Miss the games already? Euro 2025 can’t come soon enough? Well here’s some good news to whet your appetite – the WSL Transfer Window opens TODAY!

First of all – if you haven’t seen our Albion Transfer Tracker – check it out HERE!

This article is just my own personal thoughts on what could be in store for the Albion this summer. Don’t look at it as a prediction or inside information, just a series of educated guesses and assumptions made by someone who follows the team closely.

Will there be a flurry of signings prior to the European Championships? It’s possible, particularly if a player isn’t taking part in the tournament, but we could see some transfers or bids delayed until afterwards so as not to distract the player from the immediate task in hand. Don’t expect too much too soon is all I would caution – judge the window in its entirety – not just on how it may begin.

Goalkeeping

This really isn’t an area of need, particularly if our current line-up is retained. Melina Loeck and Sophie Baggaley will tussle for the starting job with Hannah Poulter or Silvana Marshall-Miranda as the third option. Both Poulter and Marshall-Miranda have played international football in the England youth set-up and will want minutes in order to progress, so my assumption is that Poulter (the elder of the two) may go out on loan again with a view to her becoming the number one or two in 2026/27.

There are one or two keepers out there as free agents though who, if the Albion were being super bold, could leapfrog Melina and Baggers. Zecira Musovic (Chelsea) and Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC) spring to mind, along with perhaps Merle Frohms (Wolfsburg).

Defence

It’s no secret that, of the five permanent players leaving the club this offseason, three were defenders. Clearly reinforcements are required. One player already linked, and could well be a done deal by the time you read this, is Japanese international centre-back Moeka Minami who will arrive from Roma. This is certainly a statement of intent by the club as Minami was still under contract and reportedly had a release clause of at least €100,000. Funnily enough we had speculated loosely on the podcast that one or more Japanese players could join the squad after our very own Kiko Seike was pictured on Instagram with Minami, Fuka Nagano and Remina Chiba on holiday.

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Further additions at the heart of defence may depend on the status of Jorelyn Carabali as we believe (but can’t 100% confirm) that she may be out of contract imminently. If she stays then, to me, Minami and Under-19’s captain Jess Pegram should fill the spots vacated by Guro Bergsvand and Maria Thorisdottir. If she does leave, or another vacancy arises somehow, then there are one or two free agents that might be of interest, like Julie Thibaud or Sophie Howard. Equally I wouldn’t be surprised to see another player come in that the club has to pay a fee for if they believe it’s the right fit.

What about the loss of Poppy Pattinson though I hear you cry – what will the club do about the left-back position? I firmly believe we’ll see a strong defensive player added there, if Jorelyn stays then that might be the edge we need to snap up her Colombian international colleague Manuela Vanegas on a free transfer. Many Albion fans have also been impressed by Maz Pacheco over the past couple of years and she too is a free agent. Once again a transfer involving a fee isn’t beyond the realms of possibility either.

Midfield

Whilst we’ve only lost one midfielder specifically in Dejana Stefanovic, and actually we signed one in January, Nadine Noordam, the midfield does feel like it needs a shot in the arm. Maybe it only needs one more player to do it. If it were up to me, I’d be going all out to make it a trio of former Urawa Reds and try to sign Nagano (Liverpool) as a free agent. Her and Maisie Symonds (who I’d like to see installed as captain) as the base of a three has me so excited – I’m not how I’ll cope with the disappointment if it doesn’t come to fruition.

That being said there are some free agents out there on the market who would bolster the position group almost instantly – two archetypal ‘hate her on the opposition, but love her for us’ players, Ceri Holland (Liverpool) and Annabel Blanchard (Crystal Palace), the more inexperienced but ever improving, Emily Syme (Bristol City), and the often underrated Sam Tierney (Leicester).

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I’m not including right or left sided players in general as we often deploy them as wingers or wide-forwards (see next section), but I did want to also shout out Jutta Rantala who is coming off an injury blighted 2024/25 after an excellent debut season with Leicester. If she can remain fit she’s an asset to any WSL club.

Attack

In the same way the defence lost players this offseason, so did the attack. The need to strengthen at the position group has flown slightly more under the radar – likely because of the three players no longer in the squad – only Pauline Bremer was here on a permanent contract.

Truthfully, I’d be shocked if we went down the loan route again. Not only were the results mixed, it just doesn’t make sense to develop a player for another club. I have no doubt this is why youth team graduate Olivia Johnson has been signed to a professional contract and I expect to see far more of her this season.

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If I had to guess I’d say we’d be looking to add another wide-forward and another striker to the mix. Assessing the free agent market, one player who really interests me is Caroline Moller (Real Madrid). Think of what a Sophie Roman Haug does for Liverpool, a strong presence, good goalscorer, good in the air – Moller could do that for us, and we don’t currently have anyone like her in the squad. Two players who can play out wide or centrally would be Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid) and Amaiur Sarriegi (Real Sociedad) who are both talented players moving on from Spanish teams. Ajibade is a speedster with perhaps a stronger all-round game, but you can’t argue with Sarriegi’s 10 goals in the league last season.

More…

I do think the club is looking to improve significantly in the offseason – after all – standing still is going backwards at this stage of the WSL. Whilst I have spoken mainly about free agents or players with expiring contracts, I do think the club has money to spend – and should the deal for Minami go through – they’re already doing so. Seven players have left so those spots need to be filled, but how is a different matter. I fully expect at least Pegram and Johnson to be in the squad and gaining valuable experience this season although there is a possibility they could be loaned out. The question essentially is – can the current starting XI get us to where we want to go? If so, we can add strength in depth, perhaps take a calculated risk on our own youngsters or bring in talent to develop further. If not, now is the time to add real quality by going out and getting three or four marquee signings that will take the club to the next level. Whatever happens I think we’re in for an exciting window!