In the world of women's football, the transfer market has seen some significant developments. While the figures may not match those of the men's game, there have been records broken and significant investments made in recent years. Last summer, several clubs made notable signings, breaking transfer records and setting new benchmarks for the women's game.
1. Keira Walsh's move from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022 for £350,000 set a global transfer record. In contrast, Neymar's transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 amounted to a staggering £198 million.
2. Last summer, Manchester United and Arsenal both broke their transfer records to strengthen their squads. Geyse joined Manchester United, while Kyra Cooney-Cross signed for Arsenal.
3. The English Women's Super League (WSL) also witnessed a record-breaking transfer as Manchester City spent approximately £300,000 to acquire Jill Roord from Wolfsburg.
While many women's football deals are free transfers, the summer of 2023 saw over £3 million being spent, more than doubling the previous record. This raises the question of whether this trend will continue in the January transfer window.
Let's now take a closer look at some of the major confirmed transfers in women's football across Europe and evaluate them:
1. Spurs: Ale (Grade: C) Ale was a promising prospect when Spurs signed her from Aston Villa. However, she has struggled for form and playing time, largely due to the club's complicated recruitment process. A move to Leicester City under manager Willie Kirk could provide Ale with the opportunity to reignite her career.
2. Manchester City: Blakstad (Grade: C-) Blakstad's time at Manchester City did not work out as expected. Often played out of position, she struggled to secure a spot in the team. Her move to Hammarby in Sweden provides her with a fresh start and an opportunity to make an impact.
3. Inter: Sønstevold (Grade: C) Sønstevold was a crucial part of Inter's squad for the past two and a half seasons. Losing her to Roma, who are leading the table in Italy, is a blow to Inter. However, Sønstevold's versatility will offer new options for Roma coach Alessandro Spugna and strengthen their defense.
4. Juventus: Sembrant (Grade: B) Sembrant's departure from Juventus may have surprised many, considering her recent contract extension. However, her limited playing time led her to seek a new challenge. Bayern Munich provides her with the opportunity to contribute and add experience to their backline.
5. PSG: Calligaris (Grade: B-) Calligaris, who was signed by PSG in the summer from Levante, has struggled for playing time due to the emergence of Jade Le Guilly. Her loan move to Turin seems like a sensible decision, with PSG potentially having bigger plans for her beyond this season.
These are just a selection of the major transfers that took place in the women's game last summer. Each move has its own implications for the players, their former clubs, and the teams they are joining. The January transfer window is expected to provide further excitement and potential record-breaking deals, as clubs continue to invest in the growth and development of women's football.
