Summer 26 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Smithy]

Tariq Lamptey has had his contract cancelled by Fiorentina and is a free agent. Doesn’t seem to have recovered fitness after an ACL.

That's shocking.  He did his cruciate in his first game after signing for them, didn't he? The fact they're cancelling his contract must mean the injury is so bad they don't think they'll get any sort of return from him?  Given the advances in modern medicine, I've always assumed that any ACL these days is just a matter "when" they return, rather than "if". 

It would be a shame for the lad if that's his career done, but he wouldn't be the first.

[Ads]

I think we need:

Number 10 and a wide forward with pace who can come into the starting XI.

I'd be wanting two midfielders as well, likely younger but with a profile of sorts that let's us keep the style we have with McGinn and Onana/Kamara out the side. A left side centre half too.

Quite a few I'd trim, but if we could get 5 in: 2 first team, 3 for the squad, I think we'd have another excellent season.

[Drummond]

I'd have Summerville and Wan Bissaka from West Ham if they go.

[Tuscans]

 NEW: Aston Villa are keeping a very close eye on Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli (24).
@manu_colchon
@deportesDDS

[LeeS]

I'd have Summerville and Wan Bissaka from West Ham if they go.

Not sure on Summerville. Had one purple patch in his career and that ended months ago. I guess players have had big moves for less.

[KevinGage]

Would prob opt for him over Harry Wilson.

But would pref an upgrade on both TBH.

Summerville would at least give us the pace we so badly lack in the final third.

[Somniloquism]

FootyInsider is selling Tielemans for us.

On other clubs, Teamtalk are saying Forest's Pereira might be replaced by Silva from Fulham

[algy]

I don't think the summer overhaul needed is quite as major as is being made out.  At the end of the day, the squad we have now has qualified for Europe 4 seasons out of 4 under Emery. Champions League at least once, hopefully twice, a Conference League semi-final, and Europa League final (hopefully winners).  We're a good side.

Plus, it's perfectly normal for players to be still playing at a top level through to their mid 30s (34-36), so players like Matty Cash or Ezri Konsa - both 28 years old - will have a few more seasons in them before we have to seriously consider replacing them.  Most of the players hitting that mid 30s range are squad players, so replacing them with younger models (which I assume is what Olabe has been brought in to do) is the right thing to do as far as I'm concerned.  Get in younger players who will be happy as Champions League squad players with the longer term aim of transitioning them in to first team regulars, whilst the current (older) first team players drop to more of a 'squad player' status.