Summer 2025 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[LeeB]

'Rayan' sounds at least a bit exotic but in general it seems the standard of Brazillian wonderkid names have dropped significantly in recent years, I'm half expecting to be linked to Trevorinho or Wayneberto.

We'll struggle to get a less exotic name than Wesley. Imagine being a centre-forward from the samba nation and being named after the shittest one on Star Trek.

We had a fucking 'Doug'!

[cdbearsfan]

He wasn't our worst Doug...

[Somniloquism]

Might be just me but his highlights package mostly consisted of mistakes by the opposition.

[Tuscans]

🚨 Aston Villa are interested in Eyüpspor goalkeeper Berke Özer.

[Dave]

Should probably them loan him to a Yorkshire club for a bit so he feels at home.

[jwarry]

🚨 Aston Villa are interested in Eyüpspor goalkeeper Berke Özer.

We seems to be shopping in Türkiye a lot

[cdbearsfan]

I liked it, Dave.

[ChicagoLion]

Should probably them loan him to a Yorkshire club for a bit so he feels at home.

Rotherham would seem apt.

[Mellin]

Was reading some stuff in other threads and got me thinking about squad planning for next season. If I had any say, and these weren't just the bored ramblings of a middle-aged man whose missus has inexplicably gone to Wembley today, I would be trying for something like:

Martinez/Gauci

Cash/Garcia
Konsa/Disasi
Mings/Torres
Digne/Maatsen

Kamara/Onana
Tielemans/Barkley

Malen/Madueke
Rogers/Asensio
Ramsey/McGinn

Watkins/Delap

I don't mind Olsen as a back up, but wages. Rashford's going to be too expensive for us with stories coming out about PSR. Bailey is done here. Disasi depends on fee and wages. If too high, find an alternative. I've stuck McGinn on the left, but he's obviously interchangeable elsewhere and Rogers can play left, so doesn't expose us. Delap has a relegation release fee and we should be prioritising him imo. Young, hungry and quality. Madueke has been linked and I can't think of anyone else. What's Bert up to?

We're not too far away tbf. Wages freed up, provided we can shift them:

Rashford
Dendonker
Coutinho
Bailey
Moreno
Nedeljkovic
Illing-Junior
Barrenechea (preferable to Barkley due to age, but think he wants to stay in Valencia)
Buendia
Dobbin

Keep Bogarde, Kesler-Hayden and Barry around maybe.

[Mister E]

Was reading some stuff in other threads and got me thinking about squad planning for next season ...
... Keep Bogarde, Kesler-Hayden and Barry around maybe.

I agree with most of what you say but I'd definitely keep Barrenechea: we've learned this season that midfield injuries are damaging, and if we have Euro-involvement next season the pressure would grow.
I'd add that if PSR / FFP is still a thing, Kamara might have to go. Bogarde and Barrenechea would become viable alternatives.

[Mellin]

Yeah, I wouldn't mind keeping Barrenechea at all. Don't sell Kamara though. For the love of God.

Also, more importantly, I've gone big on middle-aged there. I'm 37. Still hanging on, or am I in that bracket?

[PaulWinch again]

I like Bogarde as a prospect but the idea of him being a viable alternative to Kamara is insane. I don’t know about Enzo, but I’d be amazed if he’s near the level of Bouba.

[ChicagoLion]

Yeah, I wouldn't mind keeping Barrenechea at all. Don't sell Kamara though. For the love of God.

Also, more importantly, I've gone big on middle-aged there. I'm 37. Still hanging on, or am I in that bracket?

If your life expectancy is 74 then you are middle aged, also grounds for divorce, make sure you the bath or shower is ready for when she returns.

[Mellin]

Picking her up from her dad's later. Might detour back through the car wash with the passenger window open.

[Mister E]

I like Bogarde as a prospect but the idea of him being a viable alternative to Kamara is insane. I don’t know about Enzo, but I’d be amazed if he’s near the level of Bouba.

I'm not trying to sell Kamara but he might be the sacrificial lamb at the altar of PSR / FFP.
Bogarde and Barrenechea are not replacements for Kamara but they are credible DMF players.