Transfer Window Summer 2025 Post Transfer Window Thread

[Carpy]

Transfers In/Out​

Player​	In/ Out​	Transfer Type​	Club​
Stuart Findlay​	​	Loan (Season)​	Hearts​
Ruben Rodrigues​	​	Permanent (w Fee)​	EC Vitoria​
Brian De Keersmaecker​	​	Permanent (w Fee)​	Heracles Almelo​
Idris El-Mizouni​	​	Permanent (w Fee)​	Leyton Orient​
Will Goodwin​	​	Loan (Season)​	Colchester​
Brodie Spencer​	​	Permanent (w Fee)​	Huddersfield​
Jordan Thorniley​	​	Loan (Season)​	Northampton Town​
Luke Harris​	​	Loan (Season)​	Fulham​
Nik Prelec​	​	Loan (Season w Option)​	Cagliari​
Will Lankshear​	​	Loan (Season)​	Tottenham​
James Golding​	​	Loan (Season)​	Crewe Alexandra​
Peter Kioso​	​	Loan (Season)​	Peterborough United​
Ben Davies​	​	Loan (Season)​	Rangers​
Filip Krastev​	​	Loan (Season)​	Lommel​
Elliott Moore​	​	Mutual Consent​	Free Agent​
Stephan Negru​	​	Loan (Season)​	Bristol Rovers​
Owen Dale​	​	Loan (Season)​	Plymouth​

 

[Foley]

That first half yesterday was the first time that I looked at our team and thought ‘yep, we’re championship now’

There were times towards the end of the half, when we had Leicester totally pinned in their own box, that we really looked like we belonged at this level.

It’s early days and the team still needs to gel. We also need to be fortunate and avoid injuries to key players but the signs are definitely promising.

One thing I found interesting was when Nathan mentioned that Bradshaw and Sibley didn’t even make the squad, GR said something about players not going out on loan meant he had to make tough decisions. Seemed to me confirmation that he would ideally have liked them to accept the offers that they received to go out and play elsewhere.

I would assume that he wanted a couple more out.
He has said that when there are injuries he would prefer youngsters on the bench

 

[HillBilly]

We're looking like a much stronger side.

Although there's maybe a lack of balance in the squad in places, the four starting players we signed over the summer (Davies, De Keersmaecker, Krastev and Lankshear) gave us exactly that yesterday: balance and control.

With 2 points from 5 games, and 5 of the next 7 fixtures away from home, I shouldn't be feeling as encouraged as I do, but after that first half it would really surprise me if we don't pick up a few more points on the road this time round.

We brought in 7 new players. Luke Harris I'm hopeful about. I can see the other 6 lining up together very soon.

 

[Eric Blair]

I like the optimism here. I always worry though. The quality in the championship is so high it is ridiculous (Wink off the bench yesterday for example). We are good and have improved but where are the weak sides in this division? (Apart from Wednesday who have had a shocking time of it)

 

[yellowbow]

I like the optimism here. I always worry though. The quality in the championship is so high it is ridiculous (Wink off the bench yesterday for example). We are good and have improved but where are the weak sides in this division? (Apart from Wednesday who have had a shocking time of it)

To be honest I’d just give them a protein shake

 

[Eric Blair]

To be honest I’d just give them a protein shake

I just want to make sure the lads are feeling relaxed

 

[Yellow Mustard]

First time I have seen Lankshear in the flesh- F me he's good.

 

[dickwalton1964]

I like the optimism here. I always worry though. The quality in the championship is so high it is ridiculous (Wink off the bench yesterday for example). We are good and have improved but where are the weak sides in this division? (Apart from Wednesday who have had a shocking time of it)

Winks is one of the most over rated footballers of recent times. You leave Spurs for Leicester, then get relegated and then find yourself on the bench in the Championship for a very good reason - because you’re bang average.

 

[Scotchegg]

Winks is one of the most over rated footballers of recent times. You leave Spurs for Leicester, then get relegated and then find yourself on the bench in the Championship for a very good reason - because you’re bang average.

Someone's stroppy after the Manchester derby!!!

 

[Twiggy85]

I like the optimism here. I always worry though. The quality in the championship is so high it is ridiculous (Wink off the bench yesterday for example). We are good and have improved but where are the weak sides in this division? (Apart from Wednesday who have had a shocking time of it)

Completely agree with this, think we have undoubtedly improved the team - thought opening 45 mins was the best I have seen us play in this league. I really liked what I saw from Krastev at the weekend - his timing and weight of pass really stood out.
However as you say apart from Wednesday there are not any obvious weak sides in the league this year. Which is why it’s disappointing (if understandable) that we didn’t get 3 points yesterday - since I think 3 points this season is going to be very hard to come by - so when we have an opportunity to win a game we need to ensure we take it.

 

[dickwalton1964]

Someone's stroppy after the Manchester derby!!!

Fair enough, you rate him. I don’t.

 

[werthersoriginal]

To be honest I’d just give them a protein shake

They did pull off a couple at half time.

 

[yellowbow]

Fair enough, you rate him. I don’t.

I’m probably going to get pelters for this but, in my humble opinion, winks is exactly the type of player we lack. He sat in front of the back four and constantly found space, keeping the ball moving and creating a base to build from, and some momentum/energy.

Don’t get me wrong, I love BDK and Cam but we could do with someone like that to add to their qualities

 

[tonyw]

I’m probably going to get pelters for this but, in my humble opinion, winks is exactly the type of player we lack. He sat in front of the back four and constantly found space, keeping the ball moving and creating a base to build from, and some momentum/energy.

Don’t get me wrong, I love BDK and Cam but we could do with someone like that to add to their qualities

Can't say I've seen enough of him play to form a general opinion of his abilities.....

.....but Winks was very good indeed yesterday. More than anyone else, he changed the game for them - they had much more composure and control after he came on. They were pretty harum scarum in the first half and gave the ball away a lot; Looked way more effective when Winks was partnering Shipp.

 

[tonyw]

However as you say apart from Wednesday there are not any obvious weak sides in the league this year. Which is why it’s disappointing (if understandable) that we didn’t get 3 points yesterday - since I think 3 points this season is going to be very hard to come by - so when we have an opportunity to win a game we need to ensure we take it.

Mirrors my own thoughts about yesterday, to be honest.

We're going to have to find 13-15 wins from somewhere to avoid relegation. And Wednesday are the only side that look undermanned.

Opportunities like yesterday - where we were clearly the better team for 55 minutes, and playing against 10 men for seventy - are ones we really need to take.

 

[MJB]

Not sure quite where to put this, but in case it's of interest the squad ratings from EA Sports FC 26 can be found here:
https://www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/ratings/teams-ratings/oxford-united/1951

Our top 10 players according to them are:

1. Cam Bran
2. Ben Davies
3. Brian dK
4. Ciaron Brown
5. Siriki Dembele
6. Helik
7. Cumming
8. Ter Avest
9. Placheta
10. Prelec

 

[Jster]

Lankshear one of the lowest rated - peculiar.

 

[MJB]

Lankshear one of the lowest rated - peculiar.

Yes that did strike me as odd. Both because he has started the season, and usually EPL kids tend to be thought of more highly than their lower-league counterparts!

 

[Wallop]

Winks is one of the most over rated footballers of recent times. You leave Spurs for Leicester, then get relegated and then find yourself on the bench in the Championship for a very good reason - because you’re bang average.

Well he was pretty damn effective on Saturday when he came on at half-time. Broke up our midfield very well.

 

[Jaboysmith]

Arguably our 5 best players on Saturday were all new additions from the summer, not bad for a 'sub-par' window

 

[Foley]

To me the only criticism of the window, could be that we don't have an awful lot of back up if one of the two midfield players are injured ( Vaulks clearly is good back up but then Subley/ Johnson or a change in formation), and maybe Lankshear is only on loan and would be a huge loss if he was recalled.

Lankshear, Prelec, De Keersmaecker, Spencer look to be a huge step up to what we had and Krastev is pretty likely to be.
Add in Currie and the window seems to be what the club suggested it would be ( quality over quantity).

 

[TobyDavis34]

I think we’ve improved the starting 11, which ultimately is what we needed to do to ensure we gave ourself the best chance of staying up.

Our last 3 games have been superb, and we competed in the Hull and Birmingham games.

GR was keen to mention we were behind in pre season prep and he was right. We look like we’ve sorted that now too.

Romeny, Brown and Phillips to come back and you’d expect all 3 to contribute more later in the season.

I really feel like we’ll be okay this season if we don’t lose some players in Jan

 

[Stranger]

I very much doubt we'll do much business in Jan unless someone leaves to free up a space (Sibley? Tyler? O'Donkor) or someone gets a long-term injury beforehand (Phillips?), or someone is deregistered for coaching or other purposes (Bradshaw?)

 

[SteMerritt]

To me the only criticism of the window, could be that we don't have an awful lot of back up if one of the two midfield players are injured ( Vaulks clearly is good back up but then Subley/ Johnson or a change in formation), and maybe Lankshear is only on loan and would be a huge loss if he was recalled.

Lankshear, Prelec, De Keersmaecker, Spencer look to be a huge step up to what we had and Krastev is pretty likely to be.
Add in Currie and the window seems to be what the club suggested it would be ( quality over quantity).

As much as I agree with what you have written, I'm not sure you can add Currie in when talking about the last window.

 

[holdsteady]

I very much doubt we'll do much business in Jan unless someone leaves to free up a space (Sibley? Tyler? O'Donkor) or someone gets a long-term injury beforehand (Phillips?), or someone is deregistered for coaching or other purposes (Bradshaw?)

I wonder if Bradshaw will look to get a loan move further down the leagues to try and extend his career, doesn't look like playing much so getting out could help him. Sibley if not playing will probably go out, as will O Donkor. Goodrham is the big question mark, to go from an offer from Southampton to not getting minutes in games is quite a fall, but a long time till January yet. Still should be able to make room for one or two incomings if we need to.

 

[MJB]

Arguably our 5 best players on Saturday were all new additions from the summer, not bad for a 'sub-par' window

And quite the contrast to twelve months ago when our new signings weren’t generally pulling up trees and it was the players from League One who were often the best performers.

 

[Foley]

As much as I agree with what you have written, I'm not sure you can add Currie in when talking about the last window.

No I agree, but was really commenting on the current squad compared to last season ( he is like and new player)

 

[werthersoriginal]

I very much doubt we'll do much business in Jan unless someone leaves to free up a space (Sibley? Tyler? O'Donkor) or someone gets a long-term injury beforehand (Phillips?), or someone is deregistered for coaching or other purposes (Bradshaw?)

I suspect someone like Sibley or Bradshaw will move in January if they haven't played, which will allow us to get a further reinforcement in. O'Donkor doesn't fill a squad place so doesn't count, though I imagine he'll go on loan.

 

[Swaby39]

Arguably our 5 best players on Saturday were all new additions from the summer, not bad for a 'sub-par' window

It’s fair comment, but twists the criticism more than a bit.

Most people, including me, who have been and still are critical of the window have recognised that Waldron/Mitchell look like they may have excelled in poor circumstances.

It wasn’t the plan, nor should it have been, to depend on loans and players that weren’t ready to play. It was more Spencers, more BDK’s. Of the loans, I think Lankshear is likely the only one we’d have still pursued - but that’s a guess based on his profile being one we typically like. Davies too, but the timing of that one suggests not.

I’m critical of the disorganisation that forced our hand, not how we played it, and I applaud (to a degree) what we managed to get in the circumstances and how quickly they look to be getting to speed.

I’ll happily confess I didn’t expect Prelec to be any good whatsoever, for one. Krastev stinks of a gamble, but looks a good one. L Harris looks lost, but for one to not work out? That’s not bad.

It should’ve been a season to kick on in a big way. But by far the most important thing is staying up for another season where hopefully we can do a better job next time, which we will have to do when these loan players exit and BDK gets bought. Next summer could be quite busy again, so we need to be far better prepared. But trust me, I am mightily relieved to see things coming together.

 

[Scotchegg]

I don't understand the criticism of loan deals. You simple don't buy players like Lankshear for anywhere near the cost of his loan fee (which still wasn't cheap). You don't pay 100% of the wages for Ben Davies on a multi-year contract when you can instead pay around 50% of his wages for this season alone. You don't gamble on the signing Prelec, when you get an option to see how he adapts to English football first.

Loans are a hugely important part of all transfer strategies, and there can often be even greater competition to pick some of these players up. These are not cheap deals, but they are significantly cheaper than buying.

I'd rather spend money on real quality players for one season than the same on lesser quality players for multiple seasons. Stuart Findlay has cost the clubs more than we will pay for Ben Nelson last season and Ben Davies for this season.

We still need to buy players with re-sale value and to maintain long term stability. But we also need to get the best possible players that we can within the financial limits that apply. And loans play a huge role in helping us do that.

 

[LeftSideBoy]

Which we will have to do when these loan players exit and BDK gets bought

BDK is going absolutely nowhere next summer.

I'm not sure if you've noticed this, but we're no longer the tinpot little League One club that regularly had their pants pulled down by Championship clubs. We're a Championship club with lofty aspirations and BDK is a player that you build your team around, not sell at the first opportunity..

We don't need to sell, so we wont. We're not the same '2 steps forward and 1 step back' Oxford that many still think that we are.