Official Transfer Window Thread - Summer 2026

SeasideEssexXile

Vital Football Legend
All the rumours, gossip for the upcoming transfer window here.
First one of this window:

Pete O'Rourke on X:
"Blackpool are eyeing a move for Dunfermline defender Kieran Ngwenya on a free transfer. Blackpool have watched the centre-back, who is out of contract this summer, on several occasions this season.
6' full back.
Will know Clarkson from Aberdeen.
View attachment 89043
 
Sounds like a Husband replacement to me.

Priorities for the summer:
- Goalkeeper.
- RB x 2
- DM. Anderson would be ideal.
- Winger. Perhaps the lad from Barnet we were linked with in January.

Sounds daft after the season we've just had but there's not that many spaces free in the squad. We're pretty set up front with 4 good strikers, got some decent players in the middle of the park (Brown, Honeyman, Clarkson). Even CB - Horsfall and Casey are first choice, if Ihiekwe can resolve his injury there's not a massive glaring hole there.

I'd like to improve at LB as well - but a decent set of loanees plugs a lot of those gaps (as much as i'd love permanents!).
 
Winger? Jordan Thomas from Cheltenham if we could still afford him. I agree with you that we have the basis of a decent squad but apparently Evo wants to tear it up and start over. Madness in mho.
 
We'll need x2 GKs
Can't afford PF wages and Raviollis' on his way home.
Lyons time is over, so a RB is required.
I'd definitely sign Walters - he has improved and shows potential.
Last few years we have started a season without a specialist RB. We have had so e great loans, Sterling, Offiah, Imray but time for us to get this headache sorted.
@inside_man I don't think the left footed CH is for Husband - although Husband should be binned I think thats Caseys time up.
He's desperate to get away, as is Morgan. They want the big bucks that some of the other recently signed players are on and its a unsustainable model.
I can see them both off - as they enter option yr for a fee.
LB - Husbands' number is up. That NYD sending off started a calamitous run off, stripped of captaincy he's just too slow for the Evatt model.
I like Coulson but he just isn't physically big enough as a LB and could see that being a loan spot.
Horsfall will be retained, no 20, I hope we can reach a mutual agreement and kick him in to.the long grass - using his non toe related other foot.
Ashcroft - Evatts clearly not a fan. He returned to WBA after Evatt tossed him out of the team and back to his parent club. Me - I'd keep him, as he can cover LB/ CH
So that leaves x2 CBs required.
Midfield, Brown has come in to his own now they have finally realised his best position. Clarkson- this'll is going to be a huge player for us. His set piece delivery is excellent.
Coulson on the left, I think CJ will be kept but his times getting close.
We have had a good look at Anderson, if only we knew about him last yr when we had a crying screaming Apter kicking daily at Bruces' door.
Anderson should be our no1 target for this summer. Has an engine has a presence and has goals in him.
Honeyman - top ££ earner. We are looking to move him on.
We'll need another in there if we do.
I wouldn't take Randall on, he hasn't shown enough. The worry us Evatt blows a lot if ££ on fee and wages to sign him🙈
Taylor is a no1 starter.
Blox is a must keep. Let's build up his strength and. Fitness, so he isn't blowing out of his @rris after 60mins.
Ennis - is unhappy, his @rris tells us that. A fit Ennis is a good asset not sure if we will see his previous good form again.
Fletcher - coming up.to 31. Won everything- POTY wise, but I'd sell whilst his stock is high.

Other than that little movement🤣
I honestly think its going to be chaos player wise🙈

Management team.
Evatt - there's concerns the baggage has reached the airport carousel and has already been collected.
Thommo - is a must sign but that'll upset Evatt.
Dobbie Banks need moving on.
Crainey - that should be Thommos job.
Director of Football - I think this will be Gary Bowyer. The club has a low stock across the gane, the court case, fans being allowed to bollock players, huge numbers of ins/outs etc.
Bowlers well respected. Let him be the face of BFC off the pitch.
Burton safe, he can't do much more there, bring him back.

Other than that, a quiet summer.
 
Some pertinent comments on players there Sexy. I would love Anderson.....a real scrapper.
For me the big question is whether we stick or twist with Evo. I was all for giving him a chance and his primary brief has been fulfilled but I am unconvinced that he is the man to take us forward.
 
We'll need x2 GKs
Can't afford PF wages and Raviollis' on his way home.
Lyons time is over, so a RB is required.
I'd definitely signed Walters - he has improved and shows potential.
Last few years we have started a season without a specialist RB. We have had so e great loans, Sterling, Offiah, Imray but time for us to get this headache sorted.
@inside_man I don't think the left footed CH is for Husband - although Husband should be binned I think thats Caseys time up.
He's desperate to get away, as is Morgan. They want the big bucks that some of the other recently signed players are on and its a unsustainable model.
I can see them both off - as they enter option yr for a fee.
LB - Husbands' number is up. That NYD sending off started a calamitous run off, stripped of captaincy he's just too slow for the Evatt model.
I like Coulson but he just isn't physically big enough as a LB and could see that being a loan spot.
Horsfall will be retained, no 20, I hope we can reach a mutual agreement and kick him in to.the long grass - using his non toe related other foot.
Anderson - Evatts clearly not a fan. He returned to WBA after Evatt tossed him out of the team and back to his parent club. Me - I'd keep him, as he can cover LB/ CH
So that leaves x2 CBs required.
Midfield, Brown has come in to his own now they have finally realised his best position. Clarkson- this'll is going to be a huge player for us. His set piece delivery is excellent.
Coulson on the left, I think CJ will be kept but his times getting close.
We have had a good look at Anderson, if only we knew about the Charlton two last yr when we had a crying screaming Apter kicking daily at Bruces' door.
Anderson should be our no1 target for this summer. Has an engine has a presence and has goals in him.
Honeyman - top ££ earner. We are looking to move him on.
We'll need another in there if we do.
I wouldn't take Randall on, he hasn't shown enough. The worry us Evatt blows a lot if ££ on fee and wages to sign him🙈
Taylor is a no1 starter.
Blox is a must keep. Let's build up his strength and. Fitness, so he isn't blowing out of his @rris after 60mins.
Ennis - is unhappy, his @rris tells us that. A fit Ennis is a good asset not sure if we will see his previous good form again.
Fletcher - coming up.to 31. Won everything- POTY wise, but I'd sell whilst his stock is high.

Other than that little movement🤣
I honestly think its going to be chaos player wise🙈

Management team.
Evatt - there's concerns the baggage has reached the airport carousel and has already been collected.
Thommo - is a must sign but that'll upset Evatt.
Dobbie Banks need moving on.
Crainey - that should be Thommos job.
Director of Football - I think this will be Gary Bowyer. The club has a low stock across the gane, the court case, fans being allowed to bollock players, huge numbers of ins/outs etc.
Bowlers well respected. Let him be the face of BFC off the pitch.
Burton safe, he can't do much more there, bring him back.

Other than that, a quiet summer.
I agree with much of this Sex.

I believe Evatt will be given the opportunity to push us up the league next season. With some sensible signings (including loans) I can see us playing more attractive football especially at home. The last few games have shown we have become difficult to beat and I’m sure we will build on this.

All in all, with a proper pre season where players are fully fit from the get go, there is every reason to be optimistic. Bruce’s tenure was a disaster and I don’t think the club will make the same mistakes.

As Bob H always reminds us…it is the hope that kills you!
 
Last edited:
Thanks to Abel for the current state of play:

Here's a reminder of where we stand with our squad:

Bailey Peacock-Farrell Out of contract
Franco Ravizzoli 2027 plus option

1 Andy Lyons Out of contract but has option
2 CJ Hamilton Out of contract but has option

3 Hayden Coulson 2027
4 Zak Ashworth 2027 plus option

5 Olly Casey Out of contract but has option
6 Fraser Horsfall 2029
7 James Husband Out of contract but has option
8 Michael Ihiekwe 2028
9 Dan Sassi Out of contract but has option

10 Jordan Brown 2029 plus option
11 Leighton Clarkson 2028 plus option
12 Albie Morgan Out of contract but has option
13 George Honeyman 2027 plus option
14 Ryan Finnigan Out of contract but has option
15 Josh Bowler 2027 plus option

16 Ashley Fletcher Out of contract but has option
17 Niall Ennis 2027 plus option
18 Dale Taylor 2029 plus option
19 Tom Bloxham 2028 plus option
20 Kylian Kouassi Out of contract but has option

League One squad rules:
- 22 players (minimum of 8 home grown)
- U21s don't count towards squad limit
- Goalkeepers don't count towards squad limit
- Loan players count towards squad limit (unless U21)

Championship squad rules:
- 25 players (minimum of 8 home grown)
- U21s don't count towards squad limit (unless on loan)
- Goalkeepers count towards squad limit
- Loan players count towards squad limit

For the 2026/7 season, U21 players are classed as being born on or after 1st January 2005
 
Looking at Andersons insta post - think.its the last we have seen of him in tangerine😞
He’s on a long contract still at Charlton isn’t he? Only 21, played for them last year when they got promoted.

At best I’d imagine it’s another loan at the end of the transfer window depending how his preseason goes.
 
I'd very much like to see us go after Ryan Glover from Barnet, as was rumoured in January. They missed out on the playoffs and he's too good for League 2.

Winger - but a bit of the CJ-type flexibility where you could see him deployed as a wing back if we stuck with that system.
 
I'd very much like to see us go after Ryan Glover from Barnet, as was rumoured in January. They missed out on the playoffs and he's too good for League 2.

Winger - but a bit of the CJ-type flexibility where you could see him deployed as a wing back if we stuck with that system.
Barnet fans said he was too good for the 3rd Div and was Championship level at least
 
We'll need x2 GKs
Can't afford PF wages and Raviollis' on his way home.
Lyons time is over, so a RB is required.
I'd definitely sign Walters - he has improved and shows potential.
Last few years we have started a season without a specialist RB. We have had so e great loans, Sterling, Offiah, Imray but time for us to get this headache sorted.
@inside_man I don't think the left footed CH is for Husband - although Husband should be binned I think thats Caseys time up.
He's desperate to get away, as is Morgan. They want the big bucks that some of the other recently signed players are on and its a unsustainable model.
I can see them both off - as they enter option yr for a fee.
LB - Husbands' number is up. That NYD sending off started a calamitous run off, stripped of captaincy he's just too slow for the Evatt model.
I like Coulson but he just isn't physically big enough as a LB and could see that being a loan spot.
Horsfall will be retained, no 20, I hope we can reach a mutual agreement and kick him in to.the long grass - using his non toe related other foot.
Anderson - Evatts clearly not a fan. He returned to WBA after Evatt tossed him out of the team and back to his parent club. Me - I'd keep him, as he can cover LB/ CH
So that leaves x2 CBs required.
Midfield, Brown has come in to his own now they have finally realised his best position. Clarkson- this'll is going to be a huge player for us. His set piece delivery is excellent.
Coulson on the left, I think CJ will be kept but his times getting close.
We have had a good look at Anderson, if only we knew about him last yr when we had a crying screaming Apter kicking daily at Bruces' door.
Anderson should be our no1 target for this summer. Has an engine has a presence and has goals in him.
Honeyman - top ££ earner. We are looking to move him on.
We'll need another in there if we do.
I wouldn't take Randall on, he hasn't shown enough. The worry us Evatt blows a lot if ££ on fee and wages to sign him🙈
Taylor is a no1 starter.
Blox is a must keep. Let's build up his strength and. Fitness, so he isn't blowing out of his @rris after 60mins.
Ennis - is unhappy, his @rris tells us that. A fit Ennis is a good asset not sure if we will see his previous good form again.
Fletcher - coming up.to 31. Won everything- POTY wise, but I'd sell whilst his stock is high.

Other than that little movement🤣
I honestly think its going to be chaos player wise🙈

Management team.
Evatt - there's concerns the baggage has reached the airport carousel and has already been collected.
Thommo - is a must sign but that'll upset Evatt.
Dobbie Banks need moving on.
Crainey - that should be Thommos job.
Director of Football - I think this will be Gary Bowyer. The club has a low stock across the gane, the court case, fans being allowed to bollock players, huge numbers of ins/outs etc.
Bowlers well respected. Let him be the face of BFC off the pitch.
Burton safe, he can't do much more there, bring him back.

Other than that, a quiet summer.
So the only one this nailed was Husband?
 
Bristol Live understands that Blackpool have enquired about Luke Southwood .
He's a keeper - been transfer listed by Brizzle Rovers.
Evatt had him as a no 2 at Horwich.
 
Ennis looked disinterested when he came back after injury, real disappointment how he didn't look after himself, especially how fantastic he looked the season before.
Make or break season ahead for him.
 
Let's hope he was easing himself back in and that his larger ass was down to all those weights he was squatting? He should be a 20 plus goals a season at this level.

Any news on Fletch?