Transfer Deadline Day Madness: Manchester United's Mary Earps Conundrum, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Man City Reinforcing Their Ranks

Manchester United's Dilemma: Selling or Retaining Mary Earps

Earps saga continues

If the club decides to sell their England No 1 goalkeeper to their Women's Super League rival Arsenal, as many reports suggest, it seems like the club isn't fully committed to pursuing the title.

Nevertheless, every player has a value, and it must have been a difficult decision to reject a world-record fee for a player who could potentially leave for free next year.

Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle also both left Man Utd at the end of their contracts after months of negotiations with the club.

Expect this saga to continue in January.

Big window for Man Utd

The potential late addition of Everton defender Gabby George shows how Manchester United are going big this window.

Everton are hesitant to sell the player, but United has reportedly met her release clause of approximately £150,000, according to We News.

Furthermore, with the acquisition of Geyse, who just claimed the Champions League title with Barcelona, for a club-record fee, and the inclusion of Hinata Miyazawa, the World Cup Golden Boot winner, Marc Skinner's squad now possesses thrilling attacking options.

But replacing Russo and Batlle is no easy achievement, especially as Man Utd prepare for their first Champions League challenge.

No one knows what to expect from this team this season.

Rich get richer

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are all stronger going into the new season.

Chelsea, the reigning champions, have made impressive signings to strengthen their squad. They have acquired Ashley Lawrence, a highly regarded full-back on the global stage, as well as Catarina Macario, a No 10 renowned for her Champions League triumphs. Furthermore, they have secured the services of Mia Fishel, a prodigious goal scorer from the United States, and added two international goalkeepers, Hannah Hampton and Nicky Evrard, to their roster. Although these newcomers will be replacing Magda Eriksson and Pernille Harder, both experienced players, Emma Hayes' team remains abundantly gifted.

Russo's arrival may be the highlight, but Arsenal's other three new players could also have a significant impact on the league. Amanda Ilestedt, the Swedish centre-back, surprised everyone by scoring four goals on the grandest stage this summer. Laia Codina, a World Cup champion, adds further strength to the team, and Cloe Lacasse displayed her attacking prowess while playing for Benfica.

While Manchester City had a comparatively quieter summer, their one signing is a game-changer. Jill Roord, for whom the club spent a British record-breaking £300,000, had an outstanding World Cup performance and already possesses a WSL winner's medal from her time at Arsenal.

After disappointing league seasons last year, could City or Arsenal be back on Chelsea's level?

Will Brighton cause a stir?

As Melissa Phillips prepares for her first full season as Brighton head coach, there have been significant changes at Brighton.

Heading the south coast club's strong recruitment drive are Vicky Losada, the winner of the Champions League, and Pauline Bremer, a former striker for Man City, Wolfsburg, and Lyon. As the club aims to break away from a period of mediocrity, experienced players like Danielle Carter, Megan Walsh, and Victoria Williams have departed in search of a fresh approach.

Best of the rest...

Aston Villa have made a remarkable acquisition by replacing Hampton with the incredible talent of Daphne van Domselaar, while Lucy Parker also aspires to secure her position in the England squad by joining the team in the Midlands.

Leicester's transfer activities have been impressive throughout the window, but securing Janina Leitzig on a permanent basis after her outstanding loan spell last season could easily be considered one of their most commendable deals.

Liverpool welcomes a fresh addition to their squad with the arrival of striker Sophie Roman Haug from Norway. With her presence, the two-time WSL champions aim to climb higher up the table.

West Ham, on the other hand, recognizes the importance of scoring goals this season and places expectations on new recruit Emma Harries.

Future of Football: £1m women's player in 2024

The talented England U23 international demonstrated significant potential during her time at Reading. It will be intriguing to witness how she adapts and settles into her new club.

The bumper January transfer window provided just a taste of what lies ahead for women's football, as the upcoming editions are expected to witness major financial movements. In fact, a prominent agent foresees an unprecedented £1m transfer taking place within the next 12 to 18 months.

In addition to the aforementioned, the women's game is expected to reach a billion mark in the near future, according to sports finance experts Deloitte. This growth is attributed to rising attendances, increased commercialization, and lucrative broadcast deals. As the women's transfer window nears its closure on Thursday, Vicki Hodges analyzes the future of women's football transfers and highlights the key factors that can contribute to and maintain financial growth in the sport.

WSL returns to Sky in October

The WSL kicks off on Sunday October 1st with an exciting lineup of six matches. Among them is the thrilling clash between reigning champions Chelsea and Tottenham, which will be broadcasted live on We at 5:30pm.

Several WSL teams have already commenced their pre-season training, and it is anticipated that England players will rejoin their respective squads in the following weeks. They will then regroup for the Nations League.

After the Lionesses' triumph in the European Championship last year, there was an unprecedented surge in ticket sales throughout the WSL. With the team's impressive performance in reaching the final of this summer's World Cup, it is anticipated that the league will attract even more attention.