25/04 - 20:00
As the Women’s Super League gets bigger and bigger every year, so does the significance of the transfer windows.
And while the WSL has a long, long way to go before clubs are spending over £100m on a player, we’re seeing those figures rise. Indeed, this January saw what would have been a world record bid in the women’s game turned down.
Playmaker is here to take you through each team in the WSL and see how they’ve strengthened (or haven’t) in January.
The Gunners failed in an attempt to lure Alessia Russo away from Manchester United in what would have been a world-record transfer. Reports suggested that Arsenal offered £500k for the England forward, who is out of contract at United this summer.
That offer was turned down, but Arsenal can now try and convince Russo to join them in the summer on a free.
Arsenal also rejected a big-money offer themselves. Chelsea were apparently keen on bringing in Katie McCabe but that move broke down.
Meanwhile, new goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo kept a clean sheet at home to Aston Villa in the WSL Cup.
Jordan Nobbs was one of the big names to leave the club. After several years as a Gunner, the midfielder moved to Aston Villa. Mana Iwabuchi also left for Tottenham Hotspur but only until the end of the season.
In: Victoria Pelova (Ajax), Kathrine Kühl (Nordsjælland), Sabrina D’Angelo (Vittsjö GIK)
Out: Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Mana Iwabuchi (Spurs, loan)
The Villans reinforced with two-big name signings: Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Stainforth – both on permanent deals. The new arrivals have already settled in at their new club and have already made their way into the team.
Those transfers were quite a coup for Villa, who are building an impressive squad and could take the title of 'best of the rest' just outside the top four.
In: Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Lucy Stainforth (Man Utd)
Out: Isobel Goodwin (Coventry United)
With Brighton near the bottom of the table having won just twice all season, the club has clearly felt that new blood was needed.
The Seagulls brought in five new players during the window, including bringing in Brianna Visalli from Houston Dash. The American has experience playing in England after having featured for West Ham United and Birmingham City.
It’s also a swift return to the WSL for Lydia Williams. The Australian goalkeeper left Arsenal for PSG but returned after just two appearances.
In: Guro Bergsvand (Brann), Dejana Stefanović (Vålerenga), Brianna Visalli (Houston Dash), Zoe Morse (Chicago Red Stars), Lydia Williams (Paris Saint-Germain)
Out:
The Blues had hoped to lure Katie McCabe from Arsenal during the transfer window but were turned down by Arsenal. Chelsea did sign one player though, Japanese teenager Maika Hamano from INAC, although she has been immediately loaned out to Hammarby.
The biggest news though was a departure when Beth England made the surprise move to rivals Tottenham Hotspur. That move didn’t make any difference when the two teams met in the WSL Cup – England played against her former team but lost 3-1.
In: Maika Hamano (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
Out: Beth England (Tottenham Hotspur), Maika Hamano (Hammarby, loan), Aniek Nouwen (AC Milan, loan), Charlotte Wardlaw (Lewes, loan)
A quiet month for both the men’s and women’s teams at Goodison Park. The only piece of business Everton made this month was making Clare Wheeler’s loan from Fortuna Hjørring a permanent transfer.
Sara Holmgaard returned from her loan spell at Fortuna midway through the month and has quickly been integrated into Brian Sorensen’s team.
In: Clare Wheeler (Fortuna Hjørring)
Out:
The Foxes have brought in five new players this month as they look to escape from the bottom of the table.
Leicester did record their first win of the season midway through January, defeating Brighton 3-0. On-loan Bayern goalkeeper Janina Leitzig kept a clean sheet in that one.
Another loan arrival is Courtney Nevin, who made her debut in the FA Cup penalty shoot-out loss to Reading. While Remy Siemsen arrived on a permanent transfer from Sydney FC but has yet to make her Leicester debut.
In: Remy Siemsen (Sydney FC), Janina Leitzig (Bayern, loan), Courtney Nevin (Hammarby, loan), Georgia Eaton-Collins (Florida Gators), Ruby Mace (Manchester City, loan)
Out: Connie Scofield (Coventry United, loan), Georgia Brougham (free)
In total, the Reds made five new signings in a busy transfer window, with the majority of those coming from American clubs, including the aforementioned Bonner, Fuka Nagano, and Miri Taylor. Sofie Lundgaard also moved to Liverpool from Fortuna.
There were no outgoing transfers but Gilly Flaherty sadly announced her retirement on the 12th of January after a hugely successful career in the game.
In: Gemma Bonner (Racing Louiseville, Dec), Sofie Lundgaard (Fortuna Hjørring), Fuka Nagano (North Carolina Courage), Miri Taylor (Angel City), Natasha Dowie (Reading, loan)
Out: Gilly Flaherty (retired)
A quiet month for Manchester City, who didn’t bring in any new players. Although, perhaps they don’t need to since the Citizens are undefeated since the defeat to Chelsea in September.
There were some outgoings though, Khiara Keating and Ruby Mace both left the club on loan for more game time. While Vicky Losada departed for Roma after 18 months in Manchester.
In:
Out: Khiara Keating (Coventry United, loan), Ruby Mace (Leicester City, loan), Vicky Losada (Roma)
The big news is of course Manchester United turning down Arsenal’s big bid for Alessia Russo. While the forward looks destined to leave in the summer, it’s a strong signal of intent from Marc Skinner’s team. United are chasing a Champions League place and are currently top of the WSL, now is certainly not the time to sell to a direct rival.
Indeed, United strengthened themselves. Estelle Cascarino joined on loan from PSG and Canadian Jayde Riviere arrived on a permanent deal from Ann Arbor.
After plenty of rumours during the summer, midfielder Lisa Naalsund also made her move to Manchester United. The Norwegian was said to be wary about moving with competition for places at United high. However, with the permanent departure of Lucy Stainforth and Jade Moore’s loan move to Reading, Naalsund is likely to become a regular fixture.
In: Estelle Cascarino (PSG, loan), Jayde Riviere (AFC Ann Arbor), Lisa Naalsund (Brann)
Out: Lucy Staniforth (Aston Villa), Grace Clinton (Bristol City, loan), Jade Moore (Reading, loan)
Alongside Leicester and Brighton, Reading are one of the teams very much in with a chance of relegation to the Championship.
To try and increase those odds, the Royals have added two new signings. Jade Moore arrived on loan from Manchester United and Easther Mayi Kith joined on a permanent deal from Swedish side Kristianstads late in the window.
Moore has already made her debut for the Royals during the 2-2 draw away to Leicester City in the FA Cup that Reading won on penalties.
In: Jade Moore (Manchester United, loan), Easther Mayi Kith (Kristianstads DFF)
Out: Natasha Dowie (Liverpool, loan)
England was joined by the arrival of Mana Iwabuchi who arrived on loan from another fierce local rival, Arsenal.
Both England and Iwabuchi have scored for their new club already, although Spurs have a difficult fixture list coming up.
In: Beth England (£250k, Chelsea), Mana Iwabuchi (Arsenal, loan)
Out: Gracie Pearse (Bristol City, loan), Esther Morgan (Sunderland, loan)
There were three new arrivals for West Ham this month with Paul Konchesky strengthening in defence.
Belgian Amber Tysiak joined up from Oud-Heverlee Leuven, Anouk Denton rejoined the club after time in the US, and Shannon Cooke also returned to England after a stint in America.
Further up the pitch, Amalie Thestrup arrived on loan from PSV Eindhoven until the end of the season. Thestrup was briefly at Liverpool and is now tasked with adding extra firepower to the Hammers frontline.
In: Amber Tysiak (Oud-Heverlee Leuven), Anouk Denton (Louiseville Cardinals), Shannon Cooke (LSU Tigers), Amalie Thestrup (PSV Eindhoven, loan)
Out: Thea Kyvåg (LSK), Alex Hennessey (Charlton), Claudia Walker (Birmingham), Grace Garrard (Stabæk)
A return to #BarclaysWSL action!
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 1, 2023
Which sides are you backing to pick up all three points? pic.twitter.com/y7E9u1B3fv
