2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[USABlue]

6 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

According to the Scottish Sun, the offers have been booted out as being " nowhere near" the Club's valuation.

Whoever would have thunk it?

Sometime wonder if we find out what a player is selling for and offer nowhere near the value just so we can say we tried.  Nah we would'nt do that would we?

[USABlue]

4 hours ago, BankEnd Rover said:

We love being advanced and actually doing nothing this window.

So with Rovers, does advanced actually mean close to missing out on him.

[simongarnerisgod]

9 minutes ago, USABlue said:

So with Rovers, does advanced actually mean close to missing out on him.

rovers version of "advanced talks" is ringing up the club,putting a derisory bid in then claiming the talks are close to an agreement,we only agree terms with desperate clubs who want to get rid of their dead wood

[roversfan99]

I can see the upside to McLaughlin. An experienced Championship defender, good age, left sided, and fairly well regarded. Decent on the ball too. We will be presumably going abroad again for players further up the pitch so some extra Championship know how to build upon would be useful.

There are question marks on quality. He wasnt able to start regularly at centre back at Hull and was shunted to left back where seemingly he did well. The reaction fans from Hull is mainly positive although it seems partly based on him playing at left back and leaving them short there, factoring in their transfer ban, rather than his abilities at centre back. Hes not quick either so it might be a problem if we want to play a high line.

Certainly doesnt seem like part of the plan of what they wanted to be honest. All of our main targets were abroad and it may be that we stumble upon needed experience somewhat by chance. I think back to when Broughton tried to bring in Batth, that seemed to be when we had identified the need for experience and all planned out, until Venkys meddled.

Obviously this is assuming he signs, which we dont know. Advanced means nothing here and the source is flawed. If he is now our target, just get it done soon because he will need to go straight in.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

Myers who is normally on the ball has stated it’s close - in the midst of the doom and gloom it’s certainly a signing I can get behind 

left footed 

can played centre back and left back if needed (although plenty of options there)

experienced 

knows the league 

happy ‘if’ it happens 

[Ossydave]

Lewis Miller would be a great signing, probably the best name we've been linked this summer. 

The only problem is think it's highly unlikely, especially with Charlton flexing their financial  muscle too 🥲

[BankEnd Rover]

4 minutes ago, Ossydave said:

Lewis Miller would be a great signing, probably the best name we've been linked this summer. 

The only problem is think it's highly unlikely, especially with Charlton flexing their financial  muscle too 🥲

Do you think we'll be going for another RB? Personally think money should be allocated to a more attacking position.

[roversfan99]

I dont believe that Miller story personally, at best its outdated prior to Alebiosu signing.

We definitely need a right back when Brittain goes, but we wont be bidding amidst the uncertainty, I wouldnt think.

[BankEnd Rover]

8 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I dont believe that Miller story personally, at best its outdated prior to Alebiosu signing.

We definitely need a right back when Brittain goes, but we wont be bidding amidst the uncertainty, I wouldnt think.

I don't think we get one if Brittain goes, Montgomery will be backup. 

[Mercer]

McLaughlin sounds an okay signing - how low the bar, and our expectation, has fallen.  At least he is 'Championship ready'.

Can't help but think club is pulling its finger out on this one as there's bad news on Carter's 'cramp'!

[Ossydave]

20 minutes ago, BankEnd Rover said:

Do you think we'll be going for another RB? Personally think money should be allocated to a more attacking position.

I hope so, Miller is a big lad too, 6ft 2, could potentially fill in at centre half. Given the fragility of Carter and Wharton as well, I think that adds to his appeal.

[roversfan99]

17 minutes ago, BankEnd Rover said:

I don't think we get one if Brittain goes, Montgomery will be backup. 

That would be purely to save on wages then. Montgomery is a young midfielder who got sent off in his only start filling in there.

[Penwortham Blue]

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

I can see the upside to McLaughlin. An experienced Championship defender, good age, left sided, and fairly well regarded. Decent on the ball too. We will be presumably going abroad again for players further up the pitch so some extra Championship know how to build upon would be useful.

There are question marks on quality. He wasnt able to start regularly at centre back at Hull and was shunted to left back where seemingly he did well. The reaction fans from Hull is mainly positive although it seems partly based on him playing at left back and leaving them short there, factoring in their transfer ban, rather than his abilities at centre back. Hes not quick either so it might be a problem if we want to play a high line.

Certainly doesnt seem like part of the plan of what they wanted to be honest. All of our main targets were abroad and it may be that we stumble upon needed experience somewhat by chance. I think back to when Broughton tried to bring in Batth, that seemed to be when we had identified the need for experience and all planned out, until Venkys meddled.

Obviously this is assuming he signs, which we dont know. Advanced means nothing here and the source is flawed. If he is now our target, just get it done soon because he will need to go straight in.

Might be wrong but seem to recall we were reported to have an interest in a Hull player last pre season. Probably the same one and someone has found a list whilst clearing out Park / Lowe’s desks 😊

[roversfan99]

3 minutes ago, Penwortham Blue said:

Might be wrong but seem to recall we were reported to have an interest in a Hull player last pre season. Probably the same one and someone has found a list whilst clearing out Park / Lowe’s desks 😊

Was indeed the same player. 

[davulsukur]

The McLoughlin deal makes a lot of sense. Plenty of championship experience, left footed and we are desperate for a centre back. 

Taking advantage of Hull's situation as well, which makes a refreshing change, as it's normally us strapped for cash.

[Tomphil2]

1 hour ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

Is the guy grom Hull any better?  Clearly wasn't first choice, will cost a fee and likely to be a similar wage to Batth anyway.

A lot younger i assume and will maybe actually get longer than 12 months.

Ideally we'd keep Batth and bring this guy in but they aren't capable of that.

Edited 15 hours ago by Tomphil2

[Eternal Optimist]

34 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

A lot younger i assume and will maybe actually get longer than 12 months.

Ideally we'd keep Batth and bring this guy in but they aren't capable of that.

Not sure why you’d want Batth, McLoughlin and Wharton as all left footed centre backs in the team 🥴 we wouldn't be signing McLoughlin if we still had Batth

Grand scheme of things McLoughlin is younger, quicker and better on the ball good signing in my opinion 💪

[Eternal Optimist]

1 minute ago, Eternal Optimist said:

Not sure why you’d want Batth, McLoughlin and Wharton as all left footed centre backs in the team 🥴 we wouldn't be signing McLoughlin if we still had Batth

Grand scheme of things McLoughlin is younger, quicker and better on the ball good signing in my opinion 💪

Scrap what I just said, Batth is right footed 🤣🤣 senior moment there 

[roversfan99]

I also dont think he is as good as Batth. Batth was outstanding, McLoughlin struggled for a regular spot at centre back and was played at left back.

If he signs, I do feel like as a 4th signing, they are all filling necessary voids in the squad rather than improving our best 11.

We needed some additional width, De Neve fills that, but we need someone to really improve the first 11 with Dolan having gone. We needed a strong 3rd choice midfielder which hopefully Tavares can do as opposed to Buckley and Forshaw who arent good enough. If either of the main 2 go, that becomes a different story, they would then need directly replacing. We needed right back cover, we got that in Alebiosu, but if Brittain goes and isnt directly replaced, we are weaker there. And now potentially McLoughlin, a good player to have around, but still think we need another centre back and we still look weaker than last year there.

We need some players to actually come straight into the starting 11, mainly along the front line, as well as needing to ensure that if any of our best players leave, which is incredibly likely, we dont just try and make do with what we have.

[Paul Mellelieu]

[BankEnd Rover]

7 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I also dont think he is as good as Batth. Batth was outstanding, McLoughlin struggled for a regular spot at centre back and was played at left back.

If he signs, I do feel like as a 4th signing, they are all filling necessary voids in the squad rather than improving our best 11.

We needed some additional width, De Neve fills that, but we need someone to really improve the first 11 with Dolan having gone. We needed a strong 3rd choice midfielder which hopefully Tavares can do as opposed to Buckley and Forshaw who arent good enough. If either of the main 2 go, that becomes a different story, they would then need directly replacing. We needed right back cover, we got that in Alebiosu, but if Brittain goes and isnt directly replaced, we are weaker there. And now potentially McLoughlin, a good player to have around, but still think we need another centre back and we still look weaker than last year there.

We need some players to actually come straight into the starting 11, mainly along the front line, as well as needing to ensure that if any of our best players leave, which is incredibly likely, we dont just try and make do with what we have.

How can you "think" he's not as good as Baath? You say Baath was outstanding? I agree, yet his season before at Norwich, they couldn't wait to get rid of him.

Players adapt differently to managers/systems etc. We can all have opinions but to say someone is better than  someone's else without watching both (over a season) is abit wild. 

[Tomphil2]

27 minutes ago, Eternal Optimist said:

Not sure why you’d want Batth, McLoughlin and Wharton as all left footed centre backs in the team 🥴 we wouldn't be signing McLoughlin if we still had Batth

Grand scheme of things McLoughlin is younger, quicker and better on the ball good signing in my opinion 💪

Now just apply some critical thinking to it.

We want to build as strong a squad as possible and Wharton won't last a season and Batth is 36 so we'd be very strong in that dept, Batth would be off next summer and Wharton a year stronger.

Chances of all 3 being fit and fighting for 1 spot at the same time wouldn't be often over a long hard season plus cup games.

[Eternal Optimist]

Stats from 24/25 McLoughlin is the first set Batth the second. Not hugely different so stats suggest we are getting a player at least as good as what we have lost 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Forever Blue]

They didn’t want a replacement for Batth as he’s a natural RCB. He only played LCB last season to allow Hyam to move over to the right.
 

They wanted a LCB to compete with Wharton and it looks like we are getting one. 
 

Not sure there’s much to quibble about here, they are doing what they said they’d do. 
 

The only question when he signs is he any good!

[chaddyrovers]

I would happy with the McLoughlin signing. Experience, knowhow and knowledge of the Championship. Sensible signing for us. Still think we need a 5th option given that Wharton is just returning from long term injury and Carter's injury problem. 

On 16/07/2025 at 07:42, Tomphil2 said:

Yep the fishing in the relegated Belgium teams is another step down from recruiting the likes of Quashi and Tronstad so the chances of them hitting the ground running are less.

It's not always about what abilities they posses as most players have some sort of qualities it's more about how quickly they can adapt. The right attitude, desire and mindset and that takes a bit more scouting time and research than pouring over stats in less demanding leagues.

Fingers crossed.

Or we are signing players that Fit the requirements of Ismael in terms of how he wants to play and qualities he wants 

2 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

That would be purely to save on wages then. Montgomery is a young midfielder who got sent off in his only start filling in there.

or Maybe Ismael rates both and they fit how he wants to play. Brittain is training and they has been no second bid from Boro so lets hope we can convince Brittain to stay and sign a new long term contract here