What every WSL club needs to do in the January transfer window
The January transfer window. That time of the season in which title hopes and relegation salvation feel determined by whatever little business traditionally gets accomplished at the midway point of the season.
The Women’s Super League historically chooses to do most of its business during the summer months, but in recent years the January transfer window has tossed up big rumours and big moves.
It was only last January when Bethany England swapped west London for north for an eye-watering fee, changing the course of Tottenham Hotspur’s season. Last January also saw a reported £500,000 offer arrive for Manchester United ’s Alessia Russo, the largest domestic bid for a female footballer at the time.
Altogether, there were 140 deals across the top five leagues in Europe, up from 111 the season prior.
Whether the 2024 transfer window will produce similar drama remains to be seen, but here are the deals each WSL club could look to get over the line in the next month.
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Chelsea
The reigning champions’ depth is largely unrivalled in the league, but as the only English team still competing in Europe and injuries to some first-team players, the Blues could use reinforcements, particularly in defence. Emma Hayes’ side has lacked stability in the backline, with myriad combinations of Millie Bright, Jess Carter, Kadeisha Buchanan and Maren Mjelde used in a centre-back partnership or as a back three.
Chelsea have been linked with North Carolina Courage’s Denise O’Sullivan, though midfielder is arguably not the area in need of bolstering. The Blues will also be looking to negotiate expiring contracts, including that of striker Sam Kerr and midfielder Fran Kirby.
Manchester City
Where most WSL clubs stayed busy in the summer, Gareth Taylor opted to only bring in Netherlands midfielder Jill Roord over the summer (which has transpired to be a savvy bit of business). Yet, the risk of a small squad is the threat of injuries when depth is so slim. Reports have linked 20-year-old Sweden winger Matilda Vinberg, 20, while shoring up the expiring contracts of Lauren Hemp and Julie Blakstead will be key this window.
Khiara Keating’s rise to power means there’s little room for goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck in the picture, who will likely be looking for a loan move to regain her place in the England senior squad. According to the BBC, the 24-year-old is seeking a move in January with her current contract ending in June, with Manchester United one of the clubs linked with her.
Arsenal
It can feel like Arsenal are bringing in a new squad with the return of so many injured players, from Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema to defender Leah Williamson and Laura Wienroither.
USWNT full-back Emily Fox has been linked with a move to a north London. And while the Gunners' pursuit of Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps has been well documented, it's recently been reported that another bid is unlikely from the Gunners after their world-record offer flast year. The squad is already at capacity, meaning Arsenal could send players out on loan, including Brazil winger Giovana Queiroz and midfielder Kathrine Kuhl.
Manchester United
Mary Earps is the obvious name when it comes to United’s January transfer window. Securing the 30-year-old’s services for the next few years has proved an impossible task, and the goalkeeper has attracted interest from around Europe, particularly from Paris Saint-Germain. Such is the interest, United could look at bringing in a goalkeeper, potentially Roebuck from City, though the prospect of breaking through an already congested keeper milieu could prove off-putting.
Mary Earps could depart Manchester United amid an ongoing contract saga (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)Marc Skinner hasn’t been coy about the need to spend money to shrink the gap to the rest of the squads. United have been linked with England youth international and striker Eleanor Dale, while they could also look to making Lyon forward Melvine Malard’s move a permanent one.
Tottenham Hotspur
A busy January is in store for Spurs, with manager Robert Vilahamn looking towards the Scandinavian and Australian markets for additions to his WSL squad. Australian defender Charlotte Grant looks on track to sign in January. The return of Beth England from hip surgery should alleviate some of the attacking burden on Martha Thomas, while Arsenal’s Gio Queiroz could also make the move across north London after the original loan move earlier in the season fell through.
Giovana Queiroz could leave on loan this January (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Durham’s Poppy Pritchard has also been looked at but it’s the return of Finnish midfielders Olga Ahtinen and Eveliina Summanen from injury that could prove most important.
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Liverpool
Culminating 2023 with an emphatic victory over Manchester United has established the Reds as the potential dark horse for the season’s second half, but additional depth could ensure that Liverpool ’s trajectory continues on its upward trend.
Still, the club were active in the summer and are likely to have a quiet window, though adding some attacking depth could be on the cards as no player has scored more than three goals in the league so far.
Matt Beard, Manager of Liverpool (Photo by Jess Hornby - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)Everton
Brian Sorensen has long looked towards the familiarity of Denmark to strengthen his Toffees side and once again this will prove the case. A smaller budget that some of the other clubs will make any big moves a challenge for Everton, but the club have done well to navigate a difficult season filled with injuries and absences.
The loss of striker Nicoline Sorensen means Sorensen could use additions up top, while defence is also an area in need of improvement. Defender Nathalie Bjorn, 26, was chased by Real Madrid in the summer and could once again be pursued in this window.
Leicester City
The Foxes are nearly unrecognisable since Willie Kirk’s takeover in December 2022 and as the evolution continues, the club will be looking to the signing of Japan forward Saori Takarada. Leicester City are comfortably above the relegation spot. But having shipped 21 goals in 10 matches, they’re joint-third worst for goals conceded in the league, a sign that defensive additions should be a priority in this January window.
Leicester City Women unveil new signing Saori Takarada at King Power Stadium (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)Brighton
The Seagulls signed 11 players in the summer, so the odds having another similarly busy window are very low. The squad is still learning to gel and will need time to continue to do so, though the signs are positive for the second half of the season. Nailing down Katie Robinson’s contract with the club is paramount.
The 21-year-old England youth international has been nothing short of phenomenal for Melissa Phillips’ side.
Aston Villa
It’s been a difficult season for Carla Ward’s side. After being tipped to crack the top four, Villa sit four points off newly-promoted Bristol City in the relegation spot but for some time it looked far dearer circumstances for the Villans.
Carla Ward's future as Aston Villa manager was uncertain after a 6-0 loss to league leaders Chelsea (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)The squad is increasingly ageing - Villa midfielder Lucy Staniforth, 31, and Jordan Nobbs, 31, both have contracts which run out in the summer. While their experience is important, recruiting some young blood could be useful as the second half of the season arrives. Villa are one of many clubs in for England youth international Eleanor Dale and linked with Denise O’Sullivan, while recruiting a full-back is also a priority.
West Ham
Hammers fans were treated to a mega surprise upon news that USWNT international Kristie Mewis would be joining the squad. It’s precisely the type of recruitment manager Rehanne Skinner will be looking to continue in the January transfer window as she bids to steer her side away from the relegation spot. Katrina Gorry is reportedly the next signing to come through the door, while the club are in talks with bringing in Spurs defender Shelina Zadorsky on loan.
West Ham United signed USWNT Kristie Mewis (Photo by Ben Nichols/ISI Photos/Getty Images)Bristol City
Lauren Smith’s plucky, young promoted side have faced a challenge in their return of the top-flight, but they’ve served up plenty of challenges for the established sides. Level on points with West Ham and only four points of Villa in ninth,
City are still within touching distance of safety but recruitment could be crucial. Securing a more clinical attacking edge to help Abi Harrison and Amalie Thestrup, while a defensive addition could also come in handy given the recent injury to Chelsea loanee Brooke Aspin. More savvy loan moves could be on the cards.
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