Arsenal are poised to chase their first Women's Super League crown since 2019 after a busy transfer window that saw eight new faces added to the roster. At the same time, London City Lionesses have splashed the cash, most notably securing Alexia Putellas—widely billed as the most high‑profile acquisition in the league’s history—and are now mounting an unexpected title challenge.
Manchester City have managed to retain FWA Women's Footballer of the Year Bunny Shaw, yet doubts linger over whether the champions have done enough in the market to defend their trophy. Chelsea and Manchester United enter the new campaign with lingering questions about the depth and quality of their summer signings, especially when compared with the more flamboyant activity of West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur, both of which enjoyed eye‑catching recruitment drives.
As the WSL transfer window finally slams shut, we take a closer look at the summer's winners and losers, with the season set to kick off on Friday night when London City host Manchester United on Sky Sports. According to Sky Sports analyst Anton Toloui, if the answer to “who improved the most this window?” isn’t Arsenal or London City, then their scouting departments need a serious rethink.
Arsenal’s eighth signing, Elisa De Almeida, joins a group of players who are entering what many consider the peak years of their careers. The Gunners are banking on the impact of Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle, Geraldine Reuteler and several others to finally lift the league title after a five‑year drought. London City, on the other hand, will not settle for another sixth‑place finish after a summer of big‑money signings.
The club’s ambition is evident: they have secured the favourite for this year’s Ballon d’Or in Alexia Putellas, added Champions League‑winning centre‑back Mapi Leon, and brought in goalkeeper Mary Earps, who was once hailed as the world’s best between the sticks. Regardless of age, these players possess the talent and mental strength to turn London City into genuine contenders. Some pundits already list them among the title‑challengers, others see them as top‑three hopefuls, while a few warn of potential disappointment if the squad cannot gel quickly enough. Former England international Jill Scott highlighted the importance of a world‑class goalkeeper, noting that Mary Earps’ return to the WSL will be a massive boost for London City.
She also praised the experience within the squad, especially the influence of Putellas, whose presence alone elevates the team’s profile. Manchester City’s start to the season looks shaky. Injuries to key figures such as Vivianne Miedema, Jade Rose, Grace Clinton and Sydney Lohmann have forced the club to act late in the window, signing Joe Echegini and Carlotta Wamser to shore up the ranks.
The addition of Beth Mead and Niamh Charles adds depth, but with the Champions League looming, questions remain about whether the summer’s business was sufficient. Nonetheless, Jill Scott remains confident that City are still title favourites, largely because they retained Bunny Shaw, whose goal‑scoring record speaks for itself, and now have Beth Mead to share the scoring burden.
Manchester United face a new reality under head coach Eva Olid, who has been tasked with ushering in a fresh generation of talent. The club spent roughly £700,000 at the tail end of the window to bring in Swedish winger Monica Jusu Bah and defender Rebecca Bernal, injecting pace, excitement, experience and grit into the squad. United’s biggest test will be how they manage the final year of Ella Toone’s contract and whether they can translate these signings into a realistic title push. Chelsea, traditionally a powerhouse, seemed to under‑deliver in the market.
They missed out on Bunny Shaw, who chose to stay at City, and a reported world‑record bid for Sweden striker Felicity Schroder fell through as she opted for Real Madrid. However, Chelsea did secure Katie McCabe and Melvine Malard, whose experience should add dynamism to a side that appeared flat last season.
The club is also optimistic about the potential impact of youngsters Giulia Dragoni and Manaka Matsukubo, who could surprise with significant contributions. Tottenham Hotspur have been impressive in their acquisitions.
Caitlin Dijkstra arrives with UEFA Women’s Champions League experience, Kirsty Hanson impressed at Aston Villa, Shekiera Martinez promises more goals, and Alice Sombath joins as a recent European champion with Lyon. Spurs are targeting at least a fourth‑place finish, and their new signings suggest they have the quality to compete with the league’s elite. West Ham also enjoyed a productive summer.
Striker Kelly Gago, who struggled for minutes at Everton, is expected to add firepower to the East London side. Ebony Salmon looks to fulfil her early promise, while Laia Codina brings a World Cup winner’s medal to the dressing room.
Their early test will come against Tottenham in the opening week, a match that could indicate whether they have closed the gap on the traditional top clubs. Putellas’ arrival has already generated massive excitement. London City’s home ground in Bromley sold out for the first time, with fans eager to witness her debut.
Her global stature is likely to attract major brands to the WSL, enhancing the league’s commercial appeal. Putellas, a four‑time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner and World Cup champion, has already made an impact in training with her relentless drive for success.
On the pitch, she hopes to translate her world‑class talent into consistent performances that could finally break the league’s Ballon d’Or drought. In summary, the summer transfer window has reshaped the competitive landscape of the WSL. Arsenal’s eight‑player influx positions them as serious title contenders, while London City’s blockbuster signings make them the most talked‑about squad in the league.
Manchester City retain a core of champions but must navigate injuries and prove their summer moves were enough. Chelsea, United, Spurs and West Ham each have unique narratives that will unfold over the coming months. The real test begins on Friday when London City host Manchester United, a match that promises to set the tone for what could be a thrilling and unpredictable season.