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

Mara could be on his way to Celtic.

 

Wellington is out for a few months. We are currently 1 injury away from only having players out of position as cover. Fraser has been fantastically useful as a utility man, but wouldn’t want him at RB for any length of time.

We probably have to move both Bree and Taylor on if they have concrete interest, as we might not be able to shift any of the others that we want to. But leaves us a bit short if we suffer any further longer term injuries.

 

We’re not the last team that Kieffer Moore will bully.

I know Edwards has made a couple of big errors in the games so far, but apart from those, he looks a decent player. More so than Wood imo. And far more comfortable on the ball than Quarshie.

Mainly though the fact that he was player of the year twice running at P’boro, and then at QPR last season, is what gives me faith in him. Clearly we haven’t seen him close to his best yet.

 

Whilst I completely understand and agree with your concern, I'm more concerned about injuries at DM than FB. I think only having three natural, experienced and fit DMs is a bigger concern than only three natural, experienced and fit FBs. Because whilst it's not ideal, I think FB is less problematic to be covered by someone else in an emergency (eg Fraser or Edwards) than DM.

 

Not great. Should be making them buy him as they will be a contender this season.

 

Loaning a player we know can perform in this league to a promotion rival would be beyond daft imo.

 

I can see both sides. Stephen’s is good enough for us this season yes. Do I think he’s outstanding even at this level and undroppable? No. Does he deserve to be in the team on performances and to try and help steady the ship during this early season transition? Yes.
Could we benefit more from allowing one of our other CBs with a higher ceiling to develop as the season progresses? Probably. They do also need to be good enough now I agree because we need to get promoted first. But I think they probably are good enough given a chance in a settled team.

 

Loaning, rather than selling, Bree and/or Taylor when into their final year is one thing. It's probably only small transfer fees that we're missing out on. But it's different with Smallbone. He does have some decent value at this level. So if we can't sell him today, I'd rather keep him and lose him for free next summer, than loan him out. Especially to a divisional rival.

 

Helps them take points off other rivals and not against us, similar to BBD at Derby. I do accept that Brum are more likely to be a top 2 candidate than Derby

 

We just about managed in our last promotion season with just Flynn Downes. Though only having him arguably cost us autos given our drop off without him in the team. I think Aribo will likely end up being re-integrated and used as the utility midfielder cover.

 

We also have Sesay as cover if needed. 4 CDM's for two spots is good enough.

 

Newcastle striker Osula who Southampton had loan interest in, is looking to complete a permanent move to Frankfurt later today.

 

That would not be a good shout from us. Personally be fine if Smallbone stays, he always gives 100% and decent at this level. Being a saints fan, would love to see him smash in the winner against the skates too

 

Hence my word experienced.

If he is good enough, then great. But he's 18, has barely kicked a ball in professional football, and our manager clearly decided he would be better off playing with the youth side on Friday rather than travelling with the senior squad on Saturday - even though we knew that Jander wasn't available to yet play.

I don't want to be putting big expectations on him.

 

Yeah, if Aribo stays, then it's a different story. But I think he's one of our highest earners? I'm still expecting he'll leave, even if it's not today.

 

People are forgetting the player’s interest here. If Smallbone isn’t likely to get a look in then he might not be happy if we reject a loan

 

There’s just been no interest in him and we’ve made it obvious that he’s available all summer. I imagine he is one of our highest earners now, but that likely means he’d rather sit out his final year on that money rather than move on for what would surely be less elsewhere. Does feel like if it happens it will be Turkey after our window has shut leaving us potentially a bit short at CM.

 

My answer to that would be tough and that the club's interests have to come first.

No huge problem with a loan. Just not to a promotion rival.

 

I get that, and hopefully we won't be in that position, but convincing a player that's good enough to start to join, and letting them know they 3rd/4th choice seems pretty impossible.