Arsenal are on the brink of clinching their first Women's Super League crown since 2019 after an aggressive recruitment drive that saw eight newcomers added to the roster. At the same time, London City Lionesses have splashed a huge amount of money this summer, highlighted by the acquisition of Alexia Putellas – touted as the most high‑profile signing in the league’s history – and now appear to be mounting a genuine title challenge. Manchester City managed to retain FWA Women's Footballer of the Year Bunny Shaw, but the question remains: have the defending champions done enough in the market to guarantee another successful campaign? Meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester United are heading into the new season with lingering doubts about whether their transfer activity will be sufficient to keep them in contention for the top spot.
By contrast, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur have both enjoyed eye‑catching windows, bringing in a mix of experience and youthful promise. As the WSL transfer window finally closes, we take a closer look at the clubs that have emerged as clear winners and those that may have missed the mark, with the new season set to kick off on Friday night when London City host Manchester United on Sky Sports. Sky Sports analyst Anton Toloui summed it up succinctly: "If the answer to ‘Who improved the most this window?’ isn’t Arsenal or London City, then those clubs need to have a serious word with their recruitment departments." Arsenal’s eighth new signing, Elisa De Almeida, joins a group of players who are entering what is traditionally considered the peak years of their careers.
The Gunners have also secured Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle, Misa Rodríguez, Selina Cerci and several other high‑calibre names, all expected to lift the side’s standards and finally break the post‑2019 title drought. Arsenal’s ambition is clear. The club’s hierarchy believes they now possess a squad capable of taking on any opponent.
Stanway’s creative spark, Batlle’s attacking flair, Rodríguez’s solidity between the posts and Cerci’s goal‑scoring instinct are all viewed as vital components in the plan to reclaim the league trophy. In addition, the return of promising talents Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang later in the season adds depth and future potential, while the emergence of Lisa Baum in training has generated considerable excitement among the coaching staff.
London City Lionesses, on the other hand, have embarked on an unprecedented spending spree. The headline signing of Alexia Putellas – a favorite for this year’s Ballon d'Or – is complemented by the arrival of Champions League‑winning centre‑back Mapi Leon and former world‑best goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Despite concerns about the age profile of some of these stars, the consensus among pundits is that their quality and mental toughness are sufficient to turn London City into genuine contenders. Some analysts even list the Lionesses among the top‑three title hopefuls, while others caution that the pressure to deliver immediately could be a double‑edged sword. 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 the Lionesses. She also praised the experience that Putellas brings, suggesting that her presence alone will elevate the team’s performance levels.
Manchester City have not started the season without challenges. 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, resulting in the signings of Joe Echegini and Carlotta Wamser. The addition of Beth Mead and Niamh Charles adds further depth, but questions linger about whether the summer’s activity has been enough to maintain City’s dominance, especially with the return of Champions League fixtures on the horizon. Nevertheless, Jill Scott remains confident that City are still favourites.
Retaining Bunny Shaw, whose goal‑scoring record speaks for itself, combined with the firepower of Beth Mead, gives the defending champions a potent attacking edge. Manchester United have undergone a philosophical shift under new head coach Eva Olid, who aims to usher in a fresh generation of talent. The club invested roughly £700,000 in the final days of the window to acquire Swedish winger Monica Jusu Bah and defender Rebecca Bernal, adding pace, excitement, experience and resilience to the squad. However, the looming expiry of Ella Toone’s contract adds a layer of uncertainty to United’s immediate plans.
Chelsea, traditionally a heavyweight, fell short of expectations in the market. They missed out on a league‑leading contract offer to Bunny Shaw, who ultimately stayed at City, and a potential world‑record fee for Swedish striker Felicity Schroder, who chose Real Madrid instead.
Still, the club secured the services of seasoned internationals Katie McCabe and Melvine Malard, while also investing in promising youngsters Giulia Dragoni and Manaka Matsukubo, hoping they will exceed their projected impact. Spurs have also made a statement with their acquisitions.
Caitlin Dijkstra brings UEFA Women’s Champions League experience, Kirsty Hanson arrives after a stellar season at Aston Villa, Shekiera Martinez adds goal‑scoring depth and Alice Sombath arrives as a European champion from Lyon. Their target appears to be a top‑four finish, and the blend of experience and youth could make them a dark horse.
West Ham United are equally pleased with their summer moves. Striker Kelly Gago, who struggled for minutes at Everton, offers a new attacking option for East London.
Ebony Salmon, eager to fulfil her early promise, joins a squad that also welcomes World Cup‑winner Laia Codina. Their early test against Spurs away in the opening week will be a good indicator of whether they can translate summer optimism into on‑field results.
The arrival of Alexia Putellas has generated unprecedented excitement for London City. Their home ground in Bromley sold out for the first time, as fans clamoured to witness the former Ballon d'Or winner’s debut.
Putellas’ global profile is expected to attract major sponsors and elevate the commercial appeal of both the Lionesses and the WSL as a whole. Her four UEFA Women’s Champions League titles, World Cup triumph and relentless drive for success have already made an impact in training sessions; the real test will be her performances on match days.
No player in the WSL has yet won the Ballon d’Or, and Putellas hopes that a strong start with London City will finally break that drought. The upcoming clash between London City and Manchester United, broadcast live on Sky Sports at 6 p.m. (kick‑off at 8 p.m.), will be a showcase of the league’s growing star power and a litmus test for how far the summer signings have reshaped the competitive landscape.
In summary, Arsenal appear to be the most satisfied with their window, having assembled a squad that blends proven internationals with emerging talent. London City’s blockbuster spending has turned heads and raised expectations, though the pressure to deliver will be immense.
Manchester City retain a strong core but must navigate injury setbacks and prove their summer additions are sufficient. Chelsea, United, West Ham and Tottenham have all made strategic moves, but only time will reveal whether they have closed the gap on the league’s elite. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the new WSL season promises a thrilling battle for supremacy.