On January 2nd, 2026, the transfer windows for most European leagues, including the WSL, will open. Players whose contracts expire in the summer of 2026 can sign pre-contracts with new clubs or speak freely to new clubs to move in January or sign contracts with a new club upon the end of their current contract. The window will close on February 3rd at 7pm.
Last January, we saw some big moments, for example, on deadline day, Chloe Kelly pushed for a loan deal from Manchester City to Arsenal amid the toxicity. Chelsea splashed the cash for Naomi Girma and Keira Walsh. At the same time, City signed Kerolin and Rebecca Knaak.
Signe Gaupset signed a contract with Spurs, but it does not fully come into form until January, when the window is open, then she will join the WSL. A host of players from Scandinavia are likely to join as the leagues in Sweden and Norway have finished for the season and are already linked with clubs.
Possible rumoured signings
Arsenal are reportedly looking to sign Swedish right-back Smilla Holmberg, if you recognise that name and you don't know why. She missed her penalty against England in the quarter-finals of the Euros, and the country was knocked out after she skied it. Her transfer from Hammarby will directly compete with Emily Fox, who is in the final year of her contract.
Spurs are interested in signing former Manchester City player Julie Blakstad, who also plays for Hammarby. This comes as the side needs greater reinforcements if it wishes to fight on all four fronts. Another big rumour is that they want to sign another Swedish centre-back, Hanna Lundkvist, who is a free agent after leaving San Diego Wave in the NWSL. She is also mentioned in the transfer rumours and is reportedly being targeted by Lea Schuller as defensive reinforcements.
The Red Devils are interested in Lea Schuller, who was in tears after what could be her last Bayern Munich game, a club she’s played her career at, which could show a sign that she’s moving on. She is their key target, as they want a high-quality forward mid-season. Multiple outlets have linked her to a move, and her contract situation at Bayern makes it plausible.
Arsenal have confirmed they are after a goalkeeper after their second-choice keeper, Manu Zinsberger, is out with an ACL injury, and their first-choice, Daphne Van Domsalaar, was injured just before the winter break. There are questions about the future of Jenna Nighswonger after struggling for minutes, with fans and pundits unimpressed by how the Gunners have treated her since she joined in January.
Liverpool, who are currently without a WSL win and just got smashed in the League Cup 9-1 by Chelsea, are close to signing Alice Bergstrom from BK Hacken.
There have been rumours of WSL interest in Trinity Rodman, but with the NWSL changing their wage cap, she could sign a new contract with the Washington Spirit.
Catarina Macario could be returning home, as rumours suggest she will leave Chelsea in January ahead of her contract expiring in the summer of 2026. Multiple NWSL teams are reportedly interested, particularly Bay FC, but any move may be structured as a summer transfer agreed in January.
NWSL is especially relevant, as are the Scandinavian leagues. The US has its pre-contact rules allowing players finishing European contracts to set up moves well ahead of the summer.
January will see teams attempting a mid-season boost and the possibility of clubs saying goodbye to their superstars.
Add comment
Comments