doubt as an impact player and this is what we would be doing with Wilson.

If the wages are not to large and Wilson wants to improve his game then its a no brainer.