Transfer Window Summer 2025 Transfer Window Build-Up Thread

[Jaboysmith]

Transfer Rumours In
​

Player​	Current Club​	Link or Source​
Thierry Small​	Charlton Athletic​	Football World Article​
Kasey Palmer​	Hull City​	YF ITK​
Ethan Erhahon​	Lincoln City​	Football World Article​
Onel Hernandez​	Norwich City​	Instragram Post​
Davis Keillor-Dunn​	Barnsley​	Football World Article​
COD​	Cardiff​	Scotchegg​
James Dornelly​	Peterborough​	Football League World​

Transfer Rumours Out​

Player​	Interested Club​	Link or Source​
Tyler Goodrham​	Burnley, Southampton, Middlesbrough, Coventry​	Football World Article, Bigboy​
Stuart Findlay​	Hearts, Kilmarnock​	Daily Record​

Transfer Window Dates
​

Opens​	Closes​	Re-Opens​
Sunday 1 June to Tuesday 10 June (19:00)​	Tuesday 10 June (19:00:01) to Monday 16 June (00:01)​	Monday 16 June to Monday 1 September (19:00)​

 

[Chippy]

BIDDING WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surely Hearts can afford more than Kilmarnock. It’s time whoever has him contributed a decent amount or we just keep and/or stick him in the reserves. Fed up with us only getting minimal amount for him (according to people on here). It’s crazy he seems to have us over a barrell, should be other way round!

Re Phillips whoever agreed his contract if 17.5k a week for 2 years is true wants seriously taking to task. That’s just mental at his age and for what he could clearly offer or not offer in terms of remaining playing ability.

These 2 players (and they aren’t alone) are seriously holding us back from potentially being able to afford others that could add so much more to our squad.

Anyway moan over

 

[UTO]

The rumour of £17,500 a week seems a pretty strong one.

But not true!!

 

[tonyw]

Surely Hearts can afford more than Kilmarnock. It’s time whoever has him contributed a decent amount or we just keep and/or stick him in the reserves. Fed up with us only getting minimal amount for him (according to people on here). It’s crazy he seems to have us over a barrell, should be other way round!

If you sign a player to a four year contract on a good salary, and then he turns out not to be good enough for the league you're playing in at the time (never mind the one you then get promoted into).......then yeah, they have you over a barrell!

Second time I've mentioned him today, but this is the Winston Bogarde rule.

Solution - don't hand out four year contracts unless you know the player is awesome!
(also don't give your manager a blank check book when their mind is clearly elsewhere and they are mostly half-arsing it!)

 

[Bicester Yellow]

Sam Long will sign a new 1 year deal this summer on top of year he’s got left from what I’ve heard,

Not totally against it as squad cover.

Did well when called upon this season.

 

[Barrywedge]

Out of the three right backs we've got in my opinion 1) Sam Long
2)Peter Kioso
3) Hidden ter Avest

 

[holdsteady]

Hearts sacking their manager and replacing him with McInnes might be a right touch for us, will still cost us a few quid but maybe less than before, Hearts might want to sign him properly so with a pay off from us that could happen.

 

[holdsteady]

Out of the three right backs we've got in my opinion 1) Sam Long
2)Peter Kioso
3) Hidden ter Avest

Ter Avest looked the pick of them at the end of the season.

 

[Bornyellow]

Out of the three right backs we've got in my opinion 1) Sam Long
2)Peter Kioso
3) Hidden ter Avest

If that’s in order of quality… unbelievably harsh on Ter Avest, when fully fit he’s been our best RB this year.

 

[holdsteady]

But not true!!

Bet it’s still a wedge though.

 

[ttg17]

Football isn’t quite as theoretical as that. That’s like saying we shouldn’t take any released player from any team who finished below us. I’d look at it the other way - 27 years old and 200 Championship games. Sometimes a player needs a refresh and perhaps Preston and Ledson felt the end of the road had arrived. I’d also factor in him being the squad replacement for McEachran - free, good age, bags of experience, no brainer. No one’s saying he needs to be better than Cam or Vaulks, is he a squad upgrade on McEachran and the answer to that is an emphatic yes he is.

Everyone rightly identifies the winger and striker positions as those we need to improve going into next year, but I do think a position of underrated importance that we need to improve is CM. It’s harsh because Vaulks, Matos and CB were such heroes in the run in, but one of the reasons we were in the sticky position we got into over the season was because we rarely had any control over central midfield areas. We became so reliant on set pieces because in central positions we didn’t have the technical ability to hold onto the ball or create chances. The players we have were fine for backs-to-the-wall, points on the board performances, but I’d be wary of committing to a season of such play-the-percentages football.

I’d hope players we are looking to bring in in that position, as well as adding a bit of bite, also raise our floor in that respect. Does Ledson do that? I’ve not watched him at all for a few years, but I suspect he doesn’t. Take the sentiment out of it, and I don’t think we need another player who can crash about and get stuck in as their MO. I think we need someone with a bit of finesse.

 

[McXal]

Looking around the retained lists and noticed that Kelvin Ehibatiomhan is mentioned on Reading’s list as being offered a new deal. Does this mean he’s OOC?

On the limited amount of times I’ve seen him he looks raw, but a big, athletic, powerful forward of the kind we’ve not had.

 

[The Voice Of Reason]

Why did it take so long to announce 2 1st teamers are gone? The retained list took forever given only 2 are gone. I expected a Peterborough style list of x retained. X gone. X transfer listed for fee. X made available for loans. Etc

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

David Ozoh is a big old boy

Read that on a bus shelter in Stadhampton.

 

[Bicester Yellow]

Why did it take so long to announce 2 1st teamers are gone? The retained list took forever given only 2 are gone. I expected a Peterborough style list of x retained. X gone. X transfer listed for fee. X made available for loans. Etc

Has never happened with us and never will happen. Not how we conduct ourselves as a club.

Rest assured, the players not in Rowetts plans will know already.

 

[holdsteady]

Why did it take so long to announce 2 1st teamers are gone? The retained list took forever given only 2 are gone. I expected a Peterborough style list of x retained. X gone. X transfer listed for fee. X made available for loans. Etc

You don’t see a lot of players transfer listed anymore, not clubs saying that someone is available for transfer at this level, agents do all the work.

We are always a bit slow to announce stuff, this list could have been announced a week back but it’s just how the club is.

 

[Chippy]

If you sign a player to a four year contract on a good salary, and then he turns out not to be good enough for the league you're playing in at the time (never mind the one you then get promoted into).......then yeah, they have you over a barrell!

Second time I've mentioned him today, but this is the Winston Bogarde rule.

Solution - don't hand out four year contracts unless you know the player is awesome!
(also don't give your manager a blank check book when their mind is clearly elsewhere and they are mostly half-arsing it!)

Understand all that, but if we still pay well over half SF’s wages (and it could be more or less than that, I’ve no idea other than reading comments on here on the subject over the last couple of years), then we either bite the bullet and pay the full amount and keep him (and he knuckles down or simply stays as a non squad player) or he accepts a much lesser deal to move on to where he wants to be.

I agree a 4 year deal was crazy but don’t think SF is inferior to say Thorniley, so we should call more of the shots and force the players hand if he really wants to be elsewhere for game time and to suit his own personal situation.

Maybe it’s just me but I do think we’ve been a soft touch far too often in recent years with this sort of thing, and we need to be much harder and shrewder in the way we conduct business.

 

[Thomas/Brock/Jones]

 

[WRox]

I mean, we need to ship three out before we even get to the point of One In-One Out (and that's not even including Eastwood, who I assume we will keep around for coaching purposes, but won't actually register).

If we want to bring half a dozen new players in - and I think we all agree that we do - then we have to find homes for nine of our (over 21) players.

I'm sure El Miz will be one of them (we'll find a club to send him on loan), Mills might be too - but I think in an ideal world we would include Phillips as well.

I do totally agree but the contract situation is far from an ideal world.

I think we can assume we’ll lose the 6 that weren’t registered for the second half of last season (plus Eastwood) so we need to lose three more from last year’s 25 to bring in 6.

I’d say that 3 realistically comes from a list of Kioso, El Mizouni, Mills, Phillips and maybe Rodrigues or Bradshaw.

Out of that list, I’d say Phillips is hardest to shift and probably the easiest to leave out of a squad as well. He’s 35 next season. So can certainly see a scenario where the club keeps him around, saves some cash (we’ll already be taking hits on Findlay, Thorniley etc) and uses Phillips as squad player 25/25.

 

[The Voice Of Reason]

Has never happened with us and never will happen. Not how we conduct ourselves as a club.

Rest assured, the players not in Rowetts plans will know already.

Yes but in my view an open and honest way

 

[Chris on a Bike]

Why did it take so long to announce 2 1st teamers are gone? The retained list took forever given only 2 are gone. I expected a Peterborough style list of x retained. X gone. X transfer listed for fee. X made available for loans. Etc

What a worry this is!

 

[Oxy]

Out of the three right backs we've got in my opinion 1) Sam Long
2)Peter Kioso
3) Hidden ter Avest

My approach would be,

HTA as the attacking RB option
Keep Long as RB and CB cover
Then recruit a better all rounder that slightly older to start (around 30YO)

Loan Kioso to a top end L1 side or maybe abroad to let him develop a bit more, still think there’s a really good player in there

 

[HillBilly]

Fitting if Phillips went to the SPL on loan for a last hurrah. There would have to be some takers.

He'd probably make waves up there and maybe even get a couple of European nights.

It is a fair old commute like!

 

[CaptainOx]

Why did it take so long to announce 2 1st teamers are gone? The retained list took forever given only 2 are gone. I expected a Peterborough style list of x retained. X gone. X transfer listed for fee. X made available for loans. Etc

It didn't need to be provided to EFL until tomorrow and plenty of clubs haven't published theirs yet. It makes no difference whether announced the day after the season finished or today.

Very few clubs publicly announce transfer or loan listing these days.

 

[Gregortheox]

Internally, we are going to have to be ultra aggressive. And that’s the way to do it isn’t it? Keep it in house.
I have counted 12 or 14 players who will hold us back which could free up 50-70k a week in wages. That’s the 4 or 5 class players who go in to the team who will be the difference.

Eastwood…coaching job.

Sam Long…deserves to be playing more football, else where.

Joe Bennett…has left the club. Good player for a Cardiff City who want to bounce back immediately.

Stephan Negru…Good defender but we are a championship side now.

Jordan Thorniley…would be a solid signing in L1 and top drawer in L2. Should go to play football. He must be bored shitless.

Stuart Findlay…is highly thought of in Scotland. There is his future. Hearts or Killy.

Josh Mac…has left the club.

El Miz…needs to go on loan for a season to a good L1 club. I think he has talent, but can’t imagine him in a GR side right now.

Sibley…as above really. Can play football but a club like Oxford united, as wonderful as it is, cannot wait for his development.

Tyler…we are holding him back and he is doing the same to Oxford United. His talent I do not doubt. Put him in a side like Middlesbrough or Coventry following a 6m transfer fee and it’s happy days all round. A tight technical player who will thrive elsewhere.

Ruben…thought hard about it and I think he is a top drawer L1 player who needs a split second longer on the ball than the champ will allow. Loan to a serious club in L1.

Matt Phillips…I fear we won’t be able to offload but he would do pretty well if someone covered half his wages in L1. Half his wages I’m lead to believe is pretty significant.

Owen Dale…long term contract at a L1 club is where he is at. Oxford United have evolved pretty quick and he is another who has fallen by the wayside.

Goodwin…it’s crunch time for this guy. He needs to prove he can play 30 plus games in a season…and sharpish. It won’t be at Oxford United.

Gatlin…the clubs rise has held him back. He needs to transfer away and score lots of goals at a lower level. His future can still be a good one but at Oxford Utd, he wouldn’t play football.

Max Woltman…has left the club. Needs to prove his fitness down the pyramid. Good luck.

Mark Harris…I think he will sign a new deal but I’m unsure what he can bring at this level. Maybe he will be a great runner off of the likes of Kasey Palmer but we shall see. I may would look to get him a transfer away. I’m pretty undecided all in all.

 

[BillyTurleys CurlyWurly]

Internally, we are going to have to be ultra aggressive. And that’s the way to do it isn’t it? Keep it in house.
I have counted 12 or 14 players who will hold us back which could free up 50-70k a week in wages. That’s the 4 or 5 class players who go in to the team who will be the difference.

Eastwood…coaching job.

Sam Long…deserves to be playing more football, else where.

Joe Bennett…has left the club. Good player for a Cardiff City who want to bounce back immediately.

Stephan Negru…Good defender but we are a championship side now.

Jordan Thorniley…would be a solid signing in L1 and top drawer in L2. Should go to play football. He must be bored shitless.

Stuart Findlay…is highly thought of in Scotland. There is his future. Hearts or Killy.

Josh Mac…has left the club.

El Miz…needs to go on loan for a season to a good L1 club. I think he has talent, but can’t imagine him in a GR side right now.

Sibley…as above really. Can play football but a club like Oxford united, as wonderful as it is, cannot wait for his development.

Tyler…we are holding him back and he is doing the same to Oxford United. His talent I do not doubt. Put him in a side like Middlesbrough or Coventry following a 6m transfer fee and it’s happy days all round. A tight technical player who will thrive elsewhere.

Ruben…thought hard about it and I think he is a top drawer L1 player who needs a split second longer on the ball than the champ will allow. Loan to a serious club in L1.

Matt Phillips…I fear we won’t be able to offload but he would do pretty well if someone covered half his wages in L1. Half his wages I’m lead to believe is pretty significant.

Owen Dale…long term contract at a L1 club is where he is at. Oxford United have evolved pretty quick and he is another who has fallen by the wayside.

Goodwin…it’s crunch time for this guy. He needs to prove he can play 30 plus games in a season…and sharpish. It won’t be at Oxford United.

Gatlin…the clubs rise has held him back. He needs to transfer away and score lots of goals at a lower level. His future can still be a good one but at Oxford Utd, he wouldn’t play football.

Max Woltman…has left the club. Needs to prove his fitness down the pyramid. Good luck.

Mark Harris…I think he will sign a new deal but I’m unsure what he can bring at this level. Maybe he will be a great runner off of the likes of Kasey Palmer but we shall see. I may would look to get him a transfer away. I’m pretty undecided all in all.

Bennett to Cardiff sounds like it’s got legs in it. Great move for him. Bennett left back with O’Dowda in front is as good of a left side you’ll get down there at that level next season.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

If he took 50% then he would need to get another club to pay him £8,500 a week to match what he is earning, which isn’t happening, if he took 75% then he needs to find a club to pay him £4,350 a week, which is still a long shot. How many league one clubs will be willing to given an ageing, injury prone player who we don’t want a contract?

We have probably overpaid him by so much that, combined with the fact it will be flying around football gossip that his legs have gone, shifting him isn’t going to be easy.

Phillips doesn’t earn more than Brannagan considering Cam is the highest earner and isn’t on 16k a week.

 

[Emilio]

Gatlin…the clubs rise has held him back. He needs to transfer away and score lots of goals at a lower level. His future can still be a good one but at Oxford Utd, he wouldn’t play football.

We've just activated a 1-year extension and offered him a new long-term contract, so (other than another loan) he won't be off anywhere any time soon.

 

[Scotchegg]

Matt Phillips is not earning buttons, but there are at least 3 or 4 earning more than him with Cam the highest earner on a little under £15k per week I believe.

And Sam Long has already agreed a further year on his contract, and I'll be surprised if other extensions haven't also been done. Not all are publicised as we saw with Easty 6 months ago.

 

[bdodwell]

Dijksteel is available released by Middlesbrough.

 

[holdsteady]

Dijksteel is available released by Middlesbrough.

With a name like that porn is also an option.