Well here we are, the Euros are over (come on England!), the Women’s African Cup of Nations (yes Maka!) has concluded, and the Copa America Femenina has finished (proud of you Jore!). As predicted, the Albion haven’t been visibly active in the transfer market during these tournaments, but unfortunately many of their WSL opponents have.
From Arsenal signing the likes of Olivia Smith, Chloe Kelly and Taylor Hinds, right the way down to the newly promoted London City Lionesses capturing Nikita Parris from us – as well as multiple other international talents – everyone has been at it. Even Leicester, though not flush with cash, locked down many of their out of contract players on brand new deals.
Brighton haven’t simply sat still though, adding Moeka Minami from Roma in the early days of the window, followed in short order by the addition of top free agents Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC) and Manuela Vanegas (Real Sociedad). Since then though it’s been very quiet, very quiet indeed. In fact it will be a month tomorrow (Monday) since we last signed a player. Almost every viable free agent has disappeared off the board, so barring one or two holdouts, we’ll be paying other clubs for the privilege – not ideal when you need upwards of five or six.
Fear not though, through the art of intelligent assumption (AKA complete guesswork), I will attempt to breathe some life into the Albion rumour-mill by wildly speculating about 20 players who could still become a Seagull this season. We have faith…
Name – Current/Former Team – Status – Position – Age
Beth Mead – Arsenal – Under Contract – RM/RW/FW – 30
With Arsenal signing Kelly permanently, adding Smith, and welcoming Michelle Agyemang back, there must be a couple of odd-people out in the Arsenal camp. We have been strongly linked with a loan for Rosa Kafaji, but she didn’t factor in too much for the Gunners last season anyway. Is there a way that regular first-team football prior to the World Cup in 2027 could attract one of the top Lionesses this summer?
Victoria Pelova – Arsenal – Unknown – CM/RM – 26
Along the same lines as Mead, could the Dutch international be prised away from North London? She has played with Marisa Olislagers and Nadine Noordam in the past, as well as being from the same city as Nadine – Delft.
Rasheedat Ajibade – Atletico Madrid – Out of Contract – LW/ST – 25
One of the few free agents not to have signed elsewhere at time of writing, could the speedster and WAFCON Player of the Tournament be on her way to the South Coast to join fellow Nigerian Nnadozie? We need forwards and we lack pace up top – seems logical – maybe too logical!
Clara Mateo – Paris FC – Under Conract – ST/RW – 27
Speaking of teammates of Nnadozie, how about one from Paris FC? With Nikita gone we lack a focal point forward in the squad, which has me believing we’ll make a play for one of the top strikers not already at one of the elite clubs. Mateo notched 18 goals and provided 7 assists last season in the French League and surely is destined for a move – could it be to the Albion?
Fridolina Rolfo – Barcelona – Released – LB/LM/LW – 31
Deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona this season due to age and wage limitations, Fridolina Rolfo undoubtedly has more to give. Apparently Malmo were interested in bringing her home to Sweden, but according to press reports in her native country she wants to go to a club in Europe’s top leagues – could it be Brighton?
Annabel Blanchard – Crystal Palace – Out of Contract – CM – 24
Perhaps not a ‘star’ name per se, but one that should be welcomed with open arms, despite her having played for Crystal Palace last season. A midfielder with an intense workrate and eye for the occasional goal, the opportunity to play for a better team could be an attractive one.
Jutta Rantala – Leicester City – Unknown – LM/CM/CAM – 25
Leicester City dropped their retained list eventually, confirming a slew of new contracts. One name that was missing though – Jutta Rantala – who lit up the Women’s Super League in 2023/24 before losing almost all of last season to injury. It’s possible she had her deal extended at an earlier stage, but the uncertainty should prove promising for any clubs looking to make a move.
Geraldine Reuteler – Frankfurt – Under Contract – CM/CAM – 26
Stick with me here. After a fantastic Euros and long being one of the most consistent midfielders in the Frauen-Bundesliga, many have tipped her to make the move to a bigger club. Now that could be a Manchester City, a Bayern Munich, a Lyon or anywhere else, but what if…
Elisa Senß – Frankfurt – Under Contract – CM/CDM – 27
Speaking of dogged midfielders in the Frauen-Bundesliga and current Frankfurt players – Elisa Senß would also be a fantastic addition. She doesn’t offer as much going forward as Reuteler, but as the lynchpin of the German midfield at the Euros, you could see her obvious talent in a Kiera Walsh-type role.
Selina Çerçi – Hoffenheim – Under Contract – ST/FW – 25
Ok, just one last German international, and this time we head to Hoffenheim for prolific striker Selina Çerçi. She could make a move to a bigger club, particularly after finishing second in the goalscoring charts last term with 16.
Signe Gaupset – Brann – Under Contract – CM/CAM – 20
I first talked about Gaupset two years ago on this website as a potential star of the game. She is easily the top talent in the Norwegian Toppserien, and her performances in the Euros showed exactly why she needs to move elsewhere in order to continue her journey to the top. Could Brighton be a stepping stone for her – maybe not if our ambitions are achieved – but either way adding a young player with her ability would be a no-brainer.
Ashleigh Plumptre – Al Ittihad – Under Contract – CB – 27
Born in Leicester, but representing Nigeria at international level, Ashleigh Plumptre has gone from strength to strength since leaving the WSL in 2023 for the Saudi League. An accomplished centre back, at 27 years old, maybe it’s time to head back to England and have another crack at the elite level of club football.
Clara Luvanga – Al Nassr – Under Contract – ST – 20
One of the top attacking prospects in African football and compatriot of Aisha Masaka for Tanzania, Clara Luvanga has the world at her feet. Also playing in Saudi, is a move to a club that will raise her profile and give her the chance to compete on the cards sooner rather than later?
Cathinka Tandberg – Hammarby – Under Contract – ST – 22
Hammarby are not blessed with a multitude of attackers which is why I think it could be Cathinka Tandberg or our next entry who could be allowed to leave rather than both. Make no mistake, Ellen Wangerheim is the attention-grabber right now, with more goals this season and potential interest from Chelsea. Tandberg, more of a traditional No.9 was top scorer in the Swedish league in 2023 and awarded ‘Best Striker’ and ‘Goal of the Season’ in 2024.
Ellen Wangerheim – Hammarby – Under Contract – CF/ST – 20
A striker who can also play in the No.10 role, Wangerheim has played her way into the Swedish national squad this season and even appeared at the Euros off the bench. She still has a ways to go in order to dominate at the position, but all the signs are there.
Felicia Schroder – BK Hacken – Under Contract – ST – 18
Absolutely tearing up the Damallsvenskan this season, Felicia Schroder is surely the next big Swedish prospect, ironic as she stands just 5’3″. She currently has 16 goals and 5 assists in just 12 games this season and is just 18 years of age. The questions are as simple as: would she be willing to sign for Brighton and how much would she cost?
Amanda Gutierres – Palmeiras – Under Contract – ST – 24
Top scorer in the Brazilian league this season, you can’t help but wonder after watching the Copa America Femenina if some of South America’s players wouldn’t prefer to be playing in leagues that are better funded and have a higher profile. Amanda Gutierres is absolutely ready to make that step up for sure, however, the propensity of top Brazilian players to prefer the NWSL over the WSL could be a challenge.
Manuela Giugliano – Roma – Under Contract – CM/CAM – 27
Linked with a move abroad earlier in the window, Roma have been signing players right, left and centre since, so it would be logical to think that Manuela Giugliano could be on her way out. Reliable in the Serie A Women for both goals and assists, could she finally make the move to a stronger league?
Guro Reiten – Chelsea – Under Contract – LM/LW – 31
It has been speculated in the press that Guro could be reaching the end of her Chelsea tenure as they look for players who can get up and down the flanks with more regularity. Much like Fran Kirby, her footballing IQ will mean she remains a top player for several years though, and to any team outside the ‘Top 4’ it would be crazy not to bring her aboard if she becomes available.
Georgia Stanway – Bayern Munich – Under Contract – CM – 26
Now admittedly this is a very, very (very) long shot, but we’ve seen with the likes of Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze that some of the Lionesses don’t want to play abroad forever. I know a lot of people are hoping for a real statement signing, and what a warning shot it would be to the ‘Top 4’ it would be if we could bring one of England’s starting XI straight into the Albion team. Do I think it will happen – no, but you have to end with a bang surely!
So there we have it, 20 players who I’d love to see join the club, though not all at the same time of course. Some are more realistic than others, but the talent is out there – and Brighton need players – so it stands to the reason we may be after one or two from this list.
In the meantime, trust the process, keep the chin up, and let’s see what next week brings eh?
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