Insights on Women’s Super League Transfers and Future Prospects

Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas has secured the prestigious Ballon d’Or in both 2021 and 2022.

With the transfer deadline now passed, teams in the Women’s Super League (WSL) are gearing up for the remainder of the season.

Emma Sanders, a women’s football news reporter for BBC Sport, engaged with fans on Reddit, addressing a variety of questions concerning the intricacies of the transfer window, surprising moves such as Chelsea’s, and the future of Spanish football sensation Alexia Putellas.

**Q. As a newcomer to women’s football, I still don’t know how/why only some transfer fees are released and also if they are real? Is the BBC provided with figures by agents, clubs, or other means?**
**Emma:** This topic presents a significant challenge! Clubs often refrain from disclosing transfer fees, which necessitates extensive effort from us to obtain that information through our sources. While some teams are cooperative and confirm fees off the record, we’ve encountered numerous instances where one club reports one fee, only for another to contradict it. If it were up to me, FIFA would make all fees public. Transparency is crucial for fans who wish to understand how clubs allocate their funds, especially considering fan investments.

**Q. Have you ever been completely blindsided by a transfer? Like no one had a clue the player might be moving until it was announced by the club?**
**Emma:** Absolutely! There are few of us dedicated to covering women’s football media full-time, particularly for national broadcasters and newspapers. This limited coverage makes it challenging to track every player movement. Thankfully, as more individuals cover the women’s game, such surprises occur less frequently. However, I have certainly experienced being blindsided in the past. Typically, we receive hints about potential moves, but without sufficient confirmation or knowledge of the destination club.

**Q. Have you heard the rumors of Alexia Putellas to London City Lionesses in the summer?**
**Emma:** The upcoming months regarding Putellas will be particularly intriguing. She has the option to join virtually any club worldwide or remain at Barcelona. Currently, she is still weighing her choices, though there are indications of interest from WSL clubs. The London City Lionesses possess both the financial resources and ambition, so they should not be dismissed as contenders.

**Q. Do you think it is curious that Chelsea were quiet?**
**Emma:** Indeed, it is puzzling. They are out of the WSL title race, dealing with injuries, and clearly needed to bolster their squad ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals. I found it disappointing.

**Q. Any updates on Katie McCabe and Arsenal? Where would you like her to go?**
**Emma:** With McCabe’s contract nearing its end and no discussions on renewal, it has long been anticipated that she would depart in the summer. While she has yet to determine her future, she undoubtedly has options. I believe she is more than capable of playing at the Champions League level, and I would prefer to see her remain in Europe, ideally within the WSL. Manchester City could be a fitting, albeit controversial, option for fans.

**Q. Was there interest in [Arsenal midfielder] Victoria Pelova or a transfer request? I felt like if Georgia Stanway was about to get in, she would’ve been free to leave.**
**Emma:** Pelova is among several players expected to be out of contract this summer at Arsenal, leaving her future uncertain. While I’m not aware of a formal transfer request, it would be surprising if she doesn’t move. The club is entering a transition phase with potential incoming players like Stanway and Ona Batlle.

There has also been interest in Emily Fox, with Arsenal looking to extend her contract. Although it was previously reported that her deal would expire this summer, I have been informed that she may actually be contracted until 2027, not 2026, as originally thought, allowing more time for negotiations.

**Q. Just wondering if there’s been any updates regarding Bunny Shaw’s contract?**
**Emma:** I am actively monitoring this situation. The latest update suggests that discussions have been positive, but it is concerning that an agreement has not yet been reached. I would be surprised if she were to leave.

**Q. Can you comment on Brighton’s January window? It seemed like a very muted month. Are they happy with their squad? Also, do you have any information about Fran Kirby and whether she was approached during the window?**
**Emma:** Personally, I believe Brighton is lacking in forward positions, and I would have liked to see them take more action. Their recruitment approach is data-driven, which has its merits, but I suspect they may have overlooked a potential target. A busy summer is anticipated, especially given that this season is a non-major tournament year in Europe. Regarding Kirby, I have seen reports from Italian media stating that Juventus made bids. However, I can confirm that Brighton would not have been willing to sell at any price during January.

Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie return for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes are released every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, offering interviews and additional content from the Women’s Super League and beyond.

Stay updated with the latest WSL news on our dedicated page.