Well seems like with all these international breaks, and us languishing, the rumours of ins and outs are rife.
Chuck anything 'worthy' of discussion on this thread...
--------------
Incomings:
Pablo Felipe - €21m + €3m (Gil Vicente) | Forward
Valentin 'Taty' Castellanos - €26m + €4m (Lazio) | Forward
Adama Traore - £2m + £1m if stay up (Fulham) | Forward
Axel Disasi - Loan (Chelsea) | Centre Back
Keiber Lamadrid - £150k + £1m option | Attacking Mid
Outgoings:
Nicolas Füllkrug - 6 months loan (AC Milan)
Luis Guilherme - £17m + Sell On % (Sporting Lisbon)
George Earthy - 6 months loan (Bristol City)
Callum Marshall - 6 months loan (Bochum)
Andy Irving - 1.5m (Sparta Prague)
Guido Rodriguez - Undisclosed (Valencia)
Igor Julio - Loan Cancelled (Brighton)
James Ward Prowse - 6 months loan (Burnley)
Lucas Paqueta - £36.5m + Buy Back Clause (Flamengo)
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 06 Jan 2026, 11:33
by Massive Attack
He reminds me a lot of Calamity James. Goes from the sublime to the ridiculous and guess where we ended up with him between the sticks..
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 06 Jan 2026, 11:20
by Come On You Irons
Areola is performing as he always does. Excellent shot stopper, but awful distribution and flappy when dealing with crosses. His blunders cost us goals against Burnley and Brighton.
If he was better at distribution and dealing with crosses he would be at a top club.
dealcanvey wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 08:50
Areola is the least of our problems.
None of these signings are going to be keeping us up nor prepare us for the championship.
We need CBs and STs plus a winger familiar with the premier league.
When their was talk of Toney and Traore I thought to myself that gives us a chance.
Random scatter gun striker signings from abroad which will receive little to no service. We have seen that many times before.
Desperation.
We've conceded a record amount of set play goals this season, and you reckon the keeper is the least of our problems?
Blimey.
Areola really is not performing that badly.
In the top 3 for most saves made in the league but that is to be expected with the amount of shots he faces. 2nd and 1st have both played 4 more games than him aswell.
Overall Opta have him a mid table in comparison to other keepers.
If the rest of the team perform at his level in their own positions we would not be where we are now.
Easy to point the finger at Areola but he has a very bad defence in front of him which needs sorting before we even think about signing another keeper.
dealcanvey wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 08:50
Areola is the least of our problems.
None of these signings are going to be keeping us up nor prepare us for the championship.
We need CBs and STs plus a winger familiar with the premier league.
When their was talk of Toney and Traore I thought to myself that gives us a chance.
Random scatter gun striker signings from abroad which will receive little to no service. We have seen that many times before.
Desperation.
We've conceded a record amount of set play goals this season, and you reckon the keeper is the least of our problems?
Blimey.
West Ham have conceded from 11 corners and 0 free kicks this season. Of those 11, Hermansen conceded 6 in the 4 games he played. Not so much an Areola problem really.
Blimey!
Agree. The stat which gets brought up every time we are on telly of the number in the season as a whole needs a bit of context which is never given. 8 or 9 of those goals came in five matches against Potter's West Ham with the insane way they lined up to defend set pieces and as you say over half of them were in four games from the other keeper. Other wise it's three in about 15. You can put a tonne of it down to Potter, Pelach and Hernamsen.
dealcanvey wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 08:50
Areola is the least of our problems.
None of these signings are going to be keeping us up nor prepare us for the championship.
We need CBs and STs plus a winger familiar with the premier league.
When their was talk of Toney and Traore I thought to myself that gives us a chance.
Random scatter gun striker signings from abroad which will receive little to no service. We have seen that many times before.
Desperation.
We've conceded a record amount of set play goals this season, and you reckon the keeper is the least of our problems?
Blimey.
West Ham have conceded from 11 corners and 0 free kicks this season. Of those 11, Hermansen conceded 6 in the 4 games he played. Not so much an Areola problem really.
dealcanvey wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 08:50
Areola is the least of our problems.
None of these signings are going to be keeping us up nor prepare us for the championship.
We need CBs and STs plus a winger familiar with the premier league.
When their was talk of Toney and Traore I thought to myself that gives us a chance.
Random scatter gun striker signings from abroad which will receive little to no service. We have seen that many times before.
Desperation.
Unfortunately the phrase 'beggars can't be choosers' somewhat applies. We're not the most attractive proposition in the world, are operating on some level of financial constraints, and the likes of Toney come with big financial problems owing to their wages and tax situation.
Hopefully at least one of these strikers hits the ground running and gives us the presence and work rate up top to allow us to be more effective.
Agreed re the defence. Areola is a problem though...he's still bad at crosses, he's still bad at distribution. These are all important things not just in keeping the ball out of the net, but also in providing confidence to the backline, and not conceding cheap possession when under pressure.
By all accounts it looks like we want a CB to play with Todibo, and a winger, and a keeper.
It's a lot of surgery for January, but at least the Club are making moves in that regards.
I'm not sure the constraints really are there. We are always told there is no money and low and behold they pluck nearly 50m from nowhere for these two.
Both strikers are a 45m shot in the dark and praying one is a hit. Maybe we get lucky and one of them turns into our Demba Ba but with our track record it is highly unlikely. Wilson has exceeded our expectations and i don't think Nuno has used him enough nor given him enough service from having attacking players around him. I dont see Nunos approach being any different with these two.
Pretty sure we sold 49% of our ladies team for 50m. Suspect that's where this money has come from.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 06 Jan 2026, 10:26
by Mad Ferret
I can't work out why Fab hasn't been restored in goal.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 06 Jan 2026, 10:01
by Eerie Decent
dealcanvey wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 08:50
Areola is the least of our problems.
None of these signings are going to be keeping us up nor prepare us for the championship.
We need CBs and STs plus a winger familiar with the premier league.
When their was talk of Toney and Traore I thought to myself that gives us a chance.
Random scatter gun striker signings from abroad which will receive little to no service. We have seen that many times before.
Desperation.
We've conceded a record amount of set play goals this season, and you reckon the keeper is the least of our problems?
dealcanvey wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 08:50
Areola is the least of our problems.
None of these signings are going to be keeping us up nor prepare us for the championship.
We need CBs and STs plus a winger familiar with the premier league.
When their was talk of Toney and Traore I thought to myself that gives us a chance.
Random scatter gun striker signings from abroad which will receive little to no service. We have seen that many times before.
Desperation.
Unfortunately the phrase 'beggars can't be choosers' somewhat applies. We're not the most attractive proposition in the world, are operating on some level of financial constraints, and the likes of Toney come with big financial problems owing to their wages and tax situation.
Hopefully at least one of these strikers hits the ground running and gives us the presence and work rate up top to allow us to be more effective.
Agreed re the defence. Areola is a problem though...he's still bad at crosses, he's still bad at distribution. These are all important things not just in keeping the ball out of the net, but also in providing confidence to the backline, and not conceding cheap possession when under pressure.
By all accounts it looks like we want a CB to play with Todibo, and a winger, and a keeper.
It's a lot of surgery for January, but at least the Club are making moves in that regards.
I'm not sure the constraints really are there. We are always told there is no money and low and behold they pluck nearly 50m from nowhere for these two.
Both strikers are a 45m shot in the dark and praying one is a hit. Maybe we get lucky and one of them turns into our Demba Ba but with our track record it is highly unlikely. Wilson has exceeded our expectations and i don't think Nuno has used him enough nor given him enough service from having attacking players around him. I dont see Nunos approach being any different with these two.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 06 Jan 2026, 09:19
by eusebiovic
The thing is Todibo wouldn't be so unmotivated if he had a half decent defender alongside him. I actually think Mavropanos would be more than O.K if he knew there was somebody to sweep up behind him. Trouble is, Todibo/Mavro don't look a comfortable pairing together but both would both be much better with a really good player next to them.
That is solely down to our pin the tail on the donkey recruitment which comes back to the old Einstein quote about doing the same thing each time and expecting a different result. Madness.
In this day and age it shouldn't be difficult to sign players that compliment each other rather than the tried and tested shitshow that our senile dictator and plastic woman keep shovelling up every season.
Kilman is a shocker - a centre back with no leadership skills and if Igor was any good he would already be ahead of the other rabble. But there we go again, another centre half with the turning circle of the QE2.
Marvelous!
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 06 Jan 2026, 09:13
by stubbo-admin
dealcanvey wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 08:50
Areola is the least of our problems.
None of these signings are going to be keeping us up nor prepare us for the championship.
We need CBs and STs plus a winger familiar with the premier league.
When their was talk of Toney and Traore I thought to myself that gives us a chance.
Random scatter gun striker signings from abroad which will receive little to no service. We have seen that many times before.
Desperation.
Unfortunately the phrase 'beggars can't be choosers' somewhat applies. We're not the most attractive proposition in the world, are operating on some level of financial constraints, and the likes of Toney come with big financial problems owing to their wages and tax situation.
Hopefully at least one of these strikers hits the ground running and gives us the presence and work rate up top to allow us to be more effective.
Agreed re the defence. Areola is a problem though...he's still bad at crosses, he's still bad at distribution. These are all important things not just in keeping the ball out of the net, but also in providing confidence to the backline, and not conceding cheap possession when under pressure.
By all accounts it looks like we want a CB to play with Todibo, and a winger, and a keeper.
It's a lot of surgery for January, but at least the Club are making moves in that regards.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 06 Jan 2026, 08:50
by dealcanvey
Areola is the least of our problems.
None of these signings are going to be keeping us up nor prepare us for the championship.
We need CBs and STs plus a winger familiar with the premier league.
When their was talk of Toney and Traore I thought to myself that gives us a chance.
Random scatter gun striker signings from abroad which will receive little to no service. We have seen that many times before.
Desperation.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 06 Jan 2026, 08:49
by Ron Eff
Eerie Decent" wrote: ↑05 Jan 2026, 22:38
I think Areola gets a pass because of how shit the centre backs are, but he's part of the problem. You do not concede from set plays like we do, possibly the worst Premier League team ever in that regard, and the keeper is blameless, I reckon you could count on one hand the amount of times he has actually caught the ball this season.
The wonder saves haven't pulled the wool over my eyes, the club did try to address it in the summer, sadly, they got it wrong.
I agree. The Brighton equaliser was a combo of Areola and Kilman being scared to head the ball but the keeper should be wiping all out to get there.
He is in my opinion one of, if not the best in the league for pulling off the remarkable but that only carries so much weight when you’re poor at basics.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 06 Jan 2026, 08:37
by Sir Alf
From some Belgian media outlet. Not what we need now probably but good for next season in the Fizzy pop?
West Ham, on the other hand, have shown considerable interest in the 22-year-old. Zulte Waregem seem to be prepared to lose the Nigeria international this month.Het Nieuwsblad echo GVA’s claim and add that the Hammers have had their eyes set on the Nigerian for some time.Nnadi is currently at AFCON and has made only one appearance in the tournament.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 06 Jan 2026, 08:32
by Sir Alf
CBs asap and 2 of them and another midfielder or two to allow some rotation in midfield. I guess if he starts playing 3 in midfield from Paqueta, Potts, Fernandes and Magassa that will give him one decent sub but still think we need a warrior in there with something left in his legs.
And whoever comes in needs to be decent as CBs. Cresswell and a loan for Axe although injuries are tye problem with him. But someone experienced alongside Cresswell or Todibo means we dont have to play Kilman at all and Stavros just as a sub.
Not asking for much am I? Hence dont expect it to happen.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 05 Jan 2026, 23:01
by Eerie Decent
CB's definitely the priority, but if we have the wiggle room to get a keeper, I'd have that next on the list.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 05 Jan 2026, 22:43
by El Scorchio
I agree he's part, but the chasm at CB makes me far more nervous than Areola does. If that's also fixed then happy days but this surely is a lower priority as things stand. Areola won't relegate us, but Kilman and Mav will.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 05 Jan 2026, 22:38
by Eerie Decent
I think Areola gets a pass because of how shit the centre backs are, but he's part of the problem. You do not concede from set plays like we do, possibly the worst Premier League team ever in that regard, and the keeper is blameless, I reckon you could count on one hand the amount of times he has actually caught the ball this season.
The wonder saves haven't pulled the wool over my eyes, the club did try to address it in the summer, sadly, they got it wrong.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 05 Jan 2026, 21:33
by stubbo-admin
Looks decent to me. Tremendous long ball distribution too.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 05 Jan 2026, 20:57
by El Scorchio
With a name like BENTO he should be good at commanding the BOX
Seriously though, I'm not sure keeper is really a priority here unless it's cheap backup to Areola. He's been one of the few who hasn't done a lot wrong this season.
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 05 Jan 2026, 20:44
by Electric Retro-pants
Let's hope Bento can keep hold of his balls between his sticks!
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 05 Jan 2026, 20:44
by twoleftfeet
Come On You Irons" wrote: ↑05 Jan 2026, 19:38
Oh look. We are linked with another Portuguese speaker. Is his agent Jorge Mendes by any chance?
This stinks. Nuno and his agent are taking the piss out of our club and it's OAP chairman.
Made yourself look stupid again haven’t you
Re: Winter '25/26 Transfer Rumours Thread
Posted: 05 Jan 2026, 20:39
by Eerie Decent
Let's just hope Bento's entering the fray at West Ham.
