Chelsea approached the January transfer window cautiously, opting to focus on contract renewals rather than major acquisitions. The club has reportedly held discussions with key players, including Sam Kerr, Hannah Hampton, Aggie Beever-Jones, and Lucy Bronze, though none of these extensions have been formally confirmed. Manager Sonia Bompastor indicated that private conversations had taken place and expressed confidence that both the club and the players are aligned on plans. Speaking after Chelsea’s 5-1 defeat to Manchester City, Bompastor admitted that the club would have liked to be in a stronger position in the previous window, acknowledging lessons learned and the need for more proactive action in the future. Rumours continue to circulate regarding Georgia Stanway’s potential summer move to Arsenal, while speculation linking Sjoeke Nüsken with Bayern Munich seems unlikely. Nüsken remains central to Chelsea’s plans after signing a contract extension until 2027, and any departure is expected in future windows rather than imminently.
Arsenal took a measured approach to January recruitment, focusing on targeted reinforcements while preparing for a summer in which several core players’ contracts expire. Smilla Holmberg joined on a long-term contract from Hammarby IF. The 19-year-old has already amassed 96 senior appearances and scored 10 goals across four seasons, playing a pivotal role in Hammarby’s Damallsvenskan title in 2023 and Swedish Cup victories in both 2023 and 2025. Holmberg made her senior international debut for Sweden in May 2025 and contributed to Euro 2025, helping Sweden reach the quarter-finals. Known for her pace, stamina, and composure, Holmberg is well-suited to Arsenal’s aggressive, high-positioned full-back system. In goal, the club added Barbora Votíková on loan from Slavia Prague for the remainder of the season, providing calm distribution, leadership, and international experience to strengthen Arsenal’s depth during a congested fixture period. Arsenal are expected to remain active in the summer, particularly as players such as Katie McCabe and Emily Fox approach contract expiration, while Barcelona full-back Ona Batlle has also been linked as a potential arrival.
Aston Villa bolstered their squad with both loan and permanent signings. Jenna Nighswonger arrived on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season after limited opportunities at her parent club, where she played just 16 minutes across all competitions. The move offers Nighswonger the chance to regain rhythm, confidence, and consistent playing time, while providing Villa with attacking energy from the full-back position, strong ball progression, and precise crossing. Oriane Jean-François completed a permanent move from Chelsea, having made 22 appearances in Chelsea’s treble-winning season. The France international brings discipline, athleticism, and excellent ball recovery to Villa’s midfield, providing transitional control and spatial coverage. With 21 France caps and experience in Euro 2025, she arrives match-ready and immediately enhances Villa’s midfield reliability.
Everton strengthened both their defence and midfield during the window. Hannah Blundell joined on loan from Manchester United following her return from maternity leave, adding defensive reliability and WSL experience across the back line. Slovenian teenager Zara Kramžar arrived on loan from Roma, bringing creativity, confidence in possession, and line-breaking ability, offering both immediate attacking support and developmental opportunities. Laila Harbert also joined on loan, adding composure in midfield, the ability to progress play under pressure, and tactical discipline, improving Everton’s control and structural balance.
Leicester City focused on strengthening multiple areas of their squad. Emma Jansson arrived from Rosengård, bringing energy, positional discipline, and tactical intelligence to bolster Leicester’s midfield structure. Ashleigh Neville joined from Tottenham Hotspur, providing defensive leadership, organisational experience, and expertise as a wing-back. Leicester also signed proven WSL striker Rachel Williams from Manchester United, offering physical presence, aerial threat, and clutch-game experience. Alisha Lehmann arrived to add pace, dribbling ability, and a direct attacking threat from vast areas. At the same time, Sarah Mayling joined on loan from Aston Villa to provide defensive versatility and dependable cover across the back line.
Liverpool was active throughout the window, adding multiple key pieces to their squad. Alice Bergström joined from BK Häcken on 2 January 2026, a versatile right-sided defender who can also operate further up the flank. She played a crucial role in Häcken’s 2025 Damallsvenskan title campaign, offering both pace and attacking intent. Anna Jøsendal signed on 9 January from Hammarby IF, strengthening Liverpool’s attacking options with a blend of goal-scoring threat, creativity, and intelligent movement in the final third. Denise O’Sullivan completed a permanent move from North Carolina Courage on 17 January for a club-record fee, bringing leadership, experience, and NWSL pedigree to the midfield. Aurélie Csillag joined on 19 January from SC Freiburg, contributing pace, technical quality, and direct attacking play. Jennifer Falk arrived on loan in early January to provide depth and competition in goal, while Martha Thomas completed a late loan move from Tottenham Hotspur, adding physicality, work rate, and WSL experience to Liverpool’s forward line.
London City Lionesses made one of the headline moves of the window by signing Delphine Cascarino on a three-and-a-half-year deal. Cascarino arrives with nine French League titles, six Champions League titles, two NWSL seasons with San Diego Wave, 86 caps for France, and standout form at Euro 2025. Her pace, creativity, and attacking output are expected to transform London City’s offensive potential immediately. On deadline day, the Lionesses added Malou Marcetto from Madrid CFF, bringing technical quality, tactical flexibility, and creative depth to complement Cascarino.
Manchester City completed a central midfield signing with Sam Coffey from Portland Thorns. The traditional number six brings composure, tactical intelligence, leadership, and the ability to control tempo. As a repeated NWSL Best XI selection and Thorns captain, Coffey provides Manchester City with immediate stability in midfield and championship-level credentials.
Manchester United strengthened across attack and defence. Lea Schüller joined on a three-and-a-half-year deal after scoring over 100 goals for Bayern Munich and winning four Bundesliga titles, bringing elite finishing and Champions League pedigree. Hanna Lundkvist, a 23-year-old Swedish right-back, signed until 2029, adding athleticism, international experience, and defensive depth. Forward Ellen Wangerheim joined after more than 100 senior appearances with Hammarby, offering versatility, dynamism, and long-term attacking potential.
Tottenham Hotspur Women brought in multiple reinforcements. Julie Blakstad joined on a permanent deal from Hammarby IF, offering Champions League experience, versatility, and consistent attacking output from vast areas. Signe Gaupset arrived from SK Brann as a high-upside prospect, providing pace, directness, and technical potential. Matilda Nildén and Hanna Wijk joined from BK Häcken, with Nildén adding threat in transition from broad areas and Wijk contributing composure, positional intelligence, and defensive versatility. Maika Hamano arrived on loan from Chelsea, bringing creativity, technical quality, and tactical flexibility across the frontline.
West Ham United Women strengthened across multiple positions. Ria Bose joined from Sporting CP as a technically gifted attacking midfielder, comfortable operating between the lines and in half-spaces. Estelle Cascarino arrived on loan from Juventus, providing elite defensive experience, composure, and leadership. Rebekah Dowsett joined from Watford, offering aerial strength, domestic experience, and squad depth. Tuva Hansen arrived from Bayern Munich, bringing Champions League pedigree, versatility, and leadership to West Ham’s defence. Ylinn Tennebø strengthened the midfield, offering balance, defensive coverage, and tempo control. Katie Zelem joined on loan from London City Lionesses, elevating West Ham’s midfield with leadership, elite passing range, and improved game management. The club also sold defender Anouk Denton to Bay FC for a reported £200,000, a club-record fee. Denton, a former Arsenal academy graduate, became a WSL regular and earned her first senior England cap in 2025. The move reflects her development and the broader trend of English players moving to the NWSL, while giving West Ham financial flexibility during a period of squad transition.
The January window has delivered a mixture of immediate reinforcements, long-term succession planning, and strategic loans. While Chelsea took a cautious approach, other WSL clubs moved decisively to strengthen their squads ahead of the final months of the 2025/26 season and to prepare for an active summer of potential transfers. With young talents arriving, high-profile internationals returning from the NWSL, and tactical depth being added across multiple positions, the league continues to evolve in both quality and competitiveness, maintaining its status as one of the WSL in the world.
Add comment
Comments