The January 2026 Transfer Window Thread

[Mamaswan]

I am OK with this. A premier league veteran with loads of experience. Be interesting to see how hes utilised.

 

[magicdaps10]

If anyone on here is interested in seeing who first linked us with Joel Ward they can look for themselves,

They can buy I saved them the groundwork

 

[Smurph]

They can buy I saved them the groundwork

Well done, you're awesome, even if taking the credit for someone else's work is a little embarrassing.

 

[Nottinghillbilly]

Clever signing.

Proper, intelligent leader - off and on the pitch.

Our defense needs proper guidance, leadership and nous

 

[Menston4128]

We gotta hope Key gets back to an acceptable level of performances and he can slot back into rb then.

Key's performances have never been to an acceptable level during his time at Swansea

 

[Londonlisa2001]

Unfortunately, the club is constrained in its options and flexibility to spend on incoming players under the current EFL regulations and limits. Significant funds were invested in 2025, pushing us right up to the maximum permitted expenditure. This does leave the door open to potential sales and, while there is currently no intention to offload a key player of real value to us, they are the only ones who also hold significant market appeal externally; therefore, it cannot be entirely dismissed given the precariousness of our immediate financial position.

There were numerous summer arrivals, with the expectation that they will step up after a six-month settling-in period, so there is no alarm about urgently requiring reinforcements - relegation is not viewed as an immediate threat. This might not be the most thrilling outlook for supporters, who naturally cling to hopes of fresh additions to fuel a late push for the play-offs, but it is simply the reality we face. Loans can make a substantial difference and, given how competitive the league invariably is, injecting some fresh attacking threat could prove transformative if existing squad members also raise their levels.

In the longer term, there are no underlying financial concerns: confidence exists that revenues will grow; several promising players have been recruited who should appreciate in value; and, with the exception of Santos, every acquisition was made with the future in mind and is expected to develop further. The obvious point of contention is the Adam Idah transfer, which dwarfed any other individual outlay and was sanctioned on the basis that he would deliver instant impact - with the clear understanding that it would restrict our spending capacity this January. It is widely known that Alan Sheehan and Darren O'Dea strongly advocated for the move, but shifting full responsibility onto them would be inaccurate, as it represented the collective conclusion of an extensive summer hunt for a first-choice striker by the club's leadership.

Everyone at the club fully appreciates the nature of the Joel Ward signing and harbours no illusions that it amounts to anything more than inexpensive depth. No supporter would argue otherwise, and it is hardly inspiring news for anyone, yet it is deemed essential - not only to provide competition for Key but also to prevent Galbraith from being shifted permanently out of position. If Ward starts many matches it would be surprising, and the deal ought to be viewed more akin to borrowing a young prospect from the Premier League than as a direct alternative to the established right-back upgrade we require for the seasons ahead.

Where to start with this to be honest, but just a few comments.

There is no maximum permitted expenditure. There’s a rolling three year maximum permitted loss which excludes certain of the club’s costs. Increase income, increase expenditure, or don’t, but expenditure itself is not limited under FFP rules. (And the permitted loss is higher this three year period as they’ve increased it from £39m to £41m or £41.5m - can’t remember which). The only possible worry would be this year as year three. This year as year two and year one should not be an issue if revenue increases.

Funds on players obviously impacts FFP but they’ve been signed over long term contracts which spreads the impact. We made substantial reductions on annual expenditure as we lost several of our highest paid players and overall more went out than came in in terms of numbers . Even retirees gained us a significant sum every week. And others were put onto longer term deals (Tymon for example) which reduced impact on FFP.
Our FFP position would be helped btw if we didn’t sack a manager and staff every few months… and why have Britton and Allen if it’s so tight?

No idea why our current financial position is described as ‘precarious’. It certainly shouldn’t be and if it is, that’s mismanagement.

If we make a sale, it needs to be Vipotnik. He is the worst fit long term for Matos’ system of those that we could get anything for. Given Idah’s injury and the seeming lack of readiness of Wales, that obviously would leave a gap that we’d have to fill.

I don’t think many supporters think that a ‘late dash for the play offs’ is particularly realistic. It’s not only points but the number of clubs above us. We’re not going to catch them all (are there 9 between us and the play offs?) - a couple of them will inevitably put good runs together however we do unless we suddenly transform completely. That’s why someone like Ward seems a waste.

On the player front, we all hope they develop - I’m not sure Burgess is one for the future btw as well as Santos - and I’m surprised to hear Sheehan and O’Dea were so responsible for by far the biggest transfer of them all given the past few months have been all about saying that no one has done anything re our incomings apart from Worth and Gorringe…

As a final point. Understand the club wants Galbraith as midfield instead of right back, but signing a player who ‘won’t start many matches’ won’t actually change that. If Key is viewed as this season’s right back with Ward as back up to move Galbraith to midfield then he could have been playing there for the last few weeks. If Key’s not seen as the permanent answer then bringing in someone below him will still mean Galbraith plays there. We’d have been better bringing in a right back rather than Yalcouye or Stamenic. Or let Yalcouye return to Brighton now and bring in a right back loan. That argument makes no sense.

 

[Menston4128]

But one of the reasons we’re looking to offload Santos (and we haven’t got rid of him as yet as far as we know), is because he’s too slow for the system we are trying to play. Ward is 6 years older than him.

but that does not mean he is slower than Santos, who by the way was never going to be a good signing (injury or no injury).

 

[Nottinghillbilly]

Key's performances have never been to an acceptable level during his time at Swansea

Nonsense.
With the right coaching (after the mess made by O'Dear), Key will fly, again.......

 

[Londonlisa2001]

but that does not mean he is slower than Santos, who by the way was never going to be a good signing (injury or no injury).

No of course it doesn’t, but he hasn’t played as right back for ages. Hasn’t played at all for ages as it happens. So being quick would be a surprise. Agree re Santos.

 

[Menston4128]

No of course it doesn’t, but he hasn’t played as right back for ages. Hasn’t played at all for ages as it happens. So being quick would be a surprise. Agree re Santos.

I'm not convinced about Ward, however is there any possibility he could be coming and also getting involved in the coaching side of things alongside replacing Santos in the playing squad.

 

[magicdaps10]

Well done, you're awesome, even if taking the credit for someone else's work is a little embarrassing.

I put on page 5 that it wasn't from me originally as one poster questioned.

I will excuse your oversight there Smurph.

 

[Menston4128]

Nonsense.
With the right coaching (after the mess made by O'Dear), Key will fly, again.......

it's not nonsense just my opinion.

He's been here for 2 1/2 years under numerous manangers and there has been very little evidence that he's about to fly, but if he does I'll be happy to say well done.

 

[Smurph]

I put on page 5 that it wasn't from me originally as one poster questioned.

I will excuse your oversight there Smurph.

Sorry Daps, you've mistaken me for someone who gives a fuck.

 

[magicdaps10]

Where to start with this to be honest, but just a few comments.

There is no maximum permitted expenditure. There’s a rolling three year maximum permitted loss which excludes certain of the club’s costs. Increase income, increase expenditure, or don’t, but expenditure itself is not limited under FFP rules. (And the permitted loss is higher this three year period as they’ve increased it from £39m to £41m or £41.5m - can’t remember which). The only possible worry would be this year as year three. This year as year two and year one should not be an issue if revenue increases.

Funds on players obviously impacts FFP but they’ve been signed over long term contracts which spreads the impact. We made substantial reductions on annual expenditure as we lost several of our highest paid players and overall more went out than came in in terms of numbers . Even retirees gained us a significant sum every week. And others were put onto longer term deals (Tymon for example) which reduced impact on FFP.
Our FFP position would be helped btw if we didn’t sack a manager and staff every few months… and why have Britton and Allen if it’s so tight?

No idea why our current financial position is described as ‘precarious’. It certainly shouldn’t be and if it is, that’s mismanagement.

If we make a sale, it needs to be Vipotnik. He is the worst fit long term for Matos’ system of those that we could get anything for. Given Idah’s injury and the seeming lack of readiness of Wales, that obviously would leave a gap that we’d have to fill.

I don’t think many supporters think that a ‘late dash for the play offs’ is particularly realistic. It’s not only points but the number of clubs above us. We’re not going to catch them all (are there 9 between us and the play offs?) - a couple of them will inevitably put good runs together however we do unless we suddenly transform completely. That’s why someone like Ward seems a waste.

On the player front, we all hope they develop - I’m not sure Burgess is one for the future btw as well as Santos - and I’m surprised to hear Sheehan and O’Dea were so responsible for by far the biggest transfer of them all given the past few months have been all about saying that no one has done anything re our incomings apart from Worth and Gorringe…

As a final point. Understand the club wants Galbraith as midfield instead of right back, but signing a player who ‘won’t start many matches’ won’t actually change that. If Key is viewed as this season’s right back with Ward as back up to move Galbraith to midfield then he could have been playing there for the last few weeks. If Key’s not seen as the permanent answer then bringing in someone below him will still mean Galbraith plays there. We’d have been better bringing in a right back rather than Yalcouye or Stamenic. Or let Yalcouye return to Brighton now and bring in a right back loan. That argument makes no sense.

Now I can totally agree with your point about Ward being suggested as the back up to Key. If he was seen as the back up to Key then why hasn't Key been playing at RB regularly in the last few weeks.
I personally would have liked to have seen a younger RB in, one who could have been sourced relatively cheap and narrowing down contract ending would help.
Maybe the window is a tougher one than previous seasons, a window that is notorious for being a nightmare to work in.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

I'm not convinced about Ward, however is there any possibility he could be coming and also getting involved in the coaching side of things alongside replacing Santos in the playing squad.

We’ll have more coaches than National Express if we add any more…