All summer long, GOAL handed out grades for the biggest transfers from around the women's game…
This summer's women's transfer window was a truly record-breaking one, with clubs spending more money than ever before over the last few months. That was headlined by some humungous deals, particularly that which saw Arsenal make Olivia Smith the sport's first million pound player and the Orlando Pride's move for Lizbeth Ovalle which surpassed even that. Then, a crazy deadline day saw both Chelsea and London City Lionesses fork out even bigger fees, to sign Alyssa Thompson and Grace Geyoro respectively.
But the big moves were not just the ones that involved a lot of money. A stunning swap deal between Manchester City and Manchester United on the Women's Super League's deadline day, for example, was one of the most eye-catching of the summer, as were many of the free transfers that took place all across the globe after the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign.
GOAL has been here throughout the summer to ensure you know who did the best out of every massive deal as we graded each done deal as it happened, letting you track the big winners – and losers – of transfer season.
Chris Lee/Chelsea FCSeptember 5: Alyssa Thompson (Angel City to Chelsea)
For Angel City: It’s not been an easy season so far for Angel City, who find themselves on the outside looking in at the NWSL play-off spots with just a handful of games remaining. Their hopes of breaking into the top eight have been further complicated now by the departure of Thompson, who has been their best player all year. If the club had been able to match the rise of their electric 20-year-old, who they drafted first overall in 2023, then their chances of keeping hold of her on a long-term basis would’ve surely been greater. However, an inability to kick on since entering the NWSL back amid much off-field hype in 2022 means Thompson has outgrown the environment and is ready for a bigger challenge. Grade: F
For Chelsea: In isolation, this is a fantastic signing. Thompson is one of the best young players in the world and the manner in which she grew to become Angel City’s go-to match-winner is great evidence of how well she has developed since entering the NWSL two years ago. If she can continue down that path at Chelsea, where she’ll be exposed to different styles and thus round her game out further, she can be a world-beater. However, it’s hard not to feel like Chelsea needed a more established, proven forward, rather than someone who can become that in time. The Blues are desperately chasing a first Champions League title and they need more elite match-winners in order to get over the line. Again, Thompson can become that, but it would be a lot to expect her to fill that sort of role straight away in her first big move, aged 20. She's a great addition but not exactly what Chelsea needed to round out their window. Grade: B-
For Thompson: There's no doubt that Thompson has earned herself this sort of transfer with the form she has shown for Angel City. Her performances for the U.S. women's national team have only further highlighted what a talent she is, too. There is growing concern about how prolific Chelsea are becoming at snapping up top young players as of late, with it starting to move from a healthy number to more of a stockpiling one, but the seven-figure fee paid for Thompson shows she is in a different category in that sense and should see plenty of game time. It's important that she does, too, in order to allow her development to continue in this promising manner. The 20-year-old is about to take on a new experience, come up against different types of opponent and be presented with different challenges. As long as she gets good game time – and Sonia Bompastor is a great manager for young talent – this can be a fantastic move for her. Grade: A
AdvertisementGetty ImagesSeptember 5: Grace Geyoro (PSG to London City Lionesses)
For PSG: This is a massive blow for PSG – but it has been coming. It's only two years ago that Geyoro was incredibly close to leaving the club, with Chelsea heavily linked to the midfielder. Fortunately for PSG, they survived that scare and tied their captain down to a new deal until 2028. However, the Parisians just have not kicked on in the time since, falling well short of challenging Lyon for domestic titles while failing to make a mark in the Champions League. Geyoro is a world-class player and it's understandable for her to have grown frustrated with the situation. In a summer that has also seen Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Korbin Albert depart to strengthen bitter rivals Lyon, for OL owner Michele Kang to now bolster another of her clubs with Geyoro is a bitter, bitter blow. It should serve as a wake-up call for a women's team that continues to underperform. Grade: F
For London City Lionesses: This is an incredible signing. There are a lot of questions about just how London City will gel, having signed almost an entirely new squad over the summer, but there is no question that they have recruited insanely well. Kang has been putting so many clubs to shame with her remarkable investment in the newly-promoted side and they will have a genuinely world-class midfielder at the heart of their bid to be seriously competitive on their WSL debut. Grade: A+
For Geyoro: It's no great surprise to see Geyoro finally leave PSG given all the shortcomings outlined above. It is a shock, however, to see her join London City. Now, this is not like any newly-promoted team. The Lionesses are backed by Kang's incredible ambition and finances, making them very different. That said, it will be tough to immediately challenge for trophies and European football. It must be a relief for Geyoro, though, to be at a club with such incredible aims, having spent so long at one that continues to stand still. It might not seem like an immediate upgrade for her but, over time, it looks likely to be. Grade: B
Getty/GOALSeptember 4: Grace Clinton (Man Utd to Man City), Jess Park (Man City to Man Utd)
For City: Though the news of this deal was a shock at first, it does make some sense on City's end. Their squad lacks natural, proven midfielders and swapping Park – who is not always best-suited to that position against some opponents – for Clinton addresses that without leaving them light in attack, as they have plenty of options in that area. Grade: B
For United: Marc Skinner has made no secret of his desire to add more forwards in this transfer window and this does that, with Park offering something totally different to the rest of the attackers United have. She has big experience, her best years ahead of her and can also play in midfield if necessary, ensuring there remains cover for Ella Toone. To lose Clinton at the same time, though, makes this move tough to grade well as it means United still lack the necessary depth to compete in four competitions. Grade: D
For Park: It's hard to grade this move for either player. While Park is joining a side that had a much better season than City last year, and thus has Champions League football on the calendar, it doesn't feel like a step-up. After all, both Manchester clubs have been on a similar level over the last few years, unable to be a constant on the continent or win many domestic honours. It's also a switch that seems likely to see her play out wide more, rather than through the middle, given Toone's presence in the No.10 role and United's desire to bring in more forwards. Right now, it's unclear if that will be better for her or not. Grade: C
For Clinton: Similarly, this is not a massive step up for Clinton, though her comments about not being on the same page as United suggest it's a little more a positive for her to have swapped clubs. There were a lot of questions last season about how Skinner would accommodate both Toone and Clinton and it sometimes resulted in one being benched or playing out wide. City, however, clearly have a particular vision in mind for how the latter fits into their XI, or they would not have conducted this deal. That is another positive for Clinton, though she will still likely have to compete with Sydney Lohmann, one of City's biggest summer signings, for a place in the line-up. Grade: C+
Getty ImagesSeptember 4: Lia Walti (Arsenal to Juventus)
For Arsenal: Renee Slegers' squad was looking quite well-stocked going into the new season, but this move suddenly leaves them much lighter in midfield. There are ways they can adjust to cope with this departure from a numbers perspective, with the likes of Frida Maanum and Victoria Pelova able to play deeper where necessary, but an injury here or there in what is expected to be another demanding season across four fronts could leave them with a real issue. That's before getting to the loss of Walti as a player and person. The Switzerland star, who was one of Arsenal's captains, might not have started lots last season but she was often a game-changing introduction as a substitute if not excelling as a starter, bringing her experience and composure on the ball to big moments. This is a blow both on and off the pitch for the European champions. Grade: D
For Juventus: Arsenal's loss is Juventus' gain, with the Italian champions set to add an extremely intelligent and experienced midfielder to their starting XI. No one in Juve's squad in that area of the park is close to Walti in terms of the level and leadership she can bring to the table, meaning this represents a serious upgrade in a vital position while also providing the younger, more inexperienced midfielders with someone to learn from. It's hard to pick many faults in this move from a Juventus perspective. Grade: A
For Walti: It makes sense that Walti would want to leave Arsenal at this point. She departs on an incredible high, having helped the Gunners to win the Champions League back in May, and now has the opportunity to be a regular starter and a key figure again at a big club, in Juventus. She hasn't been that in north London as of late and the feeling that this is a big season for Kyra Cooney-Cross, the 23-year-old who is nine years Walti's junior, makes it difficult to see that changing. It's the right time for her, even if it's a blow to Arsenal. Grade: A
