Summer 2025 BFC Transfer Window - Links and discussion on the Linked player only.

[KellyClaret]

We are apparently after a centre back as well. So could be possible that Parker wants to revert to his 433 system from last season with 2 in front of Cullen

Florentino Luis is definitely a DM - a specialist one at that. I don't think he would be playing further forward than Cullen. Paired with Cullen, maybe, but would mean Ugochukwu playing ahead of them and Hannibal moved to the wing or the bench.

[KateR]

We are apparently after a centre back as well. So could be possible that Parker wants to revert to his 433 system from last season with 2 in front of Cullen

I’m seeing two systems basically being played this season depending on opposition, back 5 for the majority and going for counter attacking football. Back 4 when we believe we’ve a decent chance of winning and having more possession than the opposition. Just IMO of course

[RVclaret]

Luis will probably be a smokescreen for someone else I reckon. We’ve not had one of these come through all summer, in terms of the initial interest being leaked then signed. We’d definitely have a really competitive PL midfield if it was him, mind.

[warksclaret]

I’m seeing two systems basically being played this season depending on opposition, back 5 for the majority and going for counter attacking football. Back 4 when we believe we’ve a decent chance of winning and having more possession than the opposition. Just IMO of course

Suspect you are right. Lets face it the up and coming managers have been able to adapt not only game to game or within the same game. Thomas Frank and Nuno are examples. Stay rigid like Russell Martin and Vincent Kompany and you get punished

[ervi34]

Parker on transfers: "We are hoping to do some business if we can. A lot of boxes need to be ticked for us to go into the window. There will be some players who will leave and getting that game time is essential for them."

[ollieclarets8]

From what Parker has said recently, we appear to be looking for at least 2 new signings, maybe 3.

[ervi34]

Luis will probably be a smokescreen for someone else I reckon. We’ve not had one of these come through all summer, in terms of the initial interest being leaked then signed. We’d definitely have a really competitive PL midfield if it was him, mind.

Hartman and Tchaouna stories were leaked initially.

[jojomk1]

I’m seeing two systems basically being played this season depending on opposition, back 5 for the majority and going for counter attacking football. Back 4 when we believe we’ve a decent chance of winning and having more possession than the opposition. Just IMO of course

Apart from Sunderland, I can't envisage any other Prem team where we will have more possession

[Woosh Deakin]

Apart from Sunderland, I can't envisage any other Prem team where we will have more possession

We only had 42% possession against Sunderland - suspect that may be a season high

[warksclaret]

We only had 42% possession against Sunderland - suspect that may be a season high

As a comparison Forest averaged 40% possession last season and did not do too bad. They relied heavily on the pace of their wide men and fullbacks

[ollieclarets8]

As a comparison Forest averaged 40% possession last season and did not do too bad. They relied heavily on the pace of their wide men and fullbacks

Any idea what we had under Dyche when we finished 8th? It can't have been above 50%.

A cliché I know, but it's what you do with the ball when you have it.

With 5 at the back, we're going to be set up for the counter for most games.

[mkmel]

Guys, what has any of this got to do with linked players only?

[Claretnick]

Guys, what has any of this got to do with linked players only?

I think some of the discussion is loosely connected to the linked DM from Benfica

[Spijed]

Any idea what we had under Dyche when we finished 8th? It can't have been above 50%.

A cliché I know, but it's what you do with the ball when you have it.

With 5 at the back, we're going to be set up for the counter for most games.

We finished 7th.

[ollieclarets8]

We finished 7th.

Old age - memory goes. What possession did we have, as that's the question?

[ArmchairDetective]

Here for links. Get stats about our previous league finishes instead. Standard.

[ClaretAL]

It really is becoming easy to see the same posters who can’t help themselves in destroying any good thread. Please keep to the topic and if you feel the need to deviate, be really brave and crate a new thread.

[RVclaret]

L’Equipe reckons we are at the table for George Mikautadze from Lyon, along with Villarreal and Saudi club. Given he had a £25m+ price tag it seems highly unlikely…

[Newcastleclaret93]

Villarreal and Lyon are set to meet on Friday to discuss a deal for Georges Mikautadze

Burnley and a Saudi club could also meet with OL, who must make €40m total in sales by the end of the window.

L’Equippe

[Andingle]

Wasn't this the lad we were after before we signed Amdouni?

[Newcastleclaret93]

https://x.com/glongari/status/196113859 ... cYMQnkX92A

Wow big signing.

That’s some midfield for us

[Andingle]

Screenshot_20250828-195513_X.jpg (121.35 KiB) Viewed 1894 times

[ollieclarets8]

https://x.com/glongari/status/196113859 ... cYMQnkX92A
Wow big signing.
That’s some midfield for us

What's his best position?

[RVclaret]

What's his best position?

Defensive midfield. A pure number 6.

[gandhisflipflop]

If we sign mikatuadze I’ll plait sawdust

[ollieclarets8]

Defensive midfield. A pure number 6.

Could possibly allow Les to move further forward? We can't drop Cullen, so something has to give.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Could possibly allow Les to move further forward? We can't drop Cullen, so something has to give.

I imagine it will be a flat midfield 3. With the two wide players taking more attacking positions. This would probably allow the likes of Larsen to be much more advanced

[summitclaret]

I imagine it will be a flat midfield 3. With the two wide players taking more attacking positions. This would probably allow the likes of Larsen to be much more advanced

LT and JA need to be those 2.

[morninbob]

The asking price for mikatuadze is 35m Euros and apparently we can meet that

[claretspice]

I imagine it will be a flat midfield 3. With the two wide players taking more attacking positions. This would probably allow the likes of Larsen to be much more advanced

It's also worth remembering that we need a squad. The game isn't just about having 11 players these days, and so we can't assume Ugochukwu or Cullen or Hannibal will be available for every game. This would seem to me to be about depth and its quite plausible that initially, he'd be on the bench and have to work his way into the team.

[Milltown1882]

It's also worth remembering that we need a squad. The game isn't just about having 11 players these days, and so we can't assume Ugochukwu or Cullen or Hannibal will be available for every game. This would seem to me to be about depth and its quite plausible that initially, he'd be on the bench and have to work his way into the team.

He would stroll into our starting 11 but agree with the sentiment

[billyhamilton82]

Georges Mikautadze of Lyon linked:

https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2 ... to-a-sale/

Asking price a bit steep to say the least

[Simps]

From Dale Stephens to Florentino Luis.

My, how the mighty have…….improved?

[Milltown1882]

**** or bust rest of the window if we get Luis and Mikautadze. Could easily recoup it if we go down, don’t mind the approach.

[Vegas Claret]

Sacha saying we are close to the lad from Benfica

[billyhamilton82]

https://x.com/sachatavolieri/status/196 ... gr%5Etweet

[warksclaret]

Georges Mikautadze of Lyon linked:

https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2 ... to-a-sale/

Asking price a bit steep to say the least

You can either invest in bronze and go for someone like Sargent at Norwich for £25m, or invest in gold and go for Mikautadze spending circa £30m. No brainer for me

[ollieclarets8]

Loving these signings and potential signings so far.

[warksclaret]

With these two names being mentioned-and phenomenal if one or both come off, its had me thinking how far the pecking order its going to push some of last season's heroes. Names that come to mind-Flemming, Edwards, Pires, Hannibal, Humphreys,Laurent. Some of these will become very needed squad players. Then you have the likes of Benson and Tresor, plus players back from injury, plus the forgotton ones like Obefemi, Delcroix .Think we are going to see much activity in "de-bloating" the squad in the next 3 days

[Quickenthetempo]

The asking price for mikatuadze is 35m Euros and apparently we can meet that

The owners policy is they only have to pay one years payment (1/4 of the price) if we go down and sell them on.
If we stay up it's peanuts.

[Newcastleclaret93]

With these two names being mentioned-and phenomenal if one or both come off, its had me thinking how far the pecking order its going to push some of last season's heroes. Names that come to mind-Flemming, Edwards, Pires, Hannibal, Humphreys,Laurent. Some of these will become very needed squad players. Then you have the likes of Benson and Tresor, plus players back from injury, plus the forgotton ones like Obefemi, Delcroix .Think we are going to see much activity in "de-bloating" the squad in the next 3 days

I think unfortunately some well liked lads will get moved out. If the two proposed signings happen. I could certainly see Flemming and Laurent being at risk

[morninbob]

With these two names being mentioned-and phenomenal if one or both come off, its had me thinking how far the pecking order its going to push some of last season's heroes. Names that come to mind-Flemming, Edwards, Pires, Hannibal, Humphreys,Laurent. Some of these will become very needed squad players. Then you have the likes of Benson and Tresor, plus players back from injury, plus the forgotton ones like Obefemi, Delcroix .Think we are going to see much activity in "de-bloating" the squad in the next 3 days

Some of the loans with obligations have gone against us, I could be wrong but I can't see Flemming and Edwards doing much this year.

[123EasyasBFC]

I imagine it will be a flat midfield 3. With the two wide players taking more attacking positions. This would probably allow the likes of Larsen to be much more advanced

I can also see away from home is going 4-5-1 rather than the 5-2-3 and the midfield 5 behind Hannibal and Anthony wide with Cullen Lesley and Florentino Luis as a 3 with them one of foster and broja the 1 up top

[warksclaret]

I can also see away from home is going 4-5-1 rather than the 5-2-3 and the midfield 5 behind Hannibal and Anthony wide with Cullen Lesley and Florentino Luis as a 3 with them one of foster and broja the 1 up top

I think when Tchaouma gets a start, he will take some displacing

[Murger]

If we sign Luis, where does he fit in if our starting midfield is Big Les and Cullen?

[ollieclarets8]

I think when Tchaouma gets a start, he will take some displacing

Said the same thing. Him, Cullen and Les would be a solid midfield.

[Walton]

Just watched a video of Luis's highlights. He wins the ball extremely well, but the majority don't look PL-legal, especially if he's in a Claret shirt as opposed to say, a red one, for example

[blatherwickstattoos]

If we manage to get Luis I’ll be flabbergasted. Ac Milan , Roma and man united all previously linked strongly. Looks an incredible defensive midfielder

[willsclarets]

Mikautadze and Luis would be borderline insane if we got them both. We'd be under a bit of pressure to stay up after that financial outlay!

[RVclaret]

Mikautadze and Luis would be borderline insane if we got them both. We'd be under a bit of pressure to stay up after that financial outlay!

I think the strategy involves knowing these type of players get sold if we go down. There’s a confidence we can make good money back, and so it reduces the risk. Course you can end up with an Amdouni where no one wants to buy, but equally a Koleosho/Odobert/Berge who raise £70m very easily. Saints have sold Dibling and Fernandes to the Prem for a combined £85m despite being the second worst team ever in the Prem!

That said, I’m taking the Mikautadze link with a pinch of salt at the moment. That fee seems a bit too high to be honest.