Last year we were quite late off the mark to get our first signing in compared to other clubs. Which prompted multiple "Starting to get worried by our lack of signings" threads. I have a feeling it may a be a little earlier this year as there could potentially be competition to sign players from relegated clubs. Just a bit of fun, when will our first signing be?
We can make domestic signings as soon as this Premier League season finishes. Transfers between different associations can't be made until July 1st. And technically we could make a signing as soon as today if it's an out-of-contract player.
I'd like us to make an early signing. The earlier we do it, the more time the player(s) have to train with the current squad. If we leave it right up until the start of the season, then that doesn't give them much settling in time. I think realistically June-ish.
Nigel has already indicated that he wants to get the transfers done and dusted before preseason, so I guess the first signing could be early June.
I believe the first Premier League signing (excluding free transfers) last summer was Jordan Henderson on June 9th.
To be honest....I think contingency plans were in place prior to last weekend. I think what is happening at the moment is the sounding out of players agents and maybe players. As you will have heard the first one away from Pompey has been announced. So no doubt something is happening behind closed doors. Nothing concrete will happen until well after the season ends although with some players going to the Euros maybe it will.
We could sign one today for money, just it wouldn't go through until mid-June/start of July depending on where they've come from. If Adkins has indeed got players in mind early, then we could easily sign someone before July or maybe even before June. My guess would be that he will continue to be methodical and it'll be at the end of June/start of July.
Im sure he will have a very good list of potential players now. IMO it will be a domestic signing in mid June for the first one as domestic competition for signings will begin first, especially for players from relegated teams if we're interested in any. There could very well be unofficial deals in motion for players from teams assuming they didnt go up. For example Jordan Rhodes. Probably not much activity over the Euros as they will continue scouting the competition for uncovered gems. A bit like how they found Tadanari.
