Realistic Transfer Targets (2025/26)

[r0cafella]

Canny player but we can't afford him. 

[Keegans Export]

Seeing Trippier back in the squad makes me think that, while on the whole reducing the age profile of the squad is the right thing to do, we would benefit from some experience being added to the squad.

 

We've got enough high-value players that may well leave in the next 12-24 months that we don't have to exclusively target players who we hope will increase in value and having one or two who have been around the block at the highest level (like Trippier was back in 2022) could really help when the pressure is on eg. Closing a game down or a high-profile European knock out game

[Rich]

Joan Garcia for Barca last night was something else. A keeper signing of that ilk, please and thank you.

[Myleftboot]

Think that devenny looks a decent player every time I’ve seen him. Looks a proper Eddie player.

[kenlau88210]

On 27/10/2025 at 16:00, Astroblack said:

Would anyone take Harry Wilson as a squad option? 20 mill minimum. Think he’d chip in with goals and assists. 
 

Or am I standards too low? 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Just realised his contract will expire in the summer. Perhaps we could either sign him then or even this window with a discounted fee? He has been on fire lately. 

[Optimistic Nut]

Got no names myself but this is where you go the Villa route and go and get a 3rd/4th choice CB on loan until the summer surely? Take the couple of £m hit on the chin, we're a drop of form or injury away from Lascelles playing. Chelsea must have about 6 who'd be capable of that role. Have a look there like Villa last season with Disasi. Chances are he'd only play a handful of games and we should have Burn back in a few weeks too, but we need to cover ourselves. 

 

 

Edited January 8 by Optimistic Nut

[r0cafella]

1 minute ago, Optimistic Nut said:

Got no names myself but this is where you go the Villa route and go and get a 3rd/4th choice CB on loan until the summer surely? Take the couple of £m hit on the chin, we're a drop of form or injury away from Lascelles playing. Chelsea must have about 6 who'd be capable of that role. Have a look there like Villa last season with Disasi. Chances are he'd only play a handful of games but we need to cover ourselves. 

Just buy one, an upcoming one who can appreciate in value. Loans are such bad short term fixes and should be avoided unless we have an emergency. 

[Optimistic Nut]

3 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

Just buy one, an upcoming one who can appreciate in value. Loans are such bad short term fixes and should be avoided unless we have an emergency. 

If there's one available now then brilliant, I can't imagine we'd have planned to sign one this window though before the injury as we have 5 senior CBs on the books, so whatever targets we have in the summer may not be available now. Schar being out probably long term and Burn out a few more weeks, I'd settle with us patching ourselves up until the summer before going for our main targets. 

[Nucasol]

Just now, Optimistic Nut said:

If there's one available now then brilliant, I can't imagine we'd have planned to sign one this window though before the injury as we have 5 senior CBs on the books, so whatever targets we have in the summer may not be available now. Schar being out probably long term and Burn out a few more weeks, I'd settle with us patching ourselves up until the summer before going for our main targets. 

Only worry is we loan someone like Axel Disaster from Chewsee. 

[trx345]

Rather see Miley play rest of season at CB than us loan in likes of Axel Disasi for 6months.

 

[Optimistic Nut]

2 minutes ago, Nucasol said:

Only worry is we loan someone like Axel Disaster from Chewsee. 

 

Did Villa no harm last season. Was a capable body in the squad as they nearly nicked a CL spot. 

[r0cafella]

7 minutes ago, Optimistic Nut said:

If there's one available now then brilliant, I can't imagine we'd have planned to sign one this window though before the injury as we have 5 senior CBs on the books, so whatever targets we have in the summer may not be available now. Schar being out probably long term and Burn out a few more weeks, I'd settle with us patching ourselves up until the summer before going for our main targets. 

I think we have enough tbh. Krafth Burn and Jam will all be back soon. 

[trx345]

Nathan Ake would be someone I wouldn't be against the idea of us loaning in. Has worked with Howe, Tindall before, so you'd think would easily integrate into what we are doing. Experienced, easily good enough short term as a 3/4 choice CB option - though I'd guess Champions League tied. All that being said, doubt City would ever want to loan a player like that to us -

 

Other than him, can't think of anyone I'd want us to loan in rather than buy.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 8 by trx345

[Sibierski]

Ake just as likely to break down.

 

Giving Chelsea bat shit situation and the young guy back out of favour, I’d want us to try for Josh Achaempong whilst there would be a small window open. Likely be £30m+, but I’m all in on him being as legit as Lewis Hall. The perfect RCB that can also provide RB cover as a sitting recovery RB.

[Nucasol]

14 minutes ago, Sibierski said:

Ake just as likely to break down.

 

Giving Chelsea bat shit situation and the young guy back out of favour, I’d want us to try for Josh Achaempong whilst there would be a small window open. Likely be £30m+, but I’m all in on him being as legit as Lewis Hall. The perfect RCB that can also provide RB cover as a sitting recovery RB.

Would love that signing. 
 

Zero chance of Ake going anywhere this window now with the Dias and Gvardiol injuries.

[trx345]

Is Tomori any good still? Thought he was unstoppable alongside Thiaw when we played AC.

 

Like the idea of Achaempong, but doubt he'd be anywhere near 30M whilst Chelsea have seen what we've done with Hall and Tino for that kind of money. Our summer business, Elanga 55M, Ramsey 40M - we can no drive bargains or deals like we did for Hall on loan then pay later. 

 

Now Ross Wilson has had some time settled, I'd really like us to work in that 10-25M market, and even see the squad have a quicker turnover than we've seen in years before with Howe. 

 

 

[Ben]

6 minutes ago, trx345 said:

Is Tomori any good still? Thought he was unstoppable alongside Thiaw when we played AC.

 

Like the idea of Achaempong, but doubt he'd be anywhere near 30M whilst Chelsea have seen what we've done with Hall and Tino for that kind of money. Our summer business, Elanga 55M, Ramsey 40M - we can no drive bargains or deals like we did for Hall on loan then pay later. 

 

Now Ross Wilson has had some time settled, I'd really like us to work in that 10-25M market, and even see the squad have a quicker turnover than we've seen in years before with Howe. 

 

 

 

What's that human computer "Suds" upto these days ?

[Nucasol]

9 minutes ago, trx345 said:

Is Tomori any good still? Thought he was unstoppable alongside Thiaw when we played AC.

 

Like the idea of Achaempong, but doubt he'd be anywhere near 30M whilst Chelsea have seen what we've done with Hall and Tino for that kind of money. Our summer business, Elanga 55M, Ramsey 40M - we can no drive bargains or deals like we did for Hall on loan then pay later. 

 

Now Ross Wilson has had some time settled, I'd really like us to work in that 10-25M market, and even see the squad have a quicker turnover than we've seen in years before with Howe. 

 

 

Tomori looks set to sign a new deal

with AC Milan. Is actually in the papers this morning.

[Magpie]

35 minutes ago, trx345 said:

Nathan Ake would be someone I wouldn't be against the idea of us loaning in. Has worked with Howe, Tindall before, so you'd think would easily integrate into what we are doing. Experienced, easily good enough short term as a 3/4 choice CB option - though I'd guess Champions League tied. All that being said, doubt City would ever want to loan a player like that to us -

 

Other than him, can't think of anyone I'd want us to loan in rather than buy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Man City only have two fit centre halves with Ake being one of them, he ain’t going anywhere 

[trx345]

4 minutes ago, Ben said:

 

What's that human computer "Suds" upto these days ?

 

Hopefully filling Scalvini's algorithm with bridges. 

[trx345]

15 minutes ago, Magpie said:

Man City only have two fit centre halves with Ake being one of them, he ain’t going anywhere 

 

Didn't recall/factor that in when I suggested him. Even with a fully fit CB choosing, I doubt City would be willing to loan a player like him to a side challenging CL spots.

 

I'm dead against the idea of short term loans for possible short term gain. Whilst it may have worked for Villa last year, those players are elsewhere now, and it cost Villa a fortune on that gamble. 

 

Only thought Ake as a viable player as he's worked with Howe previous, and clearly good enough. Similar to Ramsdale.

 

 

Edited January 8 by trx345

[Disco]

27 minutes ago, Ben said:

 

What's that human computer "Suds" upto these days ?

With a name like that you’d hope it’s running a transfer bath. 

[Magpie]

1 hour ago, trx345 said:

 

Didn't recall/factor that in when I suggested him. Even with a fully fit CB choosing, I doubt City would be willing to loan a player like him to a side challenging CL spots.

 

I'm dead against the idea of short term loans for possible short term gain. Whilst it may have worked for Villa last year, those players are elsewhere now, and it cost Villa a fortune on that gamble. 

 

Only thought Ake as a viable player as he's worked with Howe previous, and clearly good enough. Similar to Ramsdale.

 

 

 

Totally agree and we had been tenuously linked to him. But given their injuries at that position it ain’t gonna happen. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Don’t know why everyone hates Disasi so much, he’s fine. Sure it’s because of his name

[AyeDubbleYoo]

1 hour ago, Magpie said:

Man City only have two fit centre halves with Ake being one of them, he ain’t going anywhere 

Guehi might end up going there.