Transfer Rumours Summer 2025 1 - 10 June, 16 June - 1 September

Smallbone can do more than a job in the Championship. He is a top Championship midfielder. He has easily proven himself in the Championship at whatever club he played at.

He got the assist in the playoff final. So to say he is just a squad player is harsh enough to be disrespectful.

Anyway, why would you want a backup player? I would only want players who are good enough to start in Saints squad. That's the whole point of a squad system.

 

This. I would expect that he has watched plenty games from last season to form an assessment as to character and attitude.

 

What? I'm saying he's fine but let's be realistic. Can he play in the Championship? Sure. Will he be a total liability if he plays for us? No. Is he good enough to be first choice for a team chasing automatic promotion? Almost certainly not.

Then you have to look at our squad. He was clearly way down the pecking order last season, starting only 6 league games. He's probably still 4th choice as things stand. If we get to September with him in our best XI then I'd say we've probably had a poor transfer window.

I probably wouldn't want us to sign a backup player but we already have Smallbone. I didn't use the term backup player myself, but the whole point of a squad is that you have players who play most games and others who don't. As I say, he's fine to be in the squad and if he plays some games I'm sure he won't be a disaster, but if we're going to win the league we need better.

 

He might look at those games and think poor f**kers. They had no plan B. No wonder they were sh*t.

 

Not sure we had a plan A half the time either!

 

Good points. I hope you are more correct than me, I do feel there was some absolutely just 'give up' games last season, which means a lack of pride and respect which I hope is not entrenched in the players and club now.

The first couple of games will be interesting, if Wrexham somehow get two in front early doors, maybe with some wretched luck, it'll be interesting to see how any of last season's players react.

 

Anyone for Calvert-Lewin?

 

No. And he wouldn't come here.

 

I also think it’s unlikely on both counts; doubt he’d come to us and not sure we’d go for him.


But I’m struggling to see any PL option for him right now (West Ham maybe?) so he may well have to look abroad or drop down

 

Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley could all be interested.

 

Could keep Ross Stewart company in the physio room. Good player just can’t stay fit, he’d be aiming higher than the Championship as well, was heavily linked with Newcastle but I saw Wilson signed a new deal so don’t really see a spot for him there.

Also doesn’t feel like a Saints signing either, but if there was any interest from DCL I’d take him.

 

Chelsea splashing out, signing Joao Pedro and Bynoe-Gittens for about £110m combined. Probably using the money saved from getting out of the Mudryk 10 year contract

 

I didn't think he would move because I couldn't see anyone in the PL paying £25+. I didn't consider a move abroad though. Assuming Porto are willing to go higher, I can see this happening.

 

Source is er....unreliable to say the least.

 

Would be their record signing even at that price. Can’t see it happening, but I do think he’ll leave somewhere

 

Almost as unreliable as you can get. Especially as it doesn’t involve any northern clubs

 

Does he own a racehorse in The Gold Cup, or is he running in it?

 

https://x.com/plettigoal/status/1939431548954231219?s=46

 

Excellent news.