Women’s Super League: what can we expect in the January WSL transfer window?

It’s a new year that only means one thing in football: the January transfer window is open.

Coronavirus restrictions may limit WSL club activity in January, but we’ve learned to expect a few surprises.

So who could move? Who needs to sign new offers? And which clubs should spend?

New contracts and loan agreements

Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema, the WSL all-time goal scoring record holder, was “at the top of ArsenalThe list “in terms of offering new contracts,” manager Joe Montemurro said in October.

“We’re already starting to see where we’re heading with leadership for next year and years to come, but obviously Viv will be at the top of this list and we’ll do everything we can to make sure Viv stays a part of the group,” “he said.

Those talks were due to take place in November, but with his current contract expiring at the end of 2021-2022, there has still not been a deal.

Meanwhile, Birmingham City are eager to enter into a permanent agreement or loan extension for the defender Rachel Corsie, who is currently at the club until the end of January on the U.S. side of the Utah Royals.

Players are due to report to National Women’s Football League clubs on February 1 for the start of a two-month preseason campaign, but there is also an international window this month.

Who could be active in the market?

Birmingham City and Everton are expected to sign.

Birmingham boss Carla Ward said in December she wanted ‘four through the door’ but admitted ‘we don’t have much money’.

It could be limited on the loan options given Birmingham already have the maximum of two players over 23 on temporary deals (Georgia Brougham of Everton, plus Corsie).

A replacement goalkeeper and striker are on the wishlist for Ward to look to the former club Sheffield united.

She worked well at United with the forwards Katie Wilkinson, Jade Pennock and Veatriki Sarri, they would therefore be ideal targets. Chelsea have also added a new goalkeeper to their squad, so the former Birmingham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, 30, may be an option with a little over a year left on his contract.

Meanwhile, Everton Boss Willie Kirk said “January is a window in which we will be active,” but added that he also wanted to plan for the future.

Rikke Sevecke is expected to be out at least until the end of the month and forward Valerie Gauvin has been ruled out long-term so they could be areas Kirk is looking to cover.

The Toffees, along with German club Frankfurt, were linked with a move for US defender Emily Sonnett, but she recently left Orlando Pride for the Spirit of Washington.

Elsewhere, after investing in the summer, Manchester United could seek to unload the players.

Scotland striker Jane Ross, 31, has been linked with a move to Tottenham following Alex Morgan’s return to the United States, while the Spurs and Wales midfielder Anna Filbey, 21, is supposed to explore loan options.

New West Ham Manager Olli Harder is expected to bring in players, while Brighton Hope Powell said the club “seeks and will continue to watch” during the window, but “will only buy to add value and not to have the same value”.

England International Toni Duggan is expected to stay in Spain, but his Atletico Madrid contract expires this summer and a number of clubs are expected to generate interest.

Which offers have already been sorted?

One of Kirk’s priorities at Everton was to sign Scotland’s Claire Emslie to a permanent deal with Orlando Pride and the forward has now entered into an 18 month contract.

Aston Villa have signed Japan captain and 2011 World Cup winner Mana Iwabuchi of INAC Kobe Leonessa.

Chelsea has bring Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract.

And the American star Morgan returned to Pride after her short loan spell with Spurs, while striker Denise O’Sullivan returned to North Carolina Courage after a stint at Brighton.