Summer Transfer Window 2025 Thread

[Neiler]

Watkins has actually been very ordinary this season according to the Villa fans I work with

Think that might be like the time loads were calling Rom lazy on here mate.

 

[MACCA75]

I think this is why its worth a discussion. I for one do always ask if its possible for us to get to the door prior to inflation of prices, say where Ipswich was a year ago with Delap. Scouting networks suggesting names before single season showings escalate a players price tenfold would be nice. That said his clause does make him relative to market rate and because of that makes him an interesting target.

Because of the clause it comes down to situation and what he wants. If he wants to have more guaranteed minutes and to really establish himself before making a big jump up table we provide an interesting proposition. If he is seeking europe and thinks he can break into such sides already I for one think he's wrong on that calculation but we don't have a seat at the table.

To me regrettably I think the side that makes a lot of sense is Newcastle if they sell Isak. They split the difference in terms of immediate expectations but also with massive potential for himself longterm.

I’m pretty sure they won’t be selling Isak, let alone replacing him with Delap.

 

[blueconverse]

We could get Ferguson on loan next season as its not happening at West Ham for him. Deffo a player in there and if Broja goes back think he would be a better alternative. Need another proven one as well like

 

[carolinablue232]

Hmmmmm

Just saying things with no actual evidence is also pretty dangerous.

I'd argue his touch isnt the best, he's been playing for 4 years now, while improving, he's had long long spells were he hasn't managed to score regularly

I compared it to Calvert Lewin earlier, he had a brilliant 18 months, looked absolutely unstoppable in some aspects of his game, than fell off a cliff, see the same for Solanke who had his purple patch for a similar amount of time Bournemouth and early of at Spurs

Callum Wilson is another one, Bamford got 17 goals in 20/21 for Leeds too

The only striker that has kept it up really is Watkins & Vardy, who both have one thing that Delap, DCL, Bamford & Solanke don't.....explosive pace

What do you mean there’s no evidence? The evidence is in watching him play. He’s 22 and producing on and off the ball for a relegation bound side. That’s really difficult to do as a striker. Fun part here is we get the next 5 years to see who is actually right.

 

[mikel_88]

 

[Naylor56]

Delap for me would be a good signing. I don’t care if he has had only one good season. When I have watched him he looks like a good old fashioned forward, gives it his all with better qualities then all of our current strikers.

Sod this all about purple patches, look at Torres and shechenko both fantastic strikers but when transferred between teams were garbage.

 

[toffee82]

They play wider than the midders. A smidge behind the fronters.

Keepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers.
Why not widers?

Cos it just sounds wrong!!!

 

[Dddddd]

We could get Ferguson on loan next season as its not happening at West Ham for him. Deffo a player in there and if Broja goes back think he would be a better alternative. Need another proven one as well like

Just don’t see him ever making it

Career seems to be on a downward trajectory and rumours about his lifestyle

 

[N0L1M1TK]

Think he’s got a good chance of going right to the top, there will be some real big teams after him this summer, if by some minor miracle we managed to get him if would send a massive message of intent out to the rest.

 

[knowing your history]

Would love someone like Semenyo, destroying Antonee Robinson which isn't an easy thing to do.

Pretty much every single team in the top half has that rapid wide player so has to be number one on the transfer targets imo.

 

[Exeter_Gently]

Would love someone like Semenyo, destroying Antonee Robinson which isn't an easy thing to do.

Pretty much every single team in the top half has that rapid wide player so has to be number one on the transfer targets imo.

You can only admire Bournemouth.

They've really kicked on though great recruitment over such a short space of time.

 

[carolinablue232]

Think he’s got a good chance of going right to the top, there will be some real big teams after him this summer, if by some minor miracle we managed to get him if would send a massive message of intent out to the rest.

Is he actually ready to play at this level or would it be a sign and loan situation? Big ask for a 17 or 18 year old.

 

[Tipp blue]

They play wider than the midders. A smidge behind the fronters.

But well in front of the backers?

 

[Raino85]

I think some of your comparisons are a bit unfair there and you could add plenty of nuance to some of those cases if you wanted to.

I would actually say the biggest factor in all those strikers you mentioned (apart from maybe Vardy) is that the manager they are playing under and the tactics their teams employ have a huge influence on their output. All those you mentioned have had their best output playing under top managers. DCL under Carlo, Solanke under Iraola, Bamford under Bielsa. Up until Emery came Watkins' PL output was not a great deal better than Delap's this season.

They've then fallen off when playing under bum managers (Ange, Dyche, Benitez, Marsch etc)

Delap is younger than all of those when they had their good patches too

MCKenna seems an excellent manager who got George Hirst scoring goals.

Amorin or Ange wouldnt do that

 

[Raino85]

What do you mean there’s no evidence? The evidence is in watching him play. He’s 22 and producing on and off the ball for a relegation bound side. That’s really difficult to do as a striker. Fun part here is we get the next 5 years to see who is actually right.

Whats being 22 got to do with anything?