Transfer Priorities for every WSL club in this January window
We take a look at what business each WSL team should prioritise in this January transfer window and discuss some early rumours.
With the new year in full swing, the transfer window is also back open once again. In January, clubs have the chance to recruit additions to bolster their squads for the second half of the season and beyond.
The January window also can see some high-profile moves take place still and you would think that clubs are already working on any plans they may have and fixing areas of priority before the window shuts on Thursday 30th January at 23:00 GMT.
In this piece, I will go through every WSL team and discuss areas in which they can look to make signings, plus rumours and any other business that could potentially happen in terms of outgoings too.
Let us know in the comments any moves you think could realistically happen in this January transfer window ⬇️
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Arsenal
It could potentially be an active window for Arsenal both in terms of incomings and outgoings. Starting firstly on any new signings they could make, rumours again are swirling in terms of an interest in Barcelona and England midfielder Keira Walsh after a world-record bid was rejected back in the summer. Plus, she has just six months left on her Barca contract and hasn’t featured regularly this season for the Spanish champions, so could Arsenal make another bid to sign her in this window or wait until they can sign her for free?
Arsenal also probably could do with at least one defensive reinforcement to help give them a few options, which they have lacked at times due to injuries, however, Steph Catley has recently been very assured at centre-back alongside Leah Williamson.
Now to the outgoings and one player who could leave for the right fee is Kathrine Kühl who has been linked with a move to Everton, having played just 19 minutes for Arsenal this season across multiple competitions (WSL and UWCL).
Aston Villa
This window could be intriguing for Aston Villa, but more focus is probably going to be on finding a new manager, plus they have quite a few of their players including Rachel Daly, Jordan Nobbs and Kirsty Hanson on expiring contracts.
If there is one area that Aston Villa should prioritise it is in their defence with proper reinforcements required now given it has been an area where they have struggled this season. As of the time of writing, there haven’t been any rumours of any potential signings or outgoings for Villa.
Brighton
Their business from the summer window has proven to be a success given how the first half of this campaign has gone for Brighton as they sit fifth placed in the WSL table and this window is one where they might be a little quieter in terms of incomings.
Dario Vidošić has spoken about potentially doing some business and adding to the squad if there are any available quality options which they can get over the line this month. There haven’t yet been any rumours around Brighton, nor have any exits been discussed but with Guro Bergsvand and Pauline Bremer out of contract this summer, they are both free to discuss moves abroad if they wish.
Chelsea
With injuries in their defence, Chelsea might want to look for an option to cover the absence of Kadeisha Buchanan given she is out for the season. It’s just a case of whether they would want to sign anybody who would be a long-term option or if they would be looking more for in the short-term.
In midfield, you could say that they do lack a player who you would describe as a ‘number 6’ type player who can add a bit more balance to their midfield, so is that something that they may wish to rectify in this window as well? Another priority should be to lock down many of their players to new contracts, with six months left on deals for the likes of Millie Bright, Erin Cuthbert and Guro Reiten.
Crystal Palace
Sitting bottom of the WSL table, Palace may have to be active in this window and try to make some attacking additions because bringing somebody who could offer more of an attacking threat and add more goals to their squad could be key to them surviving relegation come May.
The word is well that they did miss out on some defensive targets back in the summer and with injuries in that area, they could perhaps look to be making defensive additions and strengthen there as well just like other teams.
Everton
With their takeover now over the line, could we see Everton be very active in this January transfer window? Well technically, they have adding to the squad already with the signing of French forward Kelly Gago from Nantes before the window opened. There is also the rumour of them looking at bringing in Kathrine Kühl as mentioned already. Kühl played for Everton on loan from Arsenal a year ago in the second half of last season.
A priority for them will be to add a bit more depth to their squad to cover the injuries to many of their players and with a small squad, it has meant that many young players have been given opportunities over the last year or so. That also means outgoings may be unlikely at this time for that reason as well.
Leicester City
With injuries to a few players at Leicester City it is likely that they have to do some business in this transfer window and the area they should be prioritising is in the attack. Because of injuries to the likes of Jutta Rantala, Lena Petermann and Noémie Mouchon, they are short on options up front and it has affected them in terms of scoring goals.
There are no early rumours just yet as of time of writing but it would be a surprise if they aren’t looking to be active. Also, they have a few players with expiring contracts which they will have to look at.
Liverpool
With the way injuries have stacked up and their form was going in the first half of this season, manager Matt Beard will be wanting to make some additions and reinforce his team with some quality to help turn their season back around. They are a team that does have a tight budget so it’ll be interesting to see how many they can actually make.
There has been an early rumour of a potential loan move for Bayern Munich’s Scottish midfielder Sam Kerr, with Emma Sanders reporting for BBC Sport that they have had a longstanding interest. But with outgoings, they have players such as Taylor Hinds, Ceri Holland and Fuka Nagano all with expiring contracts this summer. Japanese midfielder Fuka Nagano is rumoured to have interest from other clubs.
Manchester City
Other than Everton’s transfer before the window opened, Manchester City also have been active already and announced a new signing that should solve one of their problems with Alex Greenwood’s injury causing an issue for defensive options in the squad. They have added 28-year-old German defender Rebecca Knaak from FC Rosengård who could be a solid option to cover for Greenwood’s absence.
Elsewhere, eyes will be on Chloe Kelly’s future again and whether there is a chance of her leaving in this window for a fee rather than City allowing her to leave on a free in the summer which feels likely given her game time has dropped significantly this season. Other contract extensions to some players could be looked at as well.
Manchester United
They did do a lot of business in the summer because of the players who left them, so could it actually be a quiet one for Manchester United? In terms of incomings, it may possibly be that way. But if there was an outgoing or two in this window, could that change plans?
Welsh midfielder Hayley Ladd’s future is one of discussion with her not featuring a lot for United this season in both league and cup competitions. She is also out of contract in the summer so could leave before then for a fee if they were to receive a bid. They also need to sort out other key players with expiring deals as well such as Grace Clinton, Millie Turner and Jayde Rivière.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham could be active in this window as well and rumours have already been made in regards to a new goalkeeper joining them which is definitely an area they have needed to reinforce for a while now. 31-year-old Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk has been mentioned by BBC Sport’s Emma Sanders as an option from BK Häcken.
Tottenham may also benefit from reinforcing their options in midfield and attack as well just to strengthen themselves in those areas of the pitch as well. The same goes for them with certain first-team players’ contracts expiring in the summer too.
West Ham United
With the way West Ham operates not having the biggest budget in the league, they might have to be smart in terms of any business they decide to do, if they even do make any incomings this January that is.
There haven’t been any rumours of specific players that they are looking to sign, but the main area they could do with bolstering is their attacking midfield options as a way of bringing in more quality to the squad. But as mentioned, they will have to be shrewd in their recruitment if they are to do so.