May as well get going with this since with Sullivan at the helm, season ticket renewals slow, and the football vacuum to commence, this will soon be all the "news" there is.
Can Potter and MacCauley pull multiple rabbits out of the hat, or will Sullivan 'try really hard' with all of them before grabbing a few aging bargains from Big Willie Salthouse?
Window this close season comes in two parts:
Part 1: 1st June to 10th June
Part 2: 16th June to 1st September
Hammer I am" wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 08:58
Xavi Simons to Spurs for £50 mill so I guess thats final confirmation paq not going anywhere
Mad Ferret" wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 07:32
Sp*rs sign Xavi Simons for £60m.
What a signing btw, and typical that they’d push on after winning the Europa last year, whereas we went backwards after winning the Conference.
Already posted mate
They are so far ahead of us, it's laughable.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 09:03
by stubbo-admin
Alvarez must be over the moon this morning. Mourinho convinces him to go to Fener....and them promptly leaves.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 09:03
by Mex Martillo
I agree there has to be more money avaiable then we appear to have. However, read Alans Thursday news carefully, the womens team is valued at 55M and some USA group want to buy a 49% share so they would pay about 27M income, assuming the money goes to the club and not the present owners and you know who that cսnt is.
I have to disagree with aiming for expensive proven premier league players. They wont come and we cannot buy enough at the prices they would cost. It has to be lots of young raw tallent and build for the future. Most of all first step should be a director of football who can implement and execute a plan to get us callenging the top of the table. With our support and resources it really should not bs anything lower.
Lastly congratulations to Stubbo and team! I really feel WHO is a much better place, the abuse is less and the discussion is better. Number of posters I think hasn't changed much, but some right stupid cunts have fucked off and some others have reacted with less abuse and more posituve interactions. I like it.
Rossal wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 07:48
No issue with Paqueta going if he is replaced. But ideally we get a no 10 in to compete with him and create.
A right sided CB is more of a need than a left sided one IMO
Summerville and Ghillurme back soon hopefully
Then a half decent striker on loan wouldnt go a miss!
I never get why clubs in our position don't max out the loan market to fill out the squad. Get into Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City for some loans
Frankly in what Potter is trying to do he's been out only competent number 9 this season. And has scored two in the last 3. We'd be mad to sell him right now ...he and Bowen are the only good things currently in our squad.
When did we start to be sold on the idea as a fan base that we should sell our best players, and replace them with hopefuls.
For me the fans version of Paqueta and what you see on the pitch are two different things. His output for goals and assists is nowhere near what you would expect for how he is spoken about on here. Last week summed him up, fantastic goal, gets over confident and loses it cheaply to give away a goal (including standard claim of a foul after hitting the deck) then went hiding soon as we go behind.
Last two seasons don't think he has scored more than 2 non pen goals in the league, last season he didnt register a single assist. If we can get £60m or anywhere near it and get in someone like Harvey Elliot with that money its a no brainer. If he was Dutch or German people would slate him far more, being Brazilian seems to give you more leeway to lose the ball cheaply and be a no 10 that doesnt create much.
Even if he stays and we can get a new number 10 in I would say his place is under threat.
If he stays, he'll play most of this season at a false 9 role. He's better in that position for Potter than both Fullkrug and Wilson.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 09:00
by stubbo-admin
Hammer I am" wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 08:58
Xavi Simons to Spurs for £50 mill so I guess thats final confirmation paq not going anywhere
Apparently Villa wants him if they sell Rogers or someone else (think it's Rogers).
Not the Brazilian lad. Even a cursory glance at that reel tells you he generally wants too many tricksy touches, and too much time, that he just won't get in the Premier League. If he starts playing that way away at Villa, Tyrone Mings will kick him into the stands. And then limp off with another injury.
Not that it matters, as its a YouTube video, but I genuinely wonder who puts them together. Often, these reels exhibit aspects of a player's game that scouts would laugh at.
It's tricky though. In the 15m price bracket your not remotely expecting the finished article. Really that's about raw materials. He's a product if his current environment, and that affords him those luxuries.
But we need to sign players in this bracket who aren't already finished articles at their peak but have the ceiling to be class.
This lad is strong, quick, scores off both feet, and will have a climbing valuation. Aspects of his game of course would need to improve. But is he better raw material to come on off the bench than, say, Callum Marshall....almost certainly. Would he immediately be first choice? No.
In circumstances where we’re mid-table with points on the board, and with a better manager and first team, I’d say you’re right.
But right now, given where we are and everything going on, we need to spend our scarce resources on players who improve an already-terrible first team.
A big issue we’ve had for several seasons is brining in a LOT of players who are essentially squad fodder. We’re being thrashed every week at the moment. We need starting quality.
it’s hard to find, sure. And it’s more expensive. But, right now, we do not need more bench warmers. Unless we’re planning for the Championship.
Frankly we need both. We have a 32 year old first choice striker. We really need a 26/27 year old striker, and a 22/23 year old striker in the stable....one that pushes Fullkrug to the bench and one to be the different option.
It's what makes the signing of Callum Wilson so bad, beyond just it being Callum Wilson. We have that 'back end of career' player in the squad already.
A better stable would have been Fullkrug, Boniface (who's is young but with a body that is old), and George.
So I think we're both right....we need a player like George. We also need a player that is 27 and goes straight into the team.
Maybe you could argue if Potter stays, and Paqueta stays....Paqueta plays at 9 (and he's 28). So he's your oven ready first choice. Füllkrug at sub. And then you have a space for a young talent.
But there is no world where Callum Wilson AND Fullkrug is what we need in the squad. Should be one or the other.
Rossal wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 07:48
No issue with Paqueta going if he is replaced. But ideally we get a no 10 in to compete with him and create.
A right sided CB is more of a need than a left sided one IMO
Summerville and Ghillurme back soon hopefully
Then a half decent striker on loan wouldnt go a miss!
I never get why clubs in our position don't max out the loan market to fill out the squad. Get into Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City for some loans
Frankly in what Potter is trying to do he's been out only competent number 9 this season. And has scored two in the last 3. We'd be mad to sell him right now ...he and Bowen are the only good things currently in our squad.
When did we start to be sold on the idea as a fan base that we should sell our best players, and replace them with hopefuls.
For me the fans version of Paqueta and what you see on the pitch are two different things. His output for goals and assists is nowhere near what you would expect for how he is spoken about on here. Last week summed him up, fantastic goal, gets over confident and loses it cheaply to give away a goal (including standard claim of a foul after hitting the deck) then went hiding soon as we go behind.
Last two seasons don't think he has scored more than 2 non pen goals in the league, last season he didnt register a single assist. If we can get £60m or anywhere near it and get in someone like Harvey Elliot with that money its a no brainer. If he was Dutch or German people would slate him far more, being Brazilian seems to give you more leeway to lose the ball cheaply and be a no 10 that doesnt create much.
Even if he stays and we can get a new number 10 in I would say his place is under threat.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 08:58
by Hammer I am
Xavi Simons to Spurs for £50 mill so I guess thats final confirmation paq not going anywhere
Not the Brazilian lad. Even a cursory glance at that reel tells you he generally wants too many tricksy touches, and too much time, that he just won't get in the Premier League. If he starts playing that way away at Villa, Tyrone Mings will kick him into the stands. And then limp off with another injury.
Not that it matters, as its a YouTube video, but I genuinely wonder who puts them together. Often, these reels exhibit aspects of a player's game that scouts would laugh at.
It's tricky though. In the 15m price bracket your not remotely expecting the finished article. Really that's about raw materials. He's a product if his current environment, and that affords him those luxuries.
But we need to sign players in this bracket who aren't already finished articles at their peak but have the ceiling to be class.
This lad is strong, quick, scores off both feet, and will have a climbing valuation. Aspects of his game of course would need to improve. But is he better raw material to come on off the bench than, say, Callum Marshall....almost certainly. Would he immediately be first choice? No.
In circumstances where we’re mid-table with points on the board, and with a better manager and first team, I’d say you’re right.
But right now, given where we are and everything going on, we need to spend our scarce resources on players who improve an already-terrible first team.
A big issue we’ve had for several seasons is brining in a LOT of players who are essentially squad fodder. We’re being thrashed every week at the moment. We need starting quality.
it’s hard to find, sure. And it’s more expensive. But, right now, we do not need more bench warmers. Unless we’re planning for the Championship.
This is also what I’m mean about getting frustrated with managers who, despite the realities of their first team, are constantly looking for “projects”, development and long-term outcomes. The “you can’t judge me because I haven’t had enough time” crowd.
That’s the easiest mentality in the world. Great - if you’ve got the base to build on and enough money to get you through.
But we are staring down the barrel of a gun and, more than that, we need results - fast. Potter is not the sort of manager who can make order from chaos. Or scratch a result. He needs his clean slate, his football philosophy and his many months.
We needed a firefighter and problem solver at the time (not Big Sam!). We got another laptop manager who wants a clean slate and five seasons to take us on their “journey”. Most of whom fail. They just want a long, expensive contract.
Been offered to the club at 15m. Just received first Brazil squad selection. 6ft, strong like Aguero was. 23 years old.
Not the Brazilian lad. Even a cursory glance at that reel tells you he generally wants too many tricksy touches, and too much time, that he just won't get in the Premier League. If he starts playing that way away at Villa, Tyrone Mings will kick him into the stands. And then limp off with another injury.
Not that it matters, as its a YouTube video, but I genuinely wonder who puts them together. Often, these reels exhibit aspects of a player's game that scouts would laugh at.
It's tricky though. In the 15m price bracket your not remotely expecting the finished article. Really that's about raw materials. He's a product if his current environment, and that affords him those luxuries.
But we need to sign players in this bracket who aren't already finished articles at their peak but have the ceiling to be class.
This lad is strong, quick, scores off both feet, and will have a climbing valuation. Aspects of his game of course would need to improve. But is he better raw material to come on off the bench than, say, Callum Marshall....almost certainly. Would he immediately be first choice? No.
In circumstances where we’re mid-table with points on the board, and with a better manager and first team, I’d say you’re right.
But right now, given where we are and everything going on, we need to spend our scarce resources on players who improve an already-terrible first team.
A big issue we’ve had for several seasons is brining in a LOT of players who are essentially squad fodder. We’re being thrashed every week at the moment. We need starting quality.
it’s hard to find, sure. And it’s more expensive. But, right now, we do not need more bench warmers. Unless we’re planning for the Championship.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 08:42
by Lee Trundle
Green shoots of hope for this season with these 2 midfielders coming in.
However, on paper, we're signing a back up from a team in the French League, and a player who managed to shine in the second worst team in Premier League history.
Hopefully it's good enough not to get us relegated, because I still think we'll be down there fighting it out with those teams.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 08:42
by Mex Martillo
Agreed, Paqueta has scored a goal each game when he and most of the team are pretty crap says to me we should keep him. Although, Paqueta still isn't playing very well, but he is improving and signs are he will get back to at least how he was before the betting shit and when Man City wanted him .
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 08:38
by Fauxstralian
Some back of an envelope maths …
Understand we have sold half the women’s team for £55m. Add that to £55m for Kudus & maybe another £10m for Irving Cornet Rodriquez Emerson etc that’s £120m
If you spend £600m on players you expense a fifth each season
Given we’ve spent maybe £140m on Todibo Diouf Hermansen & seemingly Magassa & Fernandes we have about £460m up our sleeve. Right?
No need to sell Paqueta and can buy the third midfielder, a centre half or two plus striker or two
Expect a full price bid for Isak this morning
IM JOKING
I see Newcastle are signing the massive German Woltemade that everyone says was going to Bayern so I’d expect Isak to Liverpool will be back on
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 08:27
by stubbo-admin
Rossal wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 07:48
No issue with Paqueta going if he is replaced. But ideally we get a no 10 in to compete with him and create.
A right sided CB is more of a need than a left sided one IMO
Summerville and Ghillurme back soon hopefully
Then a half decent striker on loan wouldnt go a miss!
I never get why clubs in our position don't max out the loan market to fill out the squad. Get into Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City for some loans
Frankly in what Potter is trying to do he's been out only competent number 9 this season. And has scored two in the last 3. We'd be mad to sell him right now ...he and Bowen are the only good things currently in our squad.
When did we start to be sold on the idea as a fan base that we should sell our best players, and replace them with hopefuls.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 08:26
by Sir Alf
If Timber is all he’s cracked up to be and can replicate his form, creativity and goals in the Prem Lge, and its him OR Paqueta, then a 21 year old trumps a 28 year old for me. But a few IFs as always. Paqueta as a number 10 dows not work in the faster than ever Prem Lge. He needs to much time and while he protects the ball well in deeper positions, he is guilty of turnovers in most games and his lack of athleticism ( although quicker than snails JWP, Guido and Soucek) sees him second to a oot of second balls or ragdolled in duels and simply hitting the deck in physical challenges when he is basically not strong or quick enough.
Yes he can put in some nice sliderule passes or those little chips over the opposition defences and can score a goal or two when on form so whoever replaced him would have to have some of that but if say Timber is as good as reported in that sense his power and pace and ball carrying abilities ( reported I aint seen him and probably most fans rely on reports too ) then Paq Man can go. Lets be honest we aint getting a 3rd midfielder like Timber who is attack minded without lettimg Paqueta go for at least 30-40 million. Sullivan never gonna buy and build squad depth, its all about havimg a good ( or adequate ) first 11 only for him
Barty888 wrote: ↑28 Aug 2025, 20:25
Who do you want upfront?
Kaio George
Been offered to the club at 15m. Just received first Brazil squad selection. 6ft, strong like Aguero was. 23 years old.
Not the Brazilian lad. Even a cursory glance at that reel tells you he generally wants too many tricksy touches, and too much time, that he just won't get in the Premier League. If he starts playing that way away at Villa, Tyrone Mings will kick him into the stands. And then limp off with another injury.
Not that it matters, as its a YouTube video, but I genuinely wonder who puts them together. Often, these reels exhibit aspects of a player's game that scouts would laugh at.
It's tricky though. In the 15m price bracket your not remotely expecting the finished article. Really that's about raw materials. He's a product if his current environment, and that affords him those luxuries.
But we need to sign players in this bracket who aren't already finished articles at their peak but have the ceiling to be class.
This lad is strong, quick, scores off both feet, and will have a climbing valuation. Aspects of his game of course would need to improve. But is he better raw material to come on off the bench than, say, Callum Marshall....almost certainly. Would he immediately be first choice? No.
Rossal wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 07:48
No issue with Paqueta going if he is replaced. But ideally we get a no 10 in to compete with him and create.
A right sided CB is more of a need than a left sided one IMO
Summerville and Ghillurme back soon hopefully
Then a half decent striker on loan wouldnt go a miss!
I never get why clubs in our position don't max out the loan market to fill out the squad. Get into Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City for some loans
Because loans from Premier League clubs are generally expensive these days. You tend to pay a disproportionate loan fee for anybody decent, and teams are generally seeking to offload 100% (or close to it) of wages now that PSR is becoming a big sticking point for all clubs. So you end up loading up your own wage bill against PSR - for temporary players.
You can still get a decent deal, but it's a lot of work for a player who will be at the club for less than a year. Still reckon we should look at a few, though. Our position is precarious.
I disagree, the big clubs stockpile talent and they inflate their squads and the players want out to go and play. Therefore you get some decent quality players for a fraction of the cost.
As you say we are in a precarious position so filling out a few gaps with players from bigger clubs is a no brainer for me.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 08:01
by Mad Ferret
Loaning from other PL clubs seldom really benefits us.
Can only think of Lingard and Jenkinson (first season).
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 08:00
by onsideman
I see Sudakov is off to Benfica for half the fee that was mooted at the beginning of the window. Will be interesting to see how he gets on. I thought he was worth a punt... then again I was disappointed when we missed out on Patson Daka so wtfdik?
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 07:54
by southbankbornnbred
Rossal wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 07:48
No issue with Paqueta going if he is replaced. But ideally we get a no 10 in to compete with him and create.
A right sided CB is more of a need than a left sided one IMO
Summerville and Ghillurme back soon hopefully
Then a half decent striker on loan wouldnt go a miss!
I never get why clubs in our position don't max out the loan market to fill out the squad. Get into Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City for some loans
Because loans from Premier League clubs are generally expensive these days. You tend to pay a disproportionate loan fee for anybody decent, and teams are generally seeking to offload 100% (or close to it) of wages now that PSR is becoming a big sticking point for all clubs. So you end up loading up your own wage bill against PSR - for temporary players.
You can still get a decent deal, but it's a lot of work for a player who will be at the club for less than a year. Still reckon we should look at a few, though. Our position is precarious.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 07:48
by Rossal
No issue with Paqueta going if he is replaced. But ideally we get a no 10 in to compete with him and create.
A right sided CB is more of a need than a left sided one IMO
Summerville and Ghillurme back soon hopefully
Then a half decent striker on loan wouldnt go a miss!
I never get why clubs in our position don't max out the loan market to fill out the squad. Get into Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City for some loans
Barty888 wrote: ↑28 Aug 2025, 20:25
Who do you want upfront?
Kaio George
Been offered to the club at 15m. Just received first Brazil squad selection. 6ft, strong like Aguero was. 23 years old.
Not the Brazilian lad. Even a cursory glance at that reel tells you he generally wants too many tricksy touches, and too much time, that he just won't get in the Premier League. If he starts playing that way away at Villa, Tyrone Mings will kick him into the stands. And then limp off with another injury.
Not that it matters, as its a YouTube video, but I genuinely wonder who puts them together. Often, these reels exhibit aspects of a player's game that scouts would laugh at.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 07:32
by Mad Ferret
Sp*rs sign Xavi Simons for £60m.
What a signing btw, and typical that they’d push on after winning the Europa last year, whereas we went backwards after winning the Conference.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 06:51
by stubbo-admin
Barty888 wrote: ↑28 Aug 2025, 20:25
Who do you want upfront?
Kaio George
Been offered to the club at 15m. Just received first Brazil squad selection. 6ft, strong like Aguero was. 23 years old.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 00:15
by Gank
Mad Dog" wrote: ↑28 Aug 2025, 23:55
You'd think with the 3 day medicals we seem to give people they'd pick more of our injury prone signings.
Anyway im torn about paqueta going. On his day he is brilliant. But he loses the ball far too much and rolls around on the ground leaving us a player down. But we definitely need some sort of playmaker and that isnt jwp
I love Paqueta, because I'm trying to teach my kids why supporting West Ham who might never win a thing in their lifetime is a better option than supporting a team who are almost guaranteed to do so.
Agree that he needs to stop falling over waiting for a foul that won't come, but I can tolerate him giving the ball away so much because that's West Ham through and through, we'll always be that. Give the ball away 8 times, give away a goal, then score a world class one out of nothing.
