Summer Transfer Window 2025 Thread

[PeregrineT]

As far as I see, we have 12 under contract for next season, and I think we retain Gana and Alcaraz, giving us 14. Then we get a backup keeper, so 15.

Id have to imagine then we target 2 full backs, 1 CB, 3 attackers, and 1 midfielder. Probably a loan, probably a free signing, which means we would need to only pay fees for 5 outfield players to get to a squad of 22. We will have more than enough funds and ability to do that.

 

[catcherintherye]

Again not sure i would - would he be in that group undisputedly to build a team around - not sure he is.

Negotiable IMO mate.

Is he more negotiable than Alcaraz?

 

[Neiler]

Is he more negotiable than Alcaraz?

Yes in my opinion.

My reasoning is this, is Jake an automatic starter next season, not sure, if we sign a right full, keep Branthwaite and JT, he’s fighting for his place.

I’m not saying sell Jake - what I’m saying is keystones of quality we build a team around and set a baseline are Pickford, Branthwaite, Illy and Alcaraz. Everyone else is negotiable.

Alcaraz is too influential in changing games, he’s a non negotiable for me, even if he’s starting on the bench at the mo. I think he is for that very reason.

Everyone else is negotiable - as per Jake.

 

[catcherintherye]

Yes in my opinion.

My reasoning is this, is Jake an automatic starter next season, not sure, if we sign a right full, keep Branthwaite and JT, he’s fighting for his place.

I’m not saying sell Jake - what I’m saying is keystones of quality we build a team around and set a baseline are Pickford, Branthwaite, Illy and Alcaraz. Everyone else is negotiable.

Alcaraz is too influential in changing games, he’s a non negotiable for me, even if he’s starting on the bench at the mo. I think he is for that very reason.

Everyone else is negotiable - as per Jake.

If we sign other players though, would the same points apply to Alcaraz?

 

[Neiler]

If we sign other players though, would the same points apply to Alcaraz?

If they are better, sure, but I’d have my doubts we could attract that - in that position and I think hes too influential not to be in the team eventually, we all see the baseline quality and ability in transition, teams been crying out for someone who can enable that transition for half a decade. We’ve made a significant decision on Doucoure as a result - that’s a big shape of intent to drop in my opinion.

Counter point as above - would we let JT go next year to accommodate Jake, don’t think we would. Would we even drop JT for him. I think if we sign a clutch right full next season, Jake would be in a tough fight for mins.

So he doesn’t make my keystone list.

 

[catcherintherye]

If they are better, sure, but I’d have my doubts we could attract that - in that position and I think hes too influential not to be in the team eventually, we all see the baseline quality and ability in transition, teams been crying out for someone who can enable that transition for half a decade. We’ve made a significant decision on Doucoure as a result - that’s a big shape of intent to drop in my opinion.

Counter point as above - would we let JT go next year to accommodate Jake, don’t think we would. Would we even drop JT for him. I think if we sign a clutch right full next season, Jake would be in a tough fight for mins.

So he doesn’t make my keystone list.

Yes very fair. I think he is unfortunate that he is playing in our strongest position really.

It's a reasonable list though, and pragmatically how we have to look at people moving forwards.

I also think, while it's right to tie Brainthwaite down, if we get a "crazy" offer, we should sell.

 

[Neiler]

Yes very fair. I think he is unfortunate that he is playing in our strongest position really.

It's a reasonable list though, and pragmatically how we have to look at people moving forwards.

I also think, while it's right to tie Brainthwaite down, if we get a "crazy" offer, we should sell.

I think your aim has to be making your better players fringe players mate. Remember when Yobo came here on loan, won player of the year, we all thought he was amazing and thought we’d never sign him that summer, by the end of his career here he couldn’t make team and we farmed him off to Turkey.

The four keystone I mentioned, Pickford, Branthwaite, Ily, and Charly - there is a high quality 4 out 11 to build on and with - I think they are making almost all teams in this league - it’s a very good starting point.

To improve I think we may have to be ruthless at times on negotiable players.

For example if we have PSR work to do before July the most likely candidates would be a surprising sale of one of Myko, McNeill, Patterson, Beto and Garner. That’s if Branthwaite doesn’t leave as you say.

 

[Goat]

As far as I see, we have 12 under contract for next season, and I think we retain Gana and Alcaraz, giving us 14. Then we get a backup keeper, so 15.

Id have to imagine then we target 2 full backs, 1 CB, 3 attackers, and 1 midfielder. Probably a loan, probably a free signing, which means we would need to only pay fees for 5 outfield players to get to a squad of 22. We will have more than enough funds and ability to do that.

I think we need a vastly bigger squad than 22 players.

We need to name 20 for every PL game.

I suppose theres the thinking that youth players can pick up the slack, that seems very unlikely to me, I dont think we have a wealth of players ready to step into the first time squad, not yet.

So for me, 14 players, we need 11 or 12.

Underage players dont need to be named.

 

[catcherintherye]

I think your aim has to be making your better players fringe players mate. Remember when Yobo came here on loan, won player of the year, we all thought he was amazing and thought we’d never sign him that summer, by the end of his career here he couldn’t make team and we farmed him off to Turkey.

The four keystone I mentioned, Pickford, Branthwaite, Ily, and Charly - there is a high quality 4 out 11 to build in and with - I think they are making almost all teams in this league - it’s a very good starting point.

To improve I think we may have to be ruthless at times on negotiable players.

For example if we have PSR work to do before July the most likely candidates would be a surprising sale of one of Myko, McNeill, Patterson, Beto and Garner. That’s if Branthwaite doesn’t leave as you say.

My view would be we won't need to do that. For a variety of reasons. But in that scenario, yes.

And I agree more broadly. We should aim to buy better players. I think OBrien has a lot of potential for growth though.

 

[windymiller]

I think we need a vastly bigger squad than 22 players.

We need to name 20 for every PL game.

I suppose theres the thinking that youth players can pick up the slack, that seems very unlikely to me, I dont think we have a wealth of players ready to step into the first time squad, not yet.

So for me, 14 players, we need 11 or 12.

Underage players dont need to be named.

Armstrong maybe but I don't see many others.

 

[Goat]

Armstrong maybe but I don't see many others.

Armstrong, the boy Sheriff, the young lad from Ireland, maybe, for sure.

 

[Neiler]

My view would be we won't need to do that. For a variety of reasons. But in that scenario, yes.

And I agree more broadly. We should aim to buy better players. I think OBrien has a lot of potential for growth though.

Personally think we’ve a sale to make before being PSR compliant this FY, but would be happy to be wrong on that mate.

On Jake I still think he has a lot to learn developmentally at centre half, he’s having fun at right back, he’s a good footballer, he likes to get forward and he’s almost impossible to pass from the flank. At centre half he’s prone to getting up the field and or a ball over the top - it’s development stuff - it will come. What he’s doing at the moment is god stuff, but I still think he’s very young in PL terms….8 games in and whatever he did in Palace. He’s doing fine but he still needs developing first centre half imo.

 

[windymiller]

Armstrong, the boy Sheriff, the young lad from Ireland, maybe, for sure.

Maybe, not loads of lads coming through, though.

 

[mikel_88]

Link to this lad withnh other prem teams

 

[knowing your history]

For anyone wanting to find a highly rated gem from the lower leagues have a watch of PNE-Villa and look at how Lewis Gibson gets on.

He's been very good for Preston since joining in January (and was a big part of Plymouth's rise from mid table league one to staying up in the championship).

Feels like a classic Moyes signing even without growing up here so given Preston signed him for 1.5m he's not going to cost a huge amount and think he'd be a good Keane replacement.

Not sure how rated he was by posters on here when he was in the youths/reserves but looks fine at championship level and I think he can step up to the prem eventually.