The January 2026 Transfer Window

[Roversider]

One area that appears not on the Agenda is using the loan market to bring players in.  There is a logic in saying we need to provide a path for our Academy players and not spend tight cash on expensive youth players from the Premier.  However I expect there to be incoming loans for players heading towards the end of contract who need to be offloaded by their clubs.  That gives a big question of whether that will be a source of any quality players.

Ben Gibson from Stoke is being touted, it's suggested he is on an eye-watering £35k per week at the Potters, can't believe the number but he's clearly on a big deal and isn't being played.  He also had a torrid time at Burnley so if he was brought in (lots of experience) it would be our luck to have the Dingles laugh at us for bringing in problems to the squad.

What is clear is that we need  experience, fitness and quality, not untried, crocked or poor.  It's not about numbers.

Gestede needs to demonstrate that he has been doing his homework and that he has learned from what has gone before.

I am pretty pessimistic and looking at potential away days in League 1. 😦

[benhben]

17 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

 

 

I heard other Champ sides are interested, if thats the case we've got no chance of competing. If I was the player, looking at the circus that is us and our league position, Id also wait to see what other offers come in before agreeing to anything.

[Comfortably numb]

Alebiosu already being linked away, though I imagine this is bs to be honest. Rudy must be rubbing his hands though , £4m for someone whose probably cost a tenth of that 6 months ago. The project is working ....

https://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/1299027330?-11198:839

[chaddyrovers]

46 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Oh dear

Have they outbid us again?

or we weren't interested or decide to target a different player could be more suitable point 

[KentExile]

1 minute ago, chaddyrovers said:

or we weren't interested or decide to target a different player could be more suitable point 

yes, and the choice to bring in Tavares rather than De Keersmaecker was made for purely footballing, non financial reasons

[chaddyrovers]

10 minutes ago, KentExile said:

yes, and the choice to bring in Tavares rather than De Keersmaecker was made for purely footballing, non financial reasons

Didn't both players cost the same? around 2m each? 

Has De Keersmaeker been playing well for them? 

[RTM08]

2 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Didn't both players cost the same? around 2m each? 

Has De Keersmaeker been playing well for them? 

Actually playing for them automatically makes him a better investment than Tavares who doesn't even make the bench when we're down to the U21s.

[LDRover]

39 minutes ago, benhben said:

I heard other Champ sides are interested, if thats the case we've got no chance of competing. If I was the player, looking at the circus that is us and our league position, Id also wait to see what other offers come in before agreeing to anything.

Even if there aren't other champ clubs interested I'd stay at Barnsley if I was him

[Crimpshrine]

29 minutes ago, Comfortably numb said:

Alebiosu already being linked away, though I imagine this is bs to be honest. Rudy must be rubbing his hands though , £4m for someone whose probably cost a tenth of that 6 months ago. The project is working ....

https://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/1299027330?-11198:839

https://www.goodisonnews.com/2026/01/02/everton-prepare-multi-million-transfer-offer-for-ex-arsenal-defender-ryan-alebiosu/

[RoyWegerlesLeftToe]

1 hour ago, Comfortably numb said:

Alebiosu already being linked away, though I imagine this is bs to be honest. Rudy must be rubbing his hands though , £4m for someone whose probably cost a tenth of that 6 months ago. The project is working ....

https://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/1299027330?-11198:839

I like the irony of this popping up when I clicked that link.

 

[Hasta]

47 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Didn't both players cost the same? around 2m each? 

Has De Keersmaeker been playing well for them? 

Yes. They think he's a class above what else they've got.

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Hasta

[pick32]

Derby already signed two players no excuses 

[JHRover]

I'm convinced that one of the main reasons for Gestede getting the job he has is that he has sold himself to the Indians / goon in the shadows as someone who has extensive knowledge and contacts and that by avoiding the loan market we will develop assets on the cheap which will make them more money. Or alternatively that they have given him the job and instructed him to do this rather than the past approach of going to Brighton/Liverpool etc. and begging for players.

All comes back to them trying to impress the higher ups and keep their jobs on the gravy train - Alebiosu working out well and Gudjohnsen too so a sale of one or both for a good profit keeps the money men happy 

[DE.]

26 minutes ago, Hasta said:

Yes. They think he's a class above what else they've got.

 

Yeah, he's their best player by some distance. Tavares is not comparable in any way. Will Lankshear has been decent for them on loan from Spurs as well. 

[chaddyrovers]

16 minutes ago, pick32 said:

Derby already signed two players no excuses 

Yes Sanderson for the 6th time in the 9 transfer windows

[roversfan99]

When he signed for us it didnt get the same sarcastic comments.

Eustace knows him etc.

[wilsdenrover]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

When he signed for us it didnt get the same sarcastic comments.

Eustace knows him etc.

I seem to recall it being a ‘no brainer’

[RoversClitheroe]

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Didn't both players cost the same? around 2m each? 

Has De Keersmaeker been playing well for them? 

You think Tavares cost £2m 😂😂 fucking hell

[pick32]

41 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Yes Sanderson for the 6th time in the 9 transfer windows

I’d take him back over the crap we have, would be our 1st choice cb

[wilsdenrover]

7 minutes ago, RoversClitheroe said:

You think Tavares cost £2m 😂😂 fucking hell

This could be your chance to shift those magic beans…

[London blue]

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

or we weren't interested or decide to target a different player could be more suitable point 

What is your game? Honestly fella I don't get your angle.

[KentExile]

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Didn't both players cost the same? around 2m each? 

Has De Keersmaeker been playing well for them? 

The fee quoted for Tavares includes many more add ons and was a substantially lower guaranteed (and initial) fee

Oxford also outbid us on wages for De Keersmaeker

De Keersmaeker has been performing to a much higher level than Tavares, which admittedly is a low bar.

Edited 1 hour ago by KentExile

[briansol]

7 minutes ago, pick32 said:

I’d take him back over the crap we have, would be our 1st choice cb

While we all agree that the current bunch of defenders is not great, Sanderson is not an improvement. 

Strangely enough, I just discovered that the current bunch of misfits have the 7th best defensive record in the Championship. 

Our biggest issue seems to be chance conversion as we have the worst record in the Championship for those who care about XG (Expected Goals). Incidentally Derby is in the opposite end. They are worst in class when it comes to creating chances/conceding chances, but their high conversion rate has given them more points. 

They should be below us, but the difference between Carlton Morris finishing and Ohashi's wastefulness make all the difference. 

[DutchRover]

Alebiosu links are a worry, Suhail and Gestede will be delighted, flip him for a 3m profit after just 6 months wages, that's their dream.

Would be a disaster to sell him, so basically guarantees we do it anyway...

[Arte et labore 1987]

I think we are miles off it from an attacking sense and have a serious amount of work to do, defensively I think we have enough in the squad to keep us up and the stats show it. 
 

I don’t think ohashi is a natural striker I think he’s better in the wide areas or as a 10 so we actually have 1 out and out striker. 
 

The window in my opinion should look as follows 

Out 

Ribiero, de Neve (loan), forshaw (release) gueye tyjon 

in 

2 x centre forward (1 capable of playing wide) 

One central midfielder with potential goal threat 

LWB 

RWB 

I think that would cover us for playing a 5 or a 4 in the future. 
huge lack of pace in the side too so that needs addressing. 
 

as for the club if venkys aren’t going to sell they need to completely change the board, I also think the CEO should be somebody qualified and local/ a fan, with a direct line into them. I think that’s the only way they will get any sort of engagement from the fan base now.