To put it bluntly: things feel different this summer. After too many years of trimming the squad at a loss or subsidising departures, the club looks to be operating a much more sensible model — selling well, buying smart and adding experience without blowing the budget.

Selling to strengthen

There’s a clear thread running through the noises about outgoing players. Sales are bringing in real fees rather than parting with talent for token sums or wage dumps. That cash gives the board and recruitment team breathing room. You can see why they'd want to lock that in before splashing elsewhere. The feeling is we’re not just reacting to an offer, we’re planning the next move.

Young assets with upside

Look at the younger signings and links. Take Dragojevic for example: he’s the sort of prospect who, if he develops as expected, could be worth considerably more in a few years. That’s the kind of player you buy to improve the squad now and create profit later. Chermiti should be worth more than the reported £8m we paid — if he settles and hits form, there’s a clear path to a tidy return. It’s not gambling; it’s sensible roster building.

Experience that won’t cost the earth

Then there’s the pragmatic signings. Bringing in experienced heads like Dan Neil on a free and Shankland on a free lets the manager add know-how without forcing a fire-sale elsewhere. It’s a neat balance: you get proven players to steady the ship while the youngsters grow into their roles. If the outgoing deals conclude at the levels being talked about, I don’t see a disastrous financial picture — just a sharper, more sustainable approach.

To be fair, nothing is guaranteed until contracts are signed and fees cleared, but the blueprint is promising. We’re being shrewd rather than reckless, and that’s exactly what the club needed. Majority of the business looks aimed at improving the team now while keeping an eye on future value — sensible, necessary and, frankly, overdue.

Written by Thestigno1: 27 July 2026

Tags: transfers