The Women’s Super League (WSL) transfer window has officially closed, and teams are now settling in with their new rosters. The WSL Transfers have been hotly anticipated, and we’re now seeing some of the top teams in the league bolster their lineups. From notable exits to exciting new signings, we’ll dive into the latest moves in the WSL and analyze what they might mean for the upcoming season.
Top WSL Transfers this Summer
This summer’s WSL transfer window has seen its fair share of blockbuster deals. Arsenal, in particular, has been active, making several key signings to bolster their squad. One of the most notable transfers is the arrival of Vivianne Miedema, the WSL’s all-time leading scorer. The Netherlands striker made the move from Arsenal to Manchester City, in a deal that will undoubtedly boost City’s chances of winning the league.
Another significant move was made by Brighton, who managed to secure the services of England international Nikita Parris from Manchester United. This signing is a massive coup for Brighton, and it will undoubtedly raise the bar for their attacking options. The 30-year-old forward brings a wealth of experience to the team and will be looking to make a big impact in the league.
Aston Villa also made some savvy moves in the transfer market, signing American forward Chasity Grant from Ajax and bringing in England midfielder Missy Bo Kearns from Liverpool. These additions will undoubtedly strengthen Villa’s squad and make them a more formidable force in the league.
Biggest Losers in the WSL Transfer Window
While some teams made great strides in the transfer window, others were left feeling disappointed. Manchester United, for example, lost Nikita Parris to Brighton and failed to secure some of their top transfer targets. Despite this, they did manage to sign Netherlands defender Dominique Janssen from Wolfsburg, which will undoubtedly help strengthen their backline.
West Ham, meanwhile, lost several key players, including Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and French defender Hawa Cissoko. These exits will undoubtedly be felt, and it remains to be seen how West Ham will replace their departed stars.
How WSL Teams are Adapting to the Transfer Market
The WSL transfer window has highlighted the growing importance of the women’s game. Teams are now more willing than ever to spend big to secure top talent, and the quality of the league has undoubtedly improved as a result.
A great example of this is Chelsea’s signing of France winger Sandy Baltimore and Australia striker Sam Kerr, who returns from her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury this season. These additions will undoubtedly boost Chelsea’s chances of winning the league and demonstrate the increasing investment in the women’s game.
Key Players to Watch in the Upcoming Season
With all the new signings and transfers, there are several key players to watch in the upcoming season. Some of the most exciting prospects include:
- Sam Kerr, Australia striker, Chelsea
- Vivianne Miedema, Netherlands striker, Manchester City
- Nikita Parris, England forward, Brighton
- Missy Bo Kearns, England midfielder, Aston Villa
- Lucy Bronze, England defender, Chelsea
WSL Teams and Their Transfer Business
Here’s a breakdown of the WSL teams and their transfer business:
Arsenal: Made some savvy signings, including the arrivals of Sophie Harwood and Mariona Caldentey. However, they also lost star striker Vivianne Miedema to Manchester City.
Aston Villa: Signed American forward Chasity Grant from Ajax and brought in England midfielder Missy Bo Kearns from Liverpool.
Brighton: Secured the services of England international Nikita Parris from Manchester United and signed defender Gemma Evans from Manchester United.
Chelsea: Signed France winger Sandy Baltimore and brought in Australia striker Sam Kerr, who returns from her ACL injury this season.
Crystal Palace: Made some smart signings, including Denmark defender Katrine Veje from Everton and Finnish goalkeeper Milla-Maj Majasaari from Anderlecht.
Everton: Signed Spain’s Inma Gabarro and West Ham’s Japan midfielder Honoka Hayashi on a free transfer.
Leicester: Dipped into the French market and signed England youth internationals Ruby Mace from Manchester City and Asmita Ale from Tottenham on permanent deals.
Liverpool: Made some quiet but effective signings, including the arrivals of Olivia Smith from Sporting Lisbon and Sweden’s Cornelia Kapocs.
Manchester City: Welcomed Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema and Japan striker Aoba Fujino to an already impressive frontline.
Manchester United: Signed Netherlands defender Dominique Janssen from Wolfsburg and brought in Norwegians Elisabeth Terland and Celin Bizet to boost their attacking threat.
Tottenham: Had an underwhelming transfer window, losing key players such as Norway forward Bizet and 21-year-old England midfielder Grace Clinton.
West Ham: Lost several key players, including Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and French defender Hawa Cissoko. Despite this, they managed to bring in some decent signings, including defender Shelina Zadorsky from Tottenham.
Overall, it’s been an exciting transfer window for the WSL, and we can’t wait to see how these new signings and departed stars make an impact in the league.