2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[seamless]

4 minutes ago, ObiWhan8t7 said:

 We Are linked via x feed to a Axel Henriksson

In swedish media to. 

https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/QMVV6P?utm_source=androidapp&utm_medium=share

[ObiWhan8t7]

https://www.transferfeed.com/transfers/axel-henriksson-gais-blackburn-rovers/13291966

[Ossydave]

11 minutes ago, ObiWhan8t7 said:

 We Are linked via x feed to a Axel Henriksson

Definitely sounds legit, some Swedish reporters with huge followings have mentioned it

[ROVER_N_OUT1978]

Possibly instead of Baradji as they seem very similar types

[simongarnerisgod]

43 minutes ago, Ossydave said:

If he can't seemingly motivate himself to play for us, I fail to see how he will do so for Wigan, or any league 1 club tbh! I've posted it many times before but he's one of the strangest players I can remember for us.

buckley is a bit like lars bohinen,both talented but lacked  inspiration and courage on the pitch

[alexanders]

From a Twitter account:

Alexander Henriksson🇸🇪 • 16/04/2002

•Another signing that is marked by myself as a dream signing, although I think he is still worth mentioning. Henriksson plays his club football for Swedish top flight side GAIS.  During the 2024 Season, Henriksson played 26 games which 19 of them he started.  Predominately deployed as the attacking player in the midfield three in GAIS`s 4-3-3 formation.  

•A parallel can be drawn to Fredrikstad`s current creative output in Morten Bjørlo. The two players, while different share some of the creative and on the ball qualities. 

•The Ability to win the ball in the final 3rd of the pitch, and driving forward with the ball is something that is prominent in both players, and even more so in Axel Henriksson. A technically prominent midfielder combined with his athleticism and his towering 190cm, makes of a rare mould of a footballer.  

• Although Axel Henriksson is an attacking midfielder, some of his defensive numbers are also through the roof compared to comparable players 

- Aerial duels won: 42 (92nd percentile) 

- Duels won: 117 (77th percentile) 

- Possesion won in the final 3rd: (89th percentile)                                                  

• The 22-year-old also had an impressive season attacking wise, as he managed 8 goals and 3 assists from 19 starts in the Allsvenskan for a GAIS team that finished 6th. His numbers in the attacking numbers are as his defensive ones, impressive.  

- Goals: 8 (100th percentile) 

- Shots on target: 20 (100th percentile) 

- Touches in opposition box: 98 (95th percentile) 

• One of Henriksson`s abilities that impressed me the most is his positioning. In the instanced i have watched him, he always seems to be in the right spot, which speaks of a high footballing IQ. As previously mentioned, I find Henriksson to be a unique mould of footballer, and a mould of attacking midfielder you don't see very often. 

•This is made clear by the interest in him. At the time of writing, Polish club Rakov Czestochowa holds a strong interest in the player who`s contract runs out at the end of 2026, and as we fast approach the transfer window, I am sure there will be a lot of intrest in the player. As previously stated, i view Axel Henriksson as a dream signing, and aknowledge that should he leave GAIS in janaury he will most likely move to a bigger team. 

•With a market value of 1,5 million euros, I do not think a deal can be reached for under 2 million Euros which would Smash Fredrikstad's transfer record.

[USABlue]

6 minutes ago, ROVER_N_OUT1978 said:

Possibly instead of Baradji as they seem very similar types

Whoever is cheapest then.

[USABlue]

4 minutes ago, alexanders said:

From a Twitter account:

Alexander Henriksson🇸🇪 • 16/04/2002

•Another signing that is marked by myself as a dream signing, although I think he is still worth mentioning. Henriksson plays his club football for Swedish top flight side GAIS.  During the 2024 Season, Henriksson played 26 games which 19 of them he started.  Predominately deployed as the attacking player in the midfield three in GAIS`s 4-3-3 formation.  

•A parallel can be drawn to Fredrikstad`s current creative output in Morten Bjørlo. The two players, while different share some of the creative and on the ball qualities. 

•The Ability to win the ball in the final 3rd of the pitch, and driving forward with the ball is something that is prominent in both players, and even more so in Axel Henriksson. A technically prominent midfielder combined with his athleticism and his towering 190cm, makes of a rare mould of a footballer.  

• Although Axel Henriksson is an attacking midfielder, some of his defensive numbers are also through the roof compared to comparable players 

- Aerial duels won: 42 (92nd percentile) 

- Duels won: 117 (77th percentile) 

- Possesion won in the final 3rd: (89th percentile)                                                  

• The 22-year-old also had an impressive season attacking wise, as he managed 8 goals and 3 assists from 19 starts in the Allsvenskan for a GAIS team that finished 6th. His numbers in the attacking numbers are as his defensive ones, impressive.  

- Goals: 8 (100th percentile) 

- Shots on target: 20 (100th percentile) 

- Touches in opposition box: 98 (95th percentile) 

• One of Henriksson`s abilities that impressed me the most is his positioning. In the instanced i have watched him, he always seems to be in the right spot, which speaks of a high footballing IQ. As previously mentioned, I find Henriksson to be a unique mould of footballer, and a mould of attacking midfielder you don't see very often. 

•This is made clear by the interest in him. At the time of writing, Polish club Rakov Czestochowa holds a strong interest in the player who`s contract runs out at the end of 2026, and as we fast approach the transfer window, I am sure there will be a lot of intrest in the player. As previously stated, i view Axel Henriksson as a dream signing, and aknowledge that should he leave GAIS in janaury he will most likely move to a bigger team. 

•With a market value of 1,5 million euros, I do not think a deal can be reached for under 2 million Euros which would Smash Fredrikstad's transfer record.

Sounds too good, must have a stress fracture or some other reason for it to fail.

[M_B]

6 minutes ago, alexanders said:

From a Twitter account:

Alexander Henriksson🇸🇪 • 16/04/2002

•Another signing that is marked by myself as a dream signing, although I think he is still worth mentioning. Henriksson plays his club football for Swedish top flight side GAIS.  During the 2024 Season, Henriksson played 26 games which 19 of them he started.  Predominately deployed as the attacking player in the midfield three in GAIS`s 4-3-3 formation.  

•A parallel can be drawn to Fredrikstad`s current creative output in Morten Bjørlo. The two players, while different share some of the creative and on the ball qualities. 

•The Ability to win the ball in the final 3rd of the pitch, and driving forward with the ball is something that is prominent in both players, and even more so in Axel Henriksson. A technically prominent midfielder combined with his athleticism and his towering 190cm, makes of a rare mould of a footballer.  

• Although Axel Henriksson is an attacking midfielder, some of his defensive numbers are also through the roof compared to comparable players 

- Aerial duels won: 42 (92nd percentile) 

- Duels won: 117 (77th percentile) 

- Possesion won in the final 3rd: (89th percentile)                                                  

• The 22-year-old also had an impressive season attacking wise, as he managed 8 goals and 3 assists from 19 starts in the Allsvenskan for a GAIS team that finished 6th. His numbers in the attacking numbers are as his defensive ones, impressive.  

- Goals: 8 (100th percentile) 

- Shots on target: 20 (100th percentile) 

- Touches in opposition box: 98 (95th percentile) 

• One of Henriksson`s abilities that impressed me the most is his positioning. In the instanced i have watched him, he always seems to be in the right spot, which speaks of a high footballing IQ. As previously mentioned, I find Henriksson to be a unique mould of footballer, and a mould of attacking midfielder you don't see very often. 

•This is made clear by the interest in him. At the time of writing, Polish club Rakov Czestochowa holds a strong interest in the player who`s contract runs out at the end of 2026, and as we fast approach the transfer window, I am sure there will be a lot of intrest in the player. As previously stated, i view Axel Henriksson as a dream signing, and aknowledge that should he leave GAIS in janaury he will most likely move to a bigger team. 

•With a market value of 1,5 million euros, I do not think a deal can be reached for under 2 million Euros which would Smash Fredrikstad's transfer record.

The music lads are dusting off Appetite for destruction as we speak. 

[bluebruce]

30 minutes ago, Penwortham Blue said:

I don’t rate Pears and Buckley has done nothing but gone backwards for the last 3 / 4 years. The thing that is fairly certain is that they are both towards the very top of the pay scale !

I don't think that's certain at all, especially in Buckley's case. I'd be stunned if he's one of our top 10 earners, and if he is we should try to find a suitor.

[JPTSwindon]

Pears and Buckley - may be a struggle to get them moved on.  I suspect Pears the more likely of the two, but after Buckley's poor stint at SW - will many want to pay his wages?  Shame, decent player in there.

[roversfan99]

7 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

half arsing recruitment? what planet do you live on. We are signing players that fit with how Ismael wants to play. Another 3 signing plus Miller gives you around 27 players. That should be more than enough. 

keeper - Toth Pears Michalski

RB - Alebiosu Miller

CB - Hyam Carter McLoughlin Wharton plus 1 more

LB - Pickering Ribeiro 

CM - Travis Tronstad Montgomery Tavares Forshaw Baradji 

RW - Hedges 1 more

AM - Tyjon Cantwell

LW - De Neve Karbgo

CF - Ohashi Gueye Leonard/or another one 

Probably an announcement on Monday given the team is away in Holland and most of the media guys will be there. 

I was going to ask whether as someone who predicted a mid table finish, whether surely 2 or 3 extra bits of quality on top of the 3 you would be happy with could potentially push us up and around the top 6.

But then I re-read. Just to clarify. You suggested that 3 signings would be enough including Miller who can cover centre back and right back. I and many others feel we need more.

You have then done yet another squad list, where you have added 5 new players, and continued with the same argument?

 

[bluebruce]

19 minutes ago, alexanders said:

•With a market value of 1,5 million euros, I do not think a deal can be reached for under 2 million Euros which would Smash Fredrikstad's transfer record.

Ah that's that then.

[Penwortham Blue]

7 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

I don't think that's certain at all, especially in Buckley's case. I'd be stunned if he's one of our top 10 earners, and if he is we should try to find a suitor.

He was dubbed a £10m player by Mowbray and the club were really keen to secure him on a 5 year deal. No way that he is on less than £12k, my guess is circa £15k.

[rovers11]

Swedish guy sounds a very credible link. He'll be back up to Cantwell.

For what it's worth, here's an AI generated scouting report on him:

---

🧾 SCOUTING REPORT: Axel Henriksson

🔹 Basic Information

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Per Axel Nils Henriksson
Date of Birth	16 April 2002 (Age 23)
Nationality	🇸🇪 Sweden
Height / Weight	1.89 m / ~75 kg
Preferred Foot	Right
Position(s)	CM, CAM (Attacking Midfielder)
Current Club	GAIS (Allsvenskan, Sweden)
Contract Expires	December 2026
Market Value	€1.2M (Transfermarkt, 2025)
EU Passport	✅ Yes

---

🔹 Technical Attributes

Skill	Rating (out of 10)	Notes
First Touch	8	Smooth under pressure, controls in tight areas
Passing – Short	7.5	Smart combinations, especially in the final third
Passing – Long	6.5	Capable but not a deep-lying distributor
Dribbling	7.5	Confident ball-carrier, good burst in midfield
Finishing	7.5	Times runs into the box well, composed shots
Crossing	6	Limited usage; not frequently wide

---

🔹 Tactical & Mental Attributes

Skill	Rating (out of 10)	Notes
Off-the-Ball Movement	8	Sharp movement, finds half-spaces consistently
Vision / Awareness	7.5	Reads attacking options well, plays clever passes
Work Rate	7	Tracks back but not naturally defensive
Positioning	6.5	Can be caught high or out of shape when defending
Decision-Making	7	Generally calm, still developing under pressure
Leadership	6.5	Confident but not vocal or dominant

---

🔹 Physical Attributes

Attribute	Rating (out of 10)	Notes
Acceleration	7	Decent burst but not electric
Stamina	8	Box-to-box engine, maintains high energy
Strength	6.5	Can be outmuscled by more physical mids
Agility	7	Moves well for his height
Injury Record	⚠️	Knee injury in 2021; has Crohn’s disease, managed well

---

🔹 2024–2025 Performance Snapshot (Allsvenskan)

Stat	Value
Appearances	26 (20 starts)
Goals	8
Assists	4
Avg Match Rating	7.12 (SofaScore)
Passing Accuracy	83%
Key Passes / 90	1.4
Shots / 90	2.2
Duels Won %	48%

---

🔹 Style of Play

• Role: Advanced Playmaker / Mezzala / Box-to-Box
• Likes to:
  • Drift between lines and receive on the half-turn
  • Make late runs into the box
  • Combine quickly in central areas
• Avoids:
  • Heavy defensive responsibility
  • Slowing play down

Player Comparison:

• Upside comp: Alex Scott (Bournemouth) or Emiliano Buendía
• Current comp: Jordan James (pre-Lazio) or Sammie Szmodics (less proven finisher)

---

🔹 Suitability for Championship

Category	Assessment
Technical Fit	✅ Yes – creative midfield roles, especially in 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3
Physical Readiness	⚠️ Needs adaptation – tempo and duels will be a step up
Tactical Awareness	🔁 Improving – press-resistant but positional discipline needed
Mentality	✅ Strong, resilient – managing Crohn’s while progressing
Transfer Risk	⚠️ Moderate – first move outside Sweden, needs transition time

---

🔹 Recommended Path

• Ideal as a depth or rotation option in the Championship first.
• Could thrive under possession-based systems (e.g. Swansea, Coventry).
• Alternatively, consider a stepping-stone move to:
  • Netherlands (Eredivisie)
  • Belgium (Jupiler Pro League)
  • Poland (Raków/Czestochowa already interested)

---

📝 Verdict

Rating: 7.3 / 10
Ceiling: High-end Championship starter or lower-tier Premier League squad player
Current Level: Top Allsvenskan / Championship squad option
Availability: Contracted until 2026, likely €1.5M–2M needed

“Smart, attack-minded midfielder with box-to-box drive and goal threat. Technically ready for the Championship, physically and tactically still developing. High-upside signing with the right integration plan.”

---

 

 

[roversfan99]

Just a few points on what Ismael said today.

Firstly obviously good news that we are close to a second player as well as Miller. We need a lot more but its a start. I was hoping that it would be a right winger but seemingly its more likely to be a midfielder. Our attack is badly short.

Ismael suggested that the Brittain sale has helped us in the market. That doesnt fit in with what Gestede has said in the past.

The Pears situation is strange. Understand freezing Buckley out, but we need a senior seconr choice, we cant have a kid in that position so if Pears goes then he needs replacing. Wonder if it is related to the hair transplant, or if he has reacted negatively to being potentially second choice.

Ismael also again mentioned "mistakes in the past" regarding contracts. He is in fot a shock unfortunately, there is no sign that we will learn from these mistakes. No contracts signed including Hyam who ws "close" weeks ago.

[roversfan99]

4 minutes ago, Penwortham Blue said:

He was dubbed a £10m player by Mowbray and the club were really keen to secure him on a 5 year deal. No way that he is on less than £12k, my guess is circa £15k.

I dont think Mowbray ever said that. 

No way is he on £15k either.

[roversfan99]

Again the risk would be him coming from a weaker league and whether he could translate his impressive numbers over. Seems more attacking than Baradji.

Henriksson has chrons which has caused him to miss games or not finish them:

https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/4Bd9eq/axel-henriksson-i-gais-beratttar-om-crohns-sjukdom

[Tomphil2]

20 minutes ago, Penwortham Blue said:

He was dubbed a £10m player by Mowbray and the club were really keen to secure him on a 5 year deal. No way that he is on less than £12k, my guess is circa £15k.

Doubtful, they'd have had him out the door way before now one way or another.

He was another academy grad who was on peanuts until they tied him down so he'll be on about 5 or 6 grand a week hence they don't seem to mind him hanging around.

[Penwortham Blue]

13 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I dont think Mowbray ever said that. 

No way is he on £15k either.

Possible that I am wrong but my recollection is that he said that he had the makings of a £10m player. He signed a 5 year contract in 2022 before the budget cuts and they were securing an asset that they believed had EPL potential, I don’t think he will be on much less that £750k a year.

[roversfan99]

1 minute ago, Penwortham Blue said:

Possible that I am wrong but my recollection is that he said that he had the makings of a £10m player. He signed a 5 year contract in 2022 before the budget cuts and they were securing an asset that they believed had EPL potential, I don’t think he will be on much less that £750k a year.

Arent you thinking of Paul Mani who said it? (Well, that people in the club said it)

No way is he on that much. Hes an academy graduate so he would obviously have been on a very small wage before, he wouldnt have needed such a large lift to keep him.

[Commondore]

Henriksson is a good player, somewhat similar to Travis but more attack-minded. He’s energetic, a good presser, likes to get stuck in and can both run at a defence and arrive late in the box to finish, has a decent shot as well. He’s not silky smooth on the ball though, and I wouldn’t expect him to regularly thread inch-perfect passes to forwards. 

[47er]

10 hours ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

So as called by a few on here the bid isn’t real then it seems 

None of us tbought it was  genuine , just saying why we disagreed with it anyway.

[JCRovers]

37 minutes ago, rovers11 said:

Swedish guy sounds a very credible link. He'll be back up to Cantwell.

For what it's worth, here's an AI generated scouting report on him:

---

🧾 SCOUTING REPORT: Axel Henriksson

🔹 Basic Information

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Per Axel Nils Henriksson
Date of Birth	16 April 2002 (Age 23)
Nationality	🇸🇪 Sweden
Height / Weight	1.89 m / ~75 kg
Preferred Foot	Right
Position(s)	CM, CAM (Attacking Midfielder)
Current Club	GAIS (Allsvenskan, Sweden)
Contract Expires	December 2026
Market Value	€1.2M (Transfermarkt, 2025)
EU Passport	✅ Yes

---

🔹 Technical Attributes

Skill	Rating (out of 10)	Notes
First Touch	8	Smooth under pressure, controls in tight areas
Passing – Short	7.5	Smart combinations, especially in the final third
Passing – Long	6.5	Capable but not a deep-lying distributor
Dribbling	7.5	Confident ball-carrier, good burst in midfield
Finishing	7.5	Times runs into the box well, composed shots
Crossing	6	Limited usage; not frequently wide

---

🔹 Tactical & Mental Attributes

Skill	Rating (out of 10)	Notes
Off-the-Ball Movement	8	Sharp movement, finds half-spaces consistently
Vision / Awareness	7.5	Reads attacking options well, plays clever passes
Work Rate	7	Tracks back but not naturally defensive
Positioning	6.5	Can be caught high or out of shape when defending
Decision-Making	7	Generally calm, still developing under pressure
Leadership	6.5	Confident but not vocal or dominant

---

🔹 Physical Attributes

Attribute	Rating (out of 10)	Notes
Acceleration	7	Decent burst but not electric
Stamina	8	Box-to-box engine, maintains high energy
Strength	6.5	Can be outmuscled by more physical mids
Agility	7	Moves well for his height
Injury Record	⚠️	Knee injury in 2021; has Crohn’s disease, managed well

---

🔹 2024–2025 Performance Snapshot (Allsvenskan)

Stat	Value
Appearances	26 (20 starts)
Goals	8
Assists	4
Avg Match Rating	7.12 (SofaScore)
Passing Accuracy	83%
Key Passes / 90	1.4
Shots / 90	2.2
Duels Won %	48%

---

🔹 Style of Play

• Role: Advanced Playmaker / Mezzala / Box-to-Box
• Likes to:
  • Drift between lines and receive on the half-turn
  • Make late runs into the box
  • Combine quickly in central areas
• Avoids:
  • Heavy defensive responsibility
  • Slowing play down

Player Comparison:

• Upside comp: Alex Scott (Bournemouth) or Emiliano Buendía
• Current comp: Jordan James (pre-Lazio) or Sammie Szmodics (less proven finisher)

---

🔹 Suitability for Championship

Category	Assessment
Technical Fit	✅ Yes – creative midfield roles, especially in 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3
Physical Readiness	⚠️ Needs adaptation – tempo and duels will be a step up
Tactical Awareness	🔁 Improving – press-resistant but positional discipline needed
Mentality	✅ Strong, resilient – managing Crohn’s while progressing
Transfer Risk	⚠️ Moderate – first move outside Sweden, needs transition time

---

🔹 Recommended Path

• Ideal as a depth or rotation option in the Championship first.
• Could thrive under possession-based systems (e.g. Swansea, Coventry).
• Alternatively, consider a stepping-stone move to:
  • Netherlands (Eredivisie)
  • Belgium (Jupiler Pro League)
  • Poland (Raków/Czestochowa already interested)

---

📝 Verdict

Rating: 7.3 / 10
Ceiling: High-end Championship starter or lower-tier Premier League squad player
Current Level: Top Allsvenskan / Championship squad option
Availability: Contracted until 2026, likely €1.5M–2M needed

“Smart, attack-minded midfielder with box-to-box drive and goal threat. Technically ready for the Championship, physically and tactically still developing. High-upside signing with the right integration plan.”

---

 

 

Pretty impressive report I must say. I see a few sources mentioned regarding match ratings and market value but where is it getting all the attribute ratings from? Has the AI been watching clips on Youtube? hahaha. 

Seriously though, he looks a decent player. Biggest problem will be adjusting to a higher tempo as Swedish Allsvenskan isn't as fast-paced and playing / being available for 46 matches in a season. Let's see what happens. 

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

28 minutes ago, JCRovers said:

Pretty impressive report I must say. I see a few sources mentioned regarding match ratings and market value but where is it getting all the attribute ratings from? Has the AI been watching clips on Youtube? hahaha. 

Seriously though, he looks a decent player. Biggest problem will be adjusting to a higher tempo as Swedish Allsvenskan isn't as fast-paced and playing / being available for 46 matches in a season. Let's see what happens. 

 

With Crohns disease ?

Edited 20 minutes ago by Tyrone Shoelaces