How did your club perform in the WSL’s January transfer window?

Arsenal (B+)

Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal have had a relatively quiet January window. Kaylan Marckese has returned to the club from her loan spell at Bristol City, having suffered an ACL injury in November. The USA goalkeeper will continue her rehabilitation with the Gunners.

Arsenal have also secured the services of former France international Sarah Bouhaddi, signing the goalkeeper on a free transfer. While only a short-term deal, Bouhaddi’s arrival will offer much-needed cover for Sabrina D’Angelo, who is expected to be included in Canada’s Gold Cup squad over the coming months.

But the fans have focused their eyes on the arrival of Emily Fox from North Carolina Courage. Having already played with Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy during their college days in the United States, the USWNT defender arrives to offer defensive reinforcements after Noelle Maritz joined Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee.

Gio Queiroz and Kathrine Kühl have both left Arsenal on loan, heading to Madrid CFF and Everton respectively after failing to secure consistent game time in North London.

Aston Villa (C-)

Aston Villa’s flagship incoming signing has certainly made a splash. Having signed Noelle Maritz from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee, the Swiss international defender appeared in the Conti Cup despite being cup-tied – prompting the FA to launch an independent review. Aston Villa still progressed to the quarterfinals.

Miri Taylor has put pen to paper on a loan deal with Carla Ward’s side until the end of the season.

Carla Ward’s side have also welcomed Freya Gregory back from her loan spell at Reading, after the forward netted twice in 11 appearances for the Royals. Aston Villa have also sent Olivia McLoughlin out on loan, with the midfielder signing for Rangers in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.

But perhaps the biggest hole in Carla Ward’s side will be left by the departure of Laura Blindkilde-Brown, who has signed for Manchester City after the Citizens activated her release clause.

Bristol City (B-)

Sitting at the foot of the Barclays Women’s Super League table, Bristol City were perhaps the side most in need of reinforcements. Lauren Smith has welcomed three new players to her side, including Scottish international Lisa Evans from West Ham United – perhaps the Robins’ closest relegation rivals.

Bristol City also managed to secure the services of Sarah Stratigakis from Vittsjö GIK, with the Canadian midfielder expected to offer support in the centre of the park – while goalkeeper Shae Yañez signs from San Diego Wave. All three of Bristol City’s incomings have signed for undisclosed fees.

But there have also been three outgoings. Tianna Teisar moves across the River Severn to sign for Cardiff City on loan, while Kaylan Marckese has had her loan spell cut short after rupturing her ACL – and she’ll return to her parent club, Arsenal.

Benedicte Haaland has also left the club upon the conclusion of her short-term deal.

Chelsea (A)

As one of the leading clubs within the Barclays Women’s Super League, it should perhaps come as no surprise that the Blues have been one of the most active clubs throughout the January transfer window.

Mayra Ramírez has become the most expensive women’s footballer of all time after moving from Levante, with the Colombian forward’s deal surpassing the fee that Barcelona paid for England’s Keira Walsh.

Chelsea have also secured the services of Everton’s Nathalie Björn, after the Swedish defender had reportedly pushed for a move away from the Toffees. She has slotted straight into the Blues’ defence, recording a sublime assist against Manchester United.

Jessie Fleming has left the club though, with the Canadian midfielder heading to Portland Thorns for a fee of £250k. There have also been a plethora of loan moves – Nicky Evrard has returned from Brighton after sustaining an injury, while Cerys Brown and Aimee Claypole have been loaned out to Watford and Lewes respectively.

Everton (C)

It’s been far from the most impressive window for Brian Sorensen’s Toffees, who have seen Nathalie Björn swap the historic blue shirt of Everton for that of Chelsea. The Merseysiders have also seen Megan Campbell draw the curtains on her Everton career, signing for London City Lionesses on a free transfer – while Alyssa Aherne has also left the club to return to Manchester United.

But Everton have secured the services of two Danish stars – Rikke Madsen and Kathrine Kühl. Madsen signs for an undisclosed fee from North Carolina Courage, while Kühl’s loan signing will see her gain experience and consistent minutes after a lack of playing time at Arsenal. They also managed to pick up Eleanor Dale on a free transfer.

Leicester City (B+)

It’s been a chaotic month at the King Power Stadium, with Leicester City welcoming four new signings to Willie Kirk’s squad. The Foxes have signed Japanese duo Yuka Momiki and Saori Takarada from Linköping, with both players expressing their excitement to play in England. Both signed for undisclosed fees.

Emilia Pelgander has also signed from KIF Örebro, and will look to slot into the heart of the Leicester City midfield. Pelgander is viewed as one of Sweden’s brightest talents, having worked her way through the age groups with the national team.

The Foxes have also secured the services of 22-year-old Asmita Ale from Tottenham, with the English defender signing on loan as she strives to secure consistent game time at the highest level. Outgoings have been limited, with Jess Reavill signing a dual registration loan with West Bromwich Albion and Monique Robinson signing for Burnley on loan to gain experience.

Liverpool (C-)

Liverpool have cemented themselves as a strong mid-table contender this season, but a lack of incomings in January could inhibit their chances of pushing on as the season progresses. Natasha Flint has left the club for an undisclosed fee, returning to Celtic FC on a short-term deal until the end of the season. She had struggled for minutes throughout the first half of the season. Miri Taylor has signed for Aston Villa on loan too, also until the end of the season.

Manchester City (B+)

With Jill Roord ruled out for the remainder of the season after rupturing her ACL, Manchester City have signed an exceptional replacement in the form of Aston Villa’s Laura Blindkilde-Brown, activating her release clause on Deadline Day.

Having excelled for Durham in the Barclays Women’s Championship, 18-year-old Poppy Pritchard has also made the move to Joie Stadium – with the striker putting pen to paper on her first professional contract, which will see her remain in Manchester for three-and-a-half years.

Tara O’Hanlon has also sealed a move to Manchester City, with the Republic of Ireland international signing from Peamount United – also on a three-and-a-half year contract.

Manchester City have also waved goodbye to Deyna Castellanos and Julia Blakstad, with the duo signing for Bay FC and Hammarby respectively.

Manchester United (F)

It’s been a remarkably disappointing window for fans of Manchester United. The Red Devils have looked well off the pace in the Barclays Women’s Super League, and despite Marc Skinner constantly appealing for investment, he has been unable to welcome any new signings to his squad.

The Red Devils were active in the transfer market last summer but their early campaign has been disrupted by injuries – and with a number of high-profile players including club captain Katie Zelem set to be out-of-contract in just six months, fans will undoubtedly be concerned at the lack of activity this time around.

Alyssa Aherne has returned from her loan spell at Everton, though.

Tottenham Hotspur (A+)

Tottenham Hotspur have perhaps had one of the most impressive transfer window of all, with Robert Vilahamn backed by the board after successfully implementing his style of play throughout the first half of the season.

Keen to build upon the Scandinavian roots within his squad, Vilahamn has recruited Swedish dup Amanda Nildén from Juventus and Matilda Vinberg from Hammarby. Vinberg joins for an undisclosed fee, while Nildén’s deal is an initial loan that includes an option to buy in the summer.

Australia’s Charlotte Grant has also made the move to North London from Sweden’s Vittsjö GIK, and will be able to offer a wealth of defensive experience – having already been capped 23 times for the Matildas. Free agent Shuang Wang has also signed, after an impressive 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with China.

But there have been outgoings in N17 too, notably with Shelina Zadorsky heading across the capital to sign for West Ham United on loan. Asmita Ale has also been sent out on loan for developmental reasons, heading to Leicester City. Zhang Linyan has been recalled by her parent club, while Wales’ Angharad James has secured a move to Seattle Reign for an undisclosed fee.

West Ham United (A)

On paper, losing Lisa Evans to fellow relegation candidates Bristol City will leave a gaping hole in the Hammers’ squad – and when coupled with Mel Filis’ loan move to Charlton Athletic, there is no doubting that tides are changing in East London. Keira Flannery has also been loaned out to Reading after signing her first professional contract with the Hammers.

But the Hammers have gone above and beyond in replacing those absentees. They’ve secured the services of Tottenham Hotspur’s Shelina Zadorsky on loan, reuniting with Rehanne Skinner after thriving under her in N17.

Australia’s Katrina Gorry is one of a handful of players swapping Vittsjö GIK for the Barclays Women’s Super League, with the midfielder looking to reinforce her new side as they strive to remain in the top flight come the end of the season. She’ll be aided by USA international Kristie Mewis, who has signed for an undisclosed fee just months after lifting the NWSL title with NYC Gotham.

Marika Bergman-Lundin also joins from Sweden’s BK Häcken.

There were well-founded concerns about West Ham United’s ability to survive in the WSL at the start of the season, but with investment like this, the Hammers should comfortably rise into mid-table security by the time May rolls around.