Arsenal are gearing up to chase their first Women's Super League crown since 2019, having bolstered their ranks with eight fresh acquisitions. Meanwhile, London City Lionesses have splashed a hefty sum on a summer of signings – highlighted by the arrival of Alexia Putellas, touted as the most high‑profile transfer the league has ever witnessed – and now find themselves in an unexpected title race. Manchester City have succeeded in retaining FWA Women's Footballer of the Year Bunny Shaw, but the question remains: have the defending champions done enough in the market to safeguard their reign?
Chelsea and Manchester United also step into the new campaign with lingering doubts about whether their recruitment has been sufficient to mount a genuine challenge for the top spot. By contrast, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur have both enjoyed eye‑catching transfer windows, adding depth and quality to their squads. As the WSL transfer window finally slams shut, we take a closer look at the summer's winners and losers, with the new season set to kick off on Friday night when London City host Manchester United live on Sky Sports.
**Sky Sports' Anton Toloui:** If you ask which club has improved the most this window and the answer isn’t Arsenal or London City, then those clubs need to have a serious word with their recruitment departments. Elisa De Almeida marks Arsenal’s eighth new signing, and the bulk of the arrivals are players who should be hitting the peak of their careers this season.
**Streaming Sky Sports flexibly with NOW** Enjoy a personal video feed via the Sky Sports app. For the best experience, use Chrome. Big expectations are placed on Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle, Geraldine Reuteler and several other newcomers as Arsenal aim to capture their first WSL title in four years. As for London City, a repeat sixth‑place finish after such an aggressive recruitment drive would be unacceptable.
**Anton Toloui again:** Arsenal are elated with their window; they feel they now possess a squad capable of taking on any opponent. Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle, Misa Rodríguez, Selina Cerci and Elisa De Almeida are all expected to lift the team’s standards and help Arsenal break the barrier that has held them back. Meanwhile, Renee Slegers has already expressed delight at the impact the new players are having at the London Colney training ground.
The club is also buzzing about Lisa Baum’s potential – she has been turning heads in recent sessions. Additionally, the returns of Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang later in the year add further optimism for the future.
**Anton Toloui on London City’s spending:** The Lionesses’ summer outlay should start to pay dividends. They have secured the favourite for this year’s Ballon d’Or – Alexia Putellas – a Champions League‑winning centre‑back in Mapi Leon, and a goalkeeper once voted the world’s best, Mary Earps. Age is no barrier; these players bring both quality and character, making London City genuine contenders.
Critics may argue the squad is ageing, that the pressure to click quickly is intense, or question whether the manager possesses enough big‑game experience. Yet, purely on talent, the roster is formidable. Some pundits view them as title challengers, others see them as top‑three hopefuls, while a few label them potential disappointments. The intrigue lies in watching how the season unfolds.
**Former England international Jill Scott:** When we discuss the big clubs, we always stress the importance of a world‑class goalkeeper. Mary Earps returning to the WSL will be massive for London City. The team also boasts a wealth of experience, and with Alexia Putellas in the mix, they will undoubtedly be among the league’s elite. **Anton Toloui on Manchester City:** City have not begun the season as they would like.
Injuries to key figures such as Vivianne Miedema, Jade Rose, Grace Clinton and Sydney Lohmann have already taken a toll. That explains their late‑window moves for Joe Echegini and the signing of Carlotta Wamser.
Adding Beth Mead and Niamh Charles expands their depth, but with Champions League football returning, doubts linger about whether the summer’s business was sufficient. **Jill Scott again:** In my view, City remain title favourites, largely because they retained Bunny Shaw.
Her goal‑scoring record speaks volumes, and with Beth Mead now providing additional firepower, I would still back City to win. **Anton Toloui on Manchester United:** United supporters should prepare for a shift in philosophy. The club has altered its ethos and appointed Eva Olid as head coach, signalling a focus on nurturing a new generation of talent.
This may mean different short‑term objectives compared to previous seasons. Nevertheless, United did spend roughly £700,000 at the tail end of the window to bring in Swedish winger Monica Jusu Bah and defender Rebecca Bernal. Bah adds pace and excitement, while Bernal contributes experience and grit.
The real test will be how they build on these signings, especially as Ella Toone enters the final year of her contract. **Anton Toloui on Chelsea:** Many expected Chelsea to go bigger this summer, and they did make moves, albeit not the blockbuster deals some hoped for. They offered a league‑leading contract to Bunny Shaw, who ultimately stayed at City. A potential world‑record fee was tabled for Swedish striker Felicity Schröder, but she chose Real Madrid.
Chelsea have added Katie McCabe and Melvine Malard, both bringing experience and dynamism to a side that appeared flat last season. The club is also enthusiastic about the signings of youngsters Giulia Dragoni and Manaka Matsukubo, who could exceed expectations.
**Anton Toloui on Tottenham Hotspur:** Spurs have a compelling roster. Caitlin Dijkstra brings UEFA Women’s Champions League experience, Kirsty Hanson enjoyed a stellar season at Aston Villa, Shekiera Martinez should add more goals, and Alice Sombath arrives with a European Cup winner’s medal from Lyon. Their aim is at least a fourth‑place finish. **West Ham United:** The Hammers are pleased with their off‑season activity.
Kelly Gago, who struggled at Everton, could become an exciting striker for East London. Ebony Salmon hopes to fulfil her early promise, and Laia Codina adds a World Cup‑winner’s medal to the dressing room. Their early test will be a trip to Spurs in week one. **Anton Toloui on Putellas’s impact:** Alexia Putellas is the biggest signing the league has ever seen, and her presence will be felt on many levels.
London City’s home ground in Bromley sold out for the first time as fans clamour to watch her debut. Major brands are now more likely to view both London City and the WSL as attractive partners, given Putellas’s global profile. Her experience as a four‑time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner and World Cup champion, combined with her relentless drive for success, has already influenced training sessions at London City.
The real question is how that translates onto the pitch. Putellas is confident she can deliver world‑class performances week after week, a prospect that excites supporters and rivals alike.
No player in the WSL has ever claimed the Ballon d’Or; Putellas hopes her early season form will finally break that drought. **Match details:** Watch London City vs Manchester United live on Sky Sports Football from 6 pm on Friday, with kickoff at 8 pm. Follow the action across Sky Sports’ digital platforms, and catch in‑game clips and free highlights shortly after full‑time.
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