Squad improvements and market values
The summer transfer window for the Women’s Super League concluded before the start of the 2026-27 season. While the financial figures involved are significantly smaller than those in the Premier League, data from Soccerdonna, a division of Transfermarkt, offers insights into squad enhancements. This platform provides estimated market values for players in euros, allowing for an assessment of how much clubs have strengthened their rosters.
Arsenal has notably improved its squad, with new acquisitions having a combined value of €3.9m. This figure slightly surpasses the €3.5m worth of talent brought in by London City Lionesses during the same period. The impact of these new players is highlighted by the fact that the entire squads of eight of the 14 teams in the 2026-27 WSL are valued at less than these amounts. For instance, London City Lionesses‘ new player, Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, is valued at €1.15m. This individual valuation exceeds the entire squad value of Charlton and is close to that of Crystal Palace.
West Ham could also claim significant squad additions, as the combined market value of their new players, at €1.02m, is greater than the €0.96m value of players remaining from the previous season. This suggests a strategic effort to bolster their team after finishing 10th and securing only three wins in their initial 19 matches.
Focus on squad stability
Beyond new signings, the departure of players who made substantial contributions in the previous season also impacts squad health. West Ham, for example, saw players depart who had contributed 6,322 minutes in the 2025-26 WSL season, representing 29% of their total playing time. A key departure for West Ham was goalkeeper Kinga Szemik, who started 19 of 22 games.
Only two other players who left current WSL clubs played more minutes last season: Martina Fernández, with 1,950 minutes for Everton, and Keira Flannery, with 1,891 minutes at Charlton. This suggests that clubs may be learning from past experiences regarding player retention.
In the summer 2025 window, Brighton lost players accounting for 9,584 minutes of playing time from their 2024-25 squad, subsequently finishing two places lower in the following season. Similarly, Liverpool experienced a significant loss of playing time, with 6,406 minutes departing, and began their campaign slowly. These instances underscore the importance of maintaining a settled squad.
The loss of output, measured by combined goals and assists, can also be a significant factor. Manchester City and Aston Villa both saw players depart who contributed at least 13 combined goals and assists last season, specifically Kerolin and Kirsty Hanson, respectively. While Manchester City, as champions, can more easily absorb such losses, the 17 goal contributions lost by Aston Villa represent 36.2% of their total from the previous season, marking the highest proportion among teams in the 2025-26 WSL.
Efficient transfer window operations
The WSL demonstrated a more organised approach to its transfer window compared to the Premier League. The WSL window closed before the new season commenced, unlike the Premier League, which saw approximately a sixth of its total signings completed on 1 September. Furthermore, just over a third of the money spent on transfer fees in the Premier League this summer occurred after the 2026-27 season had already started.
The WSL had completed 83% of its eventual total signings four weeks before its deadline day, a stark contrast to the Premier League, which only reached this proportion by the start of its deadline day. This efficiency in the WSL transfer market is notable, especially considering the rapid growth in financial activity within women’s football.
Recent data from Fifa indicates that global spending on transfer fees in women’s football has increased by 83.6% year-on-year. Additionally, spending on agent fees by WSL clubs rose by 75% in the year leading up to 3 February 2026. Despite these increasing financial sums, the transfer business in the WSL has maintained its efficiency and planning.
Source: theguardian.com