With the January transfer market officially open in the WSL, the reports and rumours of transfers have begun swirling. Some are more likely to occur, but clubs are hoping to push and spend the cash ahead of the second half of the season.
Recent speculation linking Sjoeke Nüsken with a move to Bayern Munich appears unlikely in the near term. The 24-year-old midfielder signed a contract extension with Chelsea in October 2025, keeping her at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2027, which would require Bayern to pay a significant fee to secure her. Nüsken has been a key player since joining Chelsea from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023, helping the club win the Women’s Super League and a domestic treble, and establishing herself as a combative, technical, and versatile midfielder capable of both defensive and box-to-box roles. She was even nominated for the Ballon d’Or after her debut season in blue.
Despite summer speculation about her future, Nüsken has reaffirmed her commitment to Chelsea, making nine appearances so far this season and continuing to deliver strong performances. Her inclusion in Chelsea’s travelling squad for their winter training camp in Portugal further suggests she is entirely part of the club’s plans and not expected to leave this season. With her contract secure and her role central to the team’s ambitions, any potential move is now likely to be postponed until at least next summer.
Other rumours include Japan midfielder Maika Hamano departing Chelsea on loan to Spurs. This seems even more likely, as she was included in Chelsea's week-long camp in Portugal, which likely means this loan will be agreed upon or announced within the coming days, and that’s why she did not travel.
Reports have suggested West Ham might have to fend off interest in New England senior debut star Anouk Denton. With interests coming from Juventus. She earned player of the match award against Leicester City in November of 2025 and made her first senior England debut on the 2nd December 2025 as a substitute against Ghana at St Marys Stadium becoming the first player to appear for England while a West Ham Player since 1996 for the women.
Manchester United have been busy so far this transfer window with two new signs and contract extensions in the works. They have exercised the to extend the contracts of Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Lisa Naalsund and Gabby George, until 2027.
Chelsea have many of their big senior stars contracts coming to an end in the summer so the clock is counting down. They are now set to contract talks Sam Kerr, Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze all have just six months left on their current deals with negotiations due to begin soon.
Georgia Stanway is another star who is running down her contract it seems with Bayern Munich. There’s rumours she could sign a pre-contract deal in January to come back to the WSL after previously playing for Manchester City this time with Arsenal. She said: “Arsenal has always been a winning team for me. They set standards, both on the pitch, organisationally and in terms of marketing. While she has an offer to extend in Germany she could sign a contract now to join another club in the summer.
Arsenal have been pursuing Hammarby full-back Smilla Holmberg, with the Scandinavian league over for the season January is the time when they pursue careers outside their league especially the WSL.
The Republic of Ireland star Denise O’Sullivan is eyeing up a return to the big time in the WSL and it seems like it could be with Liverpool.
Manchester City top scorer Khadija Shaw, 28, has had positive discussions over a contract extension, which is a huge priority for the club.
European champions Arsenal want to keep US international Emily Fox and she joins Katie McCabe, Kim Little and Stina Blackstenius in having a deal that expires this summer.
Aston Villa captain Rachel Daly is out of contract next summer according to the club
Elsewhere, Everton forward Kelly Gago, 27 on 5 January, has reportedly attracted interest from Paris St-Germain but with a valuation of £500,000
All eyes will be on US striker Trinity Rodman, who could be on the move from Washington Spirit depending on the outcome of salary negotiations with the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Chelsea are among those tracking Rodman's situation.
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