Kadidiatou Diani signing adds to feeling that London City Lionesses can be genuine WSL title contenders: GOAL grades the biggest deals of the 2026 women's summer transfer window

For Lyon: The arrival of Johanna Rytting Kaneyrd and subsequent departure of Diani, combined with reports in Le Progres that the former is to be used as a wing-back by OL, is all quite interesting. On the face of it, to lose Diani, one of the best wingers on the planet, is a real blow for Lyon, and the negative impact of her injury-enforced absence in the Champions League final is a great example why. But if head coach Jonatan Giraldez is changing the shape of the team in a way that makes it tricky to find a natural role for Diani, maybe that explains her departure. Regardless, it's hard to find positives in losing a player of her quality, other than the reported £500,000 ($670,000) fee recouped, even if Lyon still have a lot of talent at their disposal. Grade: D

For London City: After adding Alexia Putellas and Mapi Leon, Diani's arrival represents the third time in this transfer window that London City have recruited a genuinely world-class player. It's yet another signing that takes the club a step further towards being a genuine threat for silverware in the upcoming season, just a year on from promotion to the WSL. It is not a given that head coach Eder Maestre creates cohesion in the team following such a busy window, but it is hard not to believe the hype could be real about London City this year. Diani reinforces that idea, with her sure to improve an attack that scored only 28 goals in 22 league games last term. Grade: A

For Diani: That Diani departs Lyon having failed to win a Champions League title is a shame. She has been consistently outstanding, even before her move to OL from PSG, and won plenty of trophies, but that the European title eluded her will be frustrating. Her chances of lifting that title at London City are limited, not least because it's unclear if both they and OL could compete in the competition at the same time, as both are owned by Michele Kang. However, it is a new challenge, in a new league and a new country for the first time in Diani's career. She's joining an exciting project with great potential, to play with some elite new team-mates, and secures a big contract - likely the last major one of her career - aged 31. Grade: B-

For RB Leipzig: It will be disappointing for Leipzig that they only got one season out of Baum before a top club came calling, with the rest of her development into a potentially top player to occur elsewhere. But it’s hard for Leipzig to grumble at the significant compensation they will receive, reported to be a club-record fee. That can be reinvested into the squad in a way that should help them kick on in the long-term. Grade: B

For Arsenal: The Gunners needed to strengthen out wide after Beth Mead’s departure and they’ve chosen to do so with a younger, rawer talent. That might concern some as Arsenal don’t have a great record in recent years when it comes to developing young players signed from elsewhere. Smilla Holmberg’s early days at the club may be evidence that things are changing in that regard though, with Olivia Smith only a year removed from arriving for a bumper fee and having also done well. Renee Slegers’ tendency to rotate and regularly sub her wingers should allow Baum to settle, too. All things considered, it’s not a signing that guarantees to be a success, even if the 19-year-old’s talent is obvious. It’s an exciting one, however, that does feel more likely to go well than not, despite some of the concerns. Grade: B

For Baum: Though very highly-rated, Baum has very limited experience at the highest level, with just one season in the Bundesliga under her belt. For her to now get a move to one of Europe’s top clubs, and one where she should get regular exposure to minutes, feels like a great step in her career. Again, those reservations are there about how Arsenal have failed to develop foreign prospects in the past, but the teenager’s game time should come in a way that helps her progress well. Grade: B

For Man City: As evidenced by City offering Keating a new deal, this is a blow for the new WSL champions. That said, it cannot be unexpected. Keating has fallen out of England squads due to her lack of game time in Manchester in recent times and, with the 2027 Women's World Cup looming, it was always likely that she would look to leave the club this summer. Now, City need to figure out how best to replace someone who brought a rare level of quality as essentially as back-up goalkeeper. That she leaves on a free transfer, having spent 11 years developing into an eventual England international at City, is also a real negative. Grade: D

For Liverpool: This is a fantastic signing that fills a position of need for the Reds, one made better by the fact it is on a free. Liverpool were in the market for a goalkeeper after failing to make Jennifer Falk's loan move a permanent one, and in Keating they have someone that head coach Gareth Taylor knows well, having overseen her breakthrough at City, as well as someone who has incredible quality, the promise to get better and a skillset that matches the style of play that Taylor is implementing. She is still young and relatively inexperienced, so mistakes will come, but regular game time will allow Keating to iron those out and fulfil her exciting potential. Grade: A

For Keating: After turning 22 last month and falling out of England squads in recent times, this summer felt like the right time for Keating to leave City for a first-choice role. Liverpool won't be able to deliver her the trophy chances she had at City, but it is game time that she needs, not only because of next year's World Cup, but also for her own development as a player. Keating should get that in spades on Merseyside, working with a coach who knows her well and plays a style that suits her. It's a brilliant move. Grade: A-

For Barcelona: Though not the biggest name leaving Barca this summer, Leon’s exit will really hurt. One of the best centre-backs in the world, if not the best, she has been a vital cog in the club’s rise to the top of the game and will be extremely difficult to replace, even if the Catalans don’t have to operate within the same financial constraints as last summer. How they go about doing that will impact the grade of this in the end, and Barca should be given the benefit of the doubt until that happens. There are some promising young players coming through La Masia who could step up, but not into the sort of headline role that Leon held, not yet. Grade: D

For London City Lionesses: This is the sort of move that represents a step forward for London City compared to previous transfer windows. While some of the experienced stars they have picked up in recent times have made a real impact, with Kosovare Asllani prime among them, most have arrived past the peak of their powers. Leon, meanwhile, joins the club while still at the very top of the women’s game and will seriously upgrade the team. She’s also a good fit for the philosophy of this ambitious club given her excellence in possession. Grade: A

For Leon: Any move away from Barcelona, the European champions, is going to be a downgrade for a player. Leon isn’t going to rack up silverware in England and she is also joining a club likely to be prohibited from competing in the Champions League if they were to get there, given owner Michele Kang also owns Lyon, the team Barca beat in the final in May. But this is an opportunity for the 31-year-old to play in a new league for the first time in her career and take on a different challenge, while still playing at a good level, and on a less demanding schedule, ahead of next summer’s World Cup. She’ll also be picking up a nice wage in what is likely her final big contract. Grade: B

For Chelsea: Charles is a solid left-back option but she is not a natural in the role. Starting out as a forward, it’s a position she has adapted to in recent years to strong success, but with the opportunity arising for the Blues to bring in Katie McCabe, as they did at the start of June, it’s not a surprise they took it. The Ireland captain is one of the best left-backs there is and her arrival allows other players to move into their more natural roles, like Sandy Baltimore and Veerle Buurman. To let go of Charles after making that signing does remove depth but there are players that can fill in there if necessary, while the impressive £500,000 ($670,000) fee the club has reportedly got for the England international - in the final year of her contract - is great business. Grade: A

For Man City: A left-back was a priority in this window for Man City, who let Leila Ouahabi leave on a free and largely used Alex Greenwood ahead of her in the role anyway. Adding another option would allow Greenwood to move back into her preferred central position and while Charles is not at the same level as a left-back as McCabe, who City were heavily linked with before Chelsea acted, she is a very solid option who presents an upgrade on City’s current situation. Grade: B

For Charles: With McCabe signing for Chelsea, a move away from the club was always going to be most beneficial for Charles if she wanted to get regular minutes. That’s important for her England situation, too, with her losing her grip on the starting left-back spot with the Lionesses in recent months. As it stands, she’ll likely be first-choice at Man City, for a team that just won the WSL and FA Cup, and will be a contender for the major honours again next year, while also returning to the Champions League. Grade: A

For Barcelona: This will perhaps be the most frustrating of the departures for Barcelona this summer. That's because Batlle is still only 27 years old and is one of the best full-backs in the world, whereas Putellas and Leon are in their 30s while the wage demands for Paralluelo were out of reach. Barca would’ve wanted to keep hold of Batlle, though, for many seasons to come and they would’ve fancied their chances of doing so, given this is her childhood club. Instead, she is heading back to England on a free transfer. It’s a real blow. Grade: F

For Arsenal: After the departure of Katie McCabe, there was an opening at left-back and Arsenal have chosen to fill it with a world-class player. Batlle is naturally a right-back but she has plenty of experience on the opposite flank, where she can operate very effectively as an inverted full-back that causes new problems for opponents. A first-choice full-back tandem of Emily Fox and Batlle is arguably as good as any in the women's game and it is by adding that quality on top of the existing depth, of Taylor Hinds and Smilla Holmberg, that can take Arsenal to that next level, as they pursue a first WSL title since 2019. Grade: A

For Batlle: While this move might be a surprise to many given Barca’s stature in the game and the fact it is Batlle’s childhood club, the full-back did win everything possible upon her return to Catalunya and now comes back to England to take on a new challenge, with her not winning any silverware during her three years with Manchester United. There are plenty of new goals to be ticked off at Arsenal and her chances of further Champions League glory remain high, with the Gunners winning that title just last year, though not as great as they were at Barca. Grade: B

For Barcelona: It’s obviously a massive blow for Barca to lose someone with Putellas’ world-class quality, remarkable leadership and important influence on the squad. But there was seemingly nothing the Blaugrana could do about it. After 14 years with the club, in which she lifted every possible trophy, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner felt it was the right time to move on, to pursue a new challenge. That she doesn’t go to a big European rival of Barca’s is a positive and the club is well set up, in terms of quality in the squad and excitement within the academy, to move forward positively, even if it’s a big blow that does hurt. Grade: C

For London City: This is a remarkable coup. Only one year into life in the Women’s Super League, a player of Putellas’ calibre can help London City push on after a solid sixth-placed finish this past season. She is one of the best players on the planet and elevates this team by a significant degree all on her own. It’s also potentially a good move in terms of trying to get more out of Grace Geyoro, who had a disappointing debut season with the club after a world-record move. Adding Putellas into the midfield alongside her should help bring more out of the very talented France star. Grade: A+

For Putellas: It’s rare that a top player gets to close an important chapter of their career on a high, but Putellas was able to do that this year by bidding farewell to Barca after delivering a wonderful quadruple. Now, she heads to England to experience a new league and a new challenge. It’s not going to deliver trophies quite like her time in Catalunya, given the stage London City are at in their project. However, it looks primed to be an excellent move when it comes to her international career, with Putellas able to play in perhaps the best league in the world while racking up fewer minutes, owing to the club’s lack of European football. It means when the World Cup comes around next summer, she could be well-placed to deliver her best in a Spain shirt. There’s also the added bonus of what is sure to be a bumper pay day at a side owned by billionaire Michele Kang. Grade: B

For Eintracht Frankfurt: Would it have been more beneficial for Eintracht to let Reuteler go last summer, when her value was high after a breakout European Championships and Arsenal were calling to enquire about the midfielder? In a monetary sense, yes. The 27-year-old was into the final year of her contract and it was always going to be tough to tie her down to a new one when big clubs were expressing interest in her. However, keeping hold of Reuteler helped Eintracht enjoy another strong season in which they finished third in the Bundesliga to secure a Champions League qualifying spot, which is likely more important in the end, even if the Switzerland international won’t be easy to replace. Grade: B

For Arsenal: There is a world in which Arsenal are beaten to the signing of Reuteler, having been unable to get a deal done last summer. Fortunately, the Gunners don’t live in that world, with the midfielder on her way to north London a year later on a free transfer. The club needs more depth and variety in midfield, and Reuteler adds exactly that, with her ability to play a number of different roles only adding to the options head coach Renee Slegers has at her disposal. It’s not as eye-catching as some of Arsenal’s other summer signings, but it’s a great addition that strengthens the squad. Grade: B

For Reuteler: This is an exciting step in Reuteler’s career. She has been a key player for a very good Eintracht side for several years now, one that has often been the best of the rest in the Bundesliga, behind Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg, and she showed real quality and character to step up for Switzerland in a home Euros last summer. A move to one of Europe’s elite clubs is one Reuteler has earned and it can be a successful one for her, if she takes her opportunities as they come in a strong squad that will be rotated across competitions. Grade: B

For Hoffenheim: No one has scored more goals in the Frauen-Bundesliga in the past two seasons than Cerci, who was a brilliant signing for Hoffenheim after leaving Koln in 2024. But now she leaves on a free transfer after the expiry of her contract. For Hoffenheim to get nothing for her, and especially as she departs for a top side, is disappointing. Replacing her goals, which have fired the club to back-to-back top-half finishes in the Bundesliga, won’t be easy either. The club is backing its developmental capabilities in that realm again, adding two young forwards from Barcelona’s academy thus far. Grade: D

For Arsenal: Centre-forward won’t have been an urgent priority for the Gunners this summer, but bringing in Cerci, to join a striker room already populated by Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius, does give head coach Renee Slegers more flexibility in her attack. It means that when Russo drops into that No.10 role, as she did often last year, there is some variety in whether it is Cerci or Blackstenius playing ahead of her. The Germany international can also play wide if needed, but she is arguably not as effective there given it limits how often she is in the box, waiting to get on the end of scoring chances. Still, that’s also an option as Arsenal look to get more unpredictable in attack, having been quite the opposite at times last year. Grade: B+

For Cerci: One of the biggest questions about this move is 'how much is Cerci going to play?' She has broken into the Germany team on a regular basis because of her consistent game time and, in turn, goal-scoring. If that becomes more limited at Arsenal, what does that mean on an international front, just a year before the World Cup? Given the many games the Gunners will have, she should still get her chances, and even more so given how active Slegers is with her subs. But with several clubs reported to be interested in her, there were other opportunities, with more prominent roles and still the chance to win trophies, that Cerci could have chosen. Grade: B-

For Chelsea: Rytting Kaneryd was an excellent servant for Chelsea after her arrival in 2022, with her work rate never in question. However, the Sweden international can be inconsistent, with a return of 11 goals and 15 assists from 79 league appearances evidence of as much. A club like Chelsea wants more production than that from its wingers and so for them to get a fee for 29-year-old Rytting Kaneryd here, with a view to bringing in a more prolific wide player, is not bad business. That said, it does depend on how the Blues go about replacing her, with her work ethic, good dressing room character and ability to put teams under real pressure with her pace all traits that shouldn't be overlooked. Fail to do so adequately, and the grade drops. Grade: B

For Lyon: It's hard to know what to make of this signing. Le Progres reports that it will lead to a change in position for Rytting Kaneryd, who will be deployed as a wing-back rather than as a winger. That suggests a change in shape for Lyon, who mainly played with a back four last year. Adding to the intrigue is the departure of Kadidiatou Diani, which was announced a few days later. Was that also related to the change in shape? Only time will tell. If Rytting Kaneryd is coming in as a wing-back, she has plenty of traits to suit the role, even if she's only played it occasionally throughout her career. With a high work rate, great speed and attacking threat, she ticks a lot of boxes. Grade: C

For Rytting Kaneryd: After initially making a great impact at Chelsea, hitting double figures for goals and assists in her first full season in 2023-24, it did feel like Rytting Kaneryd's progress had stalled a little in recent times. A new chapter, then, could be what she needs to reignite the fire. How she fares as a wing-back on a consistent basis, if indeed that is how the move pans out, may impact that. Still, the chance to play for a club like Lyon, the eight-time European champions who have played in two of the last three Champions League finals, is a great opportunity. Grade: B

For North Carolina Courage: This is a real blow. Only Barbra Banda has been directly involved in more goals in the NWSL this season than Matsukubo, whose five goals and four assists in nine games has been key in keeping North Carolina in the play-off places. The club did just sign England starlet Erica Parkinson, a creative midfielder who can help fill the void left by the Japan international, but she is still only 18 years old and with limited experience. How the Courage react to this departure will be interesting, though at least they did get a fee for Matsukubo, ahead of her potentially becoming a free agent later this year. Grade: D

For Chelsea: After enduring their lowest-scoring WSL season in seven years last term, adding to the forward line has been a major priority for Chelsea this summer, not least with Sam Kerr and Catarina Macario also leaving. Matsukubo can play as a central striker but, at 5'1", she is unlikely to be the answer to that key question, even if she will offer an option there when suitable. Instead, the 21-year-old will probably slot into a midfield role and be tasked with creating for others, with her clever footwork and eye for a pass sure to come in handy when Chelsea face low blocks, as they so often do. That the Blues have had one of the best young players in the world sign a five-year deal is another major plus. Grade: A

For Matsukubo: After taking the NWSL by storm in 2025, this is a huge move that Matsukubo has certainly earned. It'll be a big step up, playing for a club with the pressure and expectation of Chelsea, but she should be well-suited to what Sonia Bompastor wants to do while also fitting nicely into the WSL and the Champions League. The Blues do still need more attacking recruits, including a striker, for Matsukubo's effectiveness to be maximised. Still, the 21-year-old should work very nicely with those already at the club, particularly Lauren James, with the way both players float around and pick up pockets of space. Grade: B+

For Bayern Munich: To lose Stanway is undoubtedly a blow for Bayern Munich. The England international has been fantastic for the club over the last four years and will be difficult to replace. However, Bayern have known about her departure for a while now, with it announced back in January, so they have had plenty of time to ponder the moves they can make in the transfer window to replenish a midfield that is already pretty well-stocked. It’s a blow, but not a catastrophic one. Grade: D

For Arsenal: The Gunners have been too dependent on Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey in the deeper midfield roles and the arrival of Stanway helps to address that issue. With Kyra Cooney-Cross also at the club, and Geraldine Reuteler expected to join soon, Renee Slegers will have plenty of options of real quality to rotate in those positions to allocate plenty of rest to players, adjust for different challenges and ensure that dependency on certain individuals is reduced. Stanway brings great experience, talent and versatility as Arsenal pursue a first WSL title in eight years. Grade: A

For Stanway: When Stanway joined Bayern, she was in need of getting her career back on track in a way, after a disappointing end to her time at Man City. She did that and more in Germany, cementing herself as a key player for England and one of the best midfielders in the world in the process. Now, she returns home to play in the best league in Europe, in the WSL, for a side that just last year won the Champions League. That’s the trophy that has eluded her and it’s one she may have a better chance of winning with this move, given Arsenal’s recent record in the UWCL, even if domestic honours won’t come as readily as they did in Munich. Grade: B

For Eintracht Frankfurt: This is going to be a interesting summer for Eintracht. Anyomi is one of four key players to depart for free and she will perhaps be the most difficult to replace, after providing 13 goals and six assists in 20 Bundesliga starts last term. The club are doing a lot of good things off the pitch and have finished third in all of the last five seasons, to consistently qualify for European football. However, figuring out how to keep hold of players like Anyomi is vital moving forward. Eintracht do at least have a good track record of figuring out how to replace those who do leave and will need to be at their best again in the market to ensure they aren't hit too hard. Grade: D

For London City Lionesses: If London City want to kick on and really push for the top spots in the WSL, and success in domestic competitions, more game-changers in the final third will be important, with only one player in the squad hitting double figures for goals and assists last term. Anyomi's league numbers in 2025-26 are more than double what anyone but Freya Godfrey managed at London City, and she will hope to continue that form in England. Is she the perfect fit for Eder Maestre's style? Perhaps not, but she's a constant threat who offers something different. Grade: B

For Anyomi: There were bigger clubs linked with Anyomi in the build-up to this summer, including Bayern Munich, PSG and Paris FC - all of whom will play Champions League football next season, unlike London City. However, cup success doesn't feel entirely off the cards for the English side next season, especially with changes to the League Cup to come, and there is likely a greater guarantee of a more prominent role in what is an exciting project with some huge, huge names onboard. Grade: B-

For Valadares Gaia: While the club will have been under no illusions that keeping hold of Parkinson in the long-term was never likely, that doesn't stop it being a blow for Valadares' bright young star to depart. To add insult to injury, the club will also not receive a fee for Parkinson, making replacing her all the more difficult. Valadares did at least achieve some incredible things during her time at the club, reaching the Taca de Liga final this year and recording back-to-back top five finishes in Liga BPI. Grade: D

For North Carolina Courage: Parkinson is one of the most talented young players on the planet and the Courage have not only secured her signature, but they've done so on a three-year deal with the option for a fourth. The club has made a decent start to the NWSL season, but creativity has been lacking at times and that is certainly something Parkinson can help address. Head coach Mak Lind was previously working at Hacken, where he oversaw the development of a whole host of talented young players who have since made big moves, including new Real Madrid striker Felicia Schroder. He should be the right person to help Parkinson hit new heights, too. Grade: A

For Parkinson: Joining a club led by a manager with a great reputation in developing prospects, this is a fantastic move for Parkinson. The Courage have the third-youngest squad in the division, an average likely to rank even lower with the 18-year-old's arrival, but still have a number of very important veterans to guide those inexperienced players, making it a good environment for her to go into. The NWSL will also be very different in terms of style and demand to what Parkinson has been used to in Portugal, which should help round out her game a little more and force her to work on some of her weaker elements. It's hard to pick many faults with what she has chosen as her first big move. Grade: A

For Atletico: It’s a shame that Atletico lose Medina on a free transfer as the 22-year-old has developed wonderfully at the club over the last four years. Replacing her consistency and reliability won't be easy for the Spanish side, and she was also starting to become more of a leader in the team, too. A tough loss, but one which reflects where Atletico are at the moment, after finishing fifth in Liga F despite a promising Champions League campaign. Grade: F

For United: Medina has spent most of her career as a left-back, but this move could well suggest she is going to operate more regularly in the centre-back role she found herself in towards the end of her final season at Atleti. United already have a great left-back option, in Anna Sandberg, and adding Medina means there is depth behind the Sweden international as well as another option centrally. Medina did largely operate in the middle while part of a back three, whereas United play with a back four, so it'll be interesting to see how she adapts should she find herself in that position more regularly. Depth was vital for the Red Devils in this window; Medina brings that, versatility, quality and the potential to get even better. Grade: A

For Medina: This is another good-sized step in Medina's steadily improving career. After establishing herself in Liga F with Real Betis, she made the jump to a team towards the top end of the division at Atleti and now departs for perhaps the best league in the women's game, and a team competing at the right end of it. How she fits into this side, though, is fascinating. The signs suggest she will at least alternate between centre-back and left-back roles, thus seeing her build on her experience in the former position. Whether that suits her as well as the wider role, especially in a back four, only time will tell. Grade: B+

For Chelsea: For a time, Kerr’s Chelsea exit seemed inevitable and understandable. Having only returned from a 20-month injury lay-off at the start of the 2025-26 season, the Australia international struggled to get into Sonia Bompastor’s XI consistently, with the Frenchwoman instead preferring less natural options in the centre-forward role. Once Kerr got into the team after the Asian Cup, though, she never stopped scoring, ending the campaign on a run of seven goals in seven games. Aged 32, she was not the long-term No.9 answer, but was there a short-term deal that could have been done instead, especially with so many questions around the striker position at Chelsea? Perhaps not, given the demand elsewhere that was always going to exist for Kerr. It would have been preferable for the Blues to keep her around, but more reinforcements would always be necessary anyway. Grade: C

For Gotham: Despite sitting comfortably inside the play-off places through the first few weeks of the new NWSL season, Gotham have scored an incredibly low number of goals, with 12 in 11 games ranking fifth-worst in the division. Adding a player like Kerr should help address that. Esther Gonzalez has been very prolific for the team in years previous, but finds herself struggling this year, with it no surprise that Juan Carlos Amoros acted to bring in another top centre-forward option in Kerr once she became available. It’s a great signing for a team that needs to score more goals if it wants to retain its NWSL Championship title. Grade: B

For Kerr: After an up-and-down final season at Chelsea, and so soon after a long-term injury, it’s important that Kerr is playing regularly again, especially with the World Cup next year. Will she get a starring role at Gotham? Or will she and Gonzalez share duties as the No.9? Game time is not as much of a ‘gimme’ as it would perhaps be at other clubs, but Kerr has plenty of quality and will get the chance to show it, especially with Gonzalez struggling for form and Kerr feeling like a potentially better fit for Amoros' style. It’s also worth noting the personal positives of this move for the 32-year-old, which make it make even more sense. She and her partner, Kristie Mewis, have just recently had a child, and Mewis’ family is from Massachusetts, which is not a million miles away from New York. Grade: B

For Hacken: Sweden’s Damallsvenskan has become something of a feeder league in recent years, the kind which develops young talent brilliantly but always ends up selling to bigger, richer clubs in bigger, richer leagues. As such, Hacken always knew that they couldn’t keep hold of Felicia Schroder forever, and the timeline on her stay in Sweden was immediately reduced last season, when she scored a remarkable 30 league goals. It’s hard to feel like the club didn’t get as much as possible out of their time with the teenager, though. Schroder helped fire Hacken to a first league title in five years and a European triumph in the inaugural Europa Cup, before departing for an absolutely massive fee of around €1.5m (£1.3m/$1.7m). It’s a blow to lose her, but Hacken haven’t played this one badly at all. Grade: B

For Real Madrid: Is this a sign of Real Madrid finally showing the sort of ambition needed to close the gap on Barcelona? Las Blancas have been routinely criticised for a lack of impetus over the years, with them constantly second-best in Spain while many top stars have left at he same time, such as Olga Carmona, Esther Gonzalez and, just this summer, both Caroline Weir and Naomie Feller. Splashing big cash on one of the best young players in the world, though, represents a potential shift. Schroder is a star and shows all the signs of being able to replicate that while making a step up, adding necessary goals to a team that lacked that consistency from a centre-forward last season. She also has the potential to get better and, similarly to Linda Caicedo, Real will hope she develops into a world-beater in Madrid. Grade: A

For Schroder: Despite criticism of Madrid, this feels like a good move for Schroder. She should be the team's starting centre-forward, she will be exposed to a top league and regular Champions League football, and there is a step-up in pressure and expectation for her, but not as great a one as it could have been. Madrid also have a decent track record of developing young players, with Caicedo a stand-out example. Despite some key departures, the supporting cast around Schroder isn’t bad either, with how she links up with Caicedo in particular sure to be fascinating to watch. Grade: B+

For PSG: This was a move that didn’t quite work out for PSG and Earps. The goalkeeper arrived while still one of the best in her position. but couldn’t deliver a world-class level on a consistent basis in France, with some high-profile errors creeping in. It didn’t help that the club in general went through real turmoil at the same time, with Earps by no means responsible for their failures as a team while key players left, big games were lost and more managerial change happened. All in all, it’s no surprise that the two are to part ways as Earps’ contract ends, with little lost for PSG but nothing gained. Grade: C

For London City: It was a solid first season in the WSL for London City and to kick on from that, goalkeeper felt like a position to address. Among shot-stoppers to play at least 750 minutes, Elene Lete had the second-worst save percentage in the league this past season, conceding a division-high 6.8 goals more than she should have, according to expected goals statistics. Earps is more experienced than the 24-year-old, who can learn plenty from her new team-mate after an up-and-down first year in the WSL, and she has certainly hit greater heights in an admittedly longer career. Can Earps discover those upon her return to England? That will be what London City hope. Time will tell if it happens, but they have at least tried to upgrade an area of the squad that needed strengthening. Grade: B

For Earps: If Earps is to get back to being one of the best in her position on a consistent basis, moving away from the circus at PSG is probably not a bad idea. While the former England international has spoken a lot about the things she has learned, as a player and a person, by taking on a new experience in France, PSG can be chaotic and have constantly underwhelmed in the shadow of Lyon over the years. Earps will hope the ambitious environment of London City can help her rediscover some great form, with her also sure to be on a nice contract as the twilight of her career approaches. Grade: B

For Real Madrid: An indication of where the project of the women's team is at. Weir is arguably the greatest player to represent Las Blancas, such has been her remarkably consistent impact since arriving at the club in 2022. However, she departs having lifted no silverware in four years in the Spanish capital, with Madrid still miles behind Barcelona in the race for domestic silverware and a rung below the elite in Europe. In order to keep hold of top talent like Weir, Real simply have to do better with the women's team. She is going to be a massive loss. Grade: F

For Lyon: A fantastic pick-up on a free transfer for this year's Champions League runners-up. Weir is a game-changer at the elite level, boasting experience aplenty and proven quality on the biggest stages, all of which can aid a Lyon team looking to end what is now a four-year wait for another European crown. With Lindsey Heaps departing, the Scotland international also helps to reinforce the midfield area in what is simply a great signing for the French giants. Grade: A

For Weir: After being consistently brilliant during her time in Madrid, but never having any silverware to show for it, Weir deserves this sort of move, the kind of which should see her lift trophies aplenty. She has played for big clubs before, turning out for Arsenal and Manchester City during her time in England before the move to Madrid, and now gets the chance to go up another level entirely, representing the eight-time European champions. It's a move that, given the stages Lyon play on, should see the 30-year-old get more credit for her talent, too. Grade: A

For Arsenal: While the Gunners were always set to bid farewell to several first-team players this summer, as a whole host of contracts came up for renewal, reports suggested that Mead was one of those coming to the end of her deal that the club wanted to keep around. Despite not being a sure-fire starter this past season, the England international was still very effective and added plenty both in and out of possession for the two-time European champions. Arsenal could not match the length of deal being offered by Man City, though, meaning an unwanted goodbye. Replacing her well will be key this summer, with plenty of creativity and goal threat having departed north London as a result of this move. Grade: D

For Man City: The wide areas are well-stocked at Man City, making this an eyebrow-raising deal to some degree for many. A three-year deal for a player who has just turned 31 years old is always going to force a double take, too. But Mead has performed consistently well at the highest level for years now and she brings reliability, experience and winning mentality to the new WSL champions. If City want to compete for domestic titles again next season, they need a deeper squad, as a return to the Champions League is also coming. Mead, who is versatile enough to play across the front line, brings exactly that. Grade: B

For Mead: With a World Cup to come next year, game time is vital for Mead in this upcoming season if she wants to play a key role for England in Brazil - should they qualify. This move doesn’t necessarily guarantee that, given the depth City have in attack, but rotation will be vital should Andree Jeglertz’s side be able to compete on four fronts and Mead should therefore get plenty of opportunity to play and, in turn, force herself into the starting line-up. It’s also worth noting the positives of this move on a personal level for the winger. A three-year deal with a top club aged 31 is one of them, as is the reunion with partner Vivianne Miedema, who starred for City last season. Grade: B

For Arsenal: How Arsenal dealt with McCabe's contract situation was confusing from start to finish. Despite her being a key player and a regular solution to problems posed by injuries, such is her versatility, the Gunners were primed to let the Ireland captain leave, with her unsurprisingly attracting plenty of interest as the summer approached. They then made a U-turn and offered her a new deal, though The Athletic reported that 'was for a very specific role in the team going forward', so the player opted for a new challenge. It's not as big a blow to Arsenal as it would be were they not bringing in Barcelona full-back Ona Batlle, but it's hard not to feel like the Gunners will regret letting McCabe and her versatility, which solved problems in various positions last season, go - not least because she will now use that to strengthen a direct rival. Grade: D

For Chelsea: This is a fantastic signing for Chelsea, a sentiment heightened by the fact the club seemingly stole McCabe from right under the noses of Manchester City, the new WSL champions who were primed to sign the Ireland star to bolster a position that needs attention. Chelsea used various options at left-back last season, in Niamh Charles, Sandy Baltimore and Veerle Buurman, but none are naturals there. McCabe's arrival allows Baltimore to push forward into her preferred attacking role and it means Buurman can largely be used in a centre-back role, where she is brilliant. Charles, who looks set to move to City now instead, is a good player, but McCabe is one of the best in the women's game in this position, with her to significantly improve the Blues' XI as a result. Grade: A

For McCabe: There are many Arsenal fans out there dismayed by McCabe's decision to join a big rival, having spent the last 11 years marking herself out as a Gunners legend. But the 30-year-old is a top player and this is an opportunity for her to join another huge club with big ambitions. For her to stay in England and do that, there was always only going to be so many options. She is a great fit for the Blues, will be a key starter and has the opportunity to win plenty of silverware, if the club can put a disappointing season behind them and return to the heights of most of the past decade. Given she was not happy with the offer from Arsenal with regards to her role, this is an upgrade for her when it comes to her as an individual. Grade: B