From Mary Earps leaving Man Utd behind for PSG to Vivianne Miedema's blockbuster Man City switch: GOAL grades the biggest deals from the 2024 women's summer transfer window

For Arsenal: On one hand, this is a perfectly good bit of business from Arsenal. Lacasse didn't nail down a place in the Gunners' starting XI last season after arriving from Benfica and was instead largely used as a sub, despite regularly making an impact. To sell her to the Royals for a significant fee, then, makes sense in a way. However, it's hard for the overriding feeling about this transfer not to be that Arsenal could have, and should have, used the Canada international more. To lose a versatile, hard-working and effective forward is a blow, even if the Gunners didn't get the best out of her. Grade: B

For Utah Royals: This is a fantastic signing for Utah, the lowest scorer in the NWSL through the first half of the 2024 season. Lacasse is an explosive, direct and exciting forward who can make things happen on her own, something that will be music to the ears of Royals fans who have had little to shout about on the team's return to the league. This isn't a side that leaks a ton of goals on a regular basis, with seven of its 11 NWSL defeats this year coming by one-goal margins, so the addition of some star quality in attack like Lacasse could make a huge difference in turning the tide. Grade: A

For Lacasse: It's a real shame that things didn't work out for the 31-year-old in England, as she had earned that opportunity through her excellence at Benfica, but this is a promising new chapter in a league that she should adapt to well given her athletic qualities. While playing for a team that has fared better so far this season might've been preferred, Lacasse will be a key player in Utah and that regular game time will certainly be welcomed, for the sake of her club career, sure, but also her international fortunes. Grade: B+

For Man Utd: Despite some generally positive business in terms of incomings, it's been a summer of big blows for Man Utd when it comes to exits. After the departures of star goalkeeper Mary Earps and fan favourite Lucia Garcia, club captain Zelem became the latest to leave when her contract expired at the end of June. It's another key player that the Red Devils have lost on a free transfer and another big leader that the dressing room no longer has. This is the second summer in succession that the team has had a window that gives it a 'transitional' feel and if the club wants to consistently challenge for trophies, those just cannot occur as regularly as they seem to be. Grade: F

For Angel City: If there was one area that Angel City needed to strengthen in, it was in midfield, and the club has done exactly that with the signing of Zelem. The 28-year-old will bring consistency, experience and leadership to the middle of the park for a team that needs a big second half of the season in order to get into those playoff spots again. She'll certainly boost the Los Angeles side in its quest to do so - and all on a free transfer, too. Grade: A

For Zelem: After six years at Man Utd, this move represents an exciting new challenge for Zelem. The midfielder has found herself on the outside looking in when it comes to England squads in recent times and perhaps a change of scenery is what she needs to increase her chances of getting a Lionesses recall before the European Championships next summer. The NWSL is a totally different league, so it will challenge her in new ways and make her a better player by rounding out other areas of her game. Whether it will be enough to get into Sarina Wiegman's squad again, only time will tell, but it does feel like it will aid Zelem's bid to get back in an England shirt. Grade: A

For Aston Villa: It's never ideal to lose your No.1 goalkeeper and Aston Villa do so just one season after signing her. They have at least got a significant fee in the process, having inserted a release clause worth £200,000 ($254,000) into Van Domselaar's contract last summer. That the club was able to replace her promptly was a positive too, signing Sabrina D'Angelo on a free after her release from Arsenal. It means the goalkeeper department is well-stocked, as the Canadian is added to a squad that already features New Zealand star Anna Leat and a promising young talent in Sophia Poor. Few would disagree that Van Domselaar is better than all three, however Villa will not be short of quality in that area despite her departure. Grade: B

For Arsenal: Does Jonas Eidevall finally have his ideal goalkeeper? It's a position that has seen constant chopping and changing during his tenure, with Van Domselaar the fourth player for the position that has arrived since he took charge in the summer of 2021. That's because it's been a bit of a problem area when it comes to consistent, error-free performances, something Eidevall will hope to get from the Dutchwoman. Whether or not she can deliver it, in just her second season in one of the world's best leagues, time will tell. The feeling is that the very talented Van Domselaar upgrades the goalkeeping department and will immediately compete to start - though, at 24 years old, she does still have growing to do as she becomes more experienced. Grade: B

For Van Domselaar: After a solid, though not flawless, first year in the Women's Super League with Aston Villa, Van Domselaar has earned herself a move to a club that will play in Europe and expect to compete for the title. It's expected that she will at least share duties with Manuela Zinsberger, too, if not pip her to the role of first-choice, so this is a hugely positive move for someone with such a bright future. It will come with more pressure and a demand for more consistency though and if she doesn't step up to deliver that, then Arsenal can turn to Zinsberger right away. It's competitive but exciting. Grade: A

For Chelsea: This is a huge blow. Carter was one of Chelsea's very best players as they won a fifth-successive Women's Super League title last season, her consistency crucial in a team that was hit by a ton of injuries in defence in particular. The Blues do still have some quality centre-backs, but her departure does knock the depth there, which is extremely important for a team that is regularly fighting on four fronts. Whether the club dips back into the market in light of this sale or trusts someone like Aniek Nouwen, a senior Netherlands international who has yet to assert herself at Chelsea, to step up, only time will tell. But this is a hit, not least because Carter has the versatility to help the team in a variety of positions. Grade: F

For Gotham: On the flip side, this is a great pick-up for the reigning NWSL champions. Gotham already have the best defensive record in the U.S. league this season, so while signing Carter doesn't fill a need, she will improve that backline even more with her quality, experience and the competition that her arrival will guarantee. The 26-year-old is another player who knows what it takes to consistently lift trophies, too, and that can certainly help a club that is looking to build a team capable of doing that for years to come. Grade: B

For Carter: After six years at Chelsea, and a decade playing in the top-flight of her home country, this is an exciting new chapter for Carter. The England star herself has spoken about how the NWSL's style, so different to the WSL, can help her to improve and become a better player, challenging her in new ways. She has already made so much progress in the last 12 months and this switch to a new environment can only help her continue down that path. That it reunites her with fiancé Ann-Katrin Berger is an obvious bonus. Grade: B

For Barcelona: There's a reason why the club wanted to keep Bronze around, even if not as a star player. The defender brings top-level experience to the table which is vital in the big games, as was seen when she was chosen to start the second leg of Barca's Champions League semi-final win over Chelsea and the victory in the final against Lyon. To lose her is a blow in that sense and also leaves them a little light in defence. Some reports suggest the Catalans aren't planning to recruit a replacement and that could be costly. Grade: D

For Chelsea: The champions of England didn't need to dip into the market in search of a right-back this summer, not with Eve Perisset and Ashley Lawrence at the club, but they have taken the opportunity to add an experienced presence to the squad by recruiting Bronze. She knows what it takes to get over the line in the big moments and Chelsea will hope, alongside a Champions League-winning coach in Sonia Bompastor, that helps them secure that elusive European title. It's not a signing that makes them drastically better, though it doesn't exactly make them worse. Grade: C+

For Bronze: It's no secret that Bronze and Barca wanted to continue together. However, it has been reported that she chose not to accept the club's proposal for renewal because she wanted to have a greater role in the team, suggesting that the offer she has received from Chelsea guarantees otherwise. To get to be a regular starter for the champions of England and a team that consistently competes in the latter stages of the Champions League is a success for her on an individual basis and it will surely allow her to add more trophies to her incredible collection. Grade: B

For PSG: The French giants were reported keen to renew Baltimore's contract so to lose her on a free transfer is a big blow. The 24-year-old might have seen her exciting progress stall a little in recent years but she remained a regular in the PSG XI and a player capable of producing a moment of magic in big moments. The Parisians will need to bring in a top replacement to fill that void. Grade: D

For Chelsea: On a free transfer, this is a pretty risk-free deal. Baltimore had an incredible breakthrough season in 2020-21 and hasn't really hit those heights again, despite remaining a starter in Paris and a fixture in the France national team. However, it's clear that she is still a big talent, something new Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor knows well from her time coaching Lyon. If the coach can work to get the best out of Baltimore again, she can add another dimension to the Blues' attack. Grade: B

For Baltimore: A new challenge might be exactly what the forward needs to return to her best level. Baltimore broke into the PSG first team at 16 years old and has been there ever since, so a different experience in a different country and a different league might be the type of move that can reignite her and her undeniable ability. She suits the fast-paced attack that Chelsea can boast and has the movement and skill to form some deadly partnerships in an already stacked squad. Grade: A

For Arsenal: After Miedema’s recent comments on her Gunners exit, in which she explained that the two parties agreed they just weren’t a good fit anymore, it makes the shocking news of Arsenal not offering her a new contract much more understandable. Here is a player that felt ready to move on, with the club on a similar page, and they’ve already acted to bring in a fantastic replacement in Mariona Caldentey. Still, it’s hard to positively analyse the departure of the Women’s Super League’s all-time top goal-scorer when she’s still only 27 years old, especially as she looks set to join a big rival. Grade: D

For Man City: What a pick up this is! A world-class forward who is still to enter her prime and is chomping at the bit to take on a new challenge, on a free transfer. There are questions over how Miedema fits into this Man City team, as it would be counter-productive to play her ahead of goal-machine Khadija Shaw in the No.9 role. However, the Dutchwoman is versatile and clever enough to adapt to a different role, likely playing just off Shaw. What a deadly duo they could be as Man City target a first WSL title since 2016. Grade: A

For Miedema: This is quite an exciting move from the forward’s perspective, too. Man City play attractive, attacking football that she will fit into nicely, regardless of her position in the XI, and they came so close to being crowned champions of England last year. Miedema arrives hungry for this new challenge and capable of bringing experience and quality that can help push the Cityzens over the line in that quest. She, too, is looking for just her second WSL title and it feels like the pair have a real chance of achieving that feat together. Grade: A

For Chelsea: Though she can still bring plenty to a team with her quality and experience, Kirby has had a tough time of things lately, with injuries and illness preventing her from hitting her highest level over the past couple of seasons. Given that, from a sporting perspective, it made sense for Chelsea to bid farewell to the 31-year-old when her contract came up at the end of the 2023-24 season, even if it might've been an emotional goodbye given all she has done for the club in the last nine years. The send-off the Blues gave Kirby was classy and extremely well-deserved, too. Grade: B

For Brighton: This is a real coup for a team that is still looking to establish itself in the Women's Super League. Brighton still don't have a permanent manager in place, some five months after they controversially chose to sack Mel Phillips, and they are set to lose both of their most prominent attacking weapons, in goal-machine Elisabeth Terland and Katie Robinson, the young England winger. Yet, they have managed to snap up Kirby on a free. Her experience will help this group massively and she still has bags of quality to help the Seagulls improve their results. Grade: A

For Kirby: It's going to be quite a change for the 31-year-old after so many years of challenging for trophies on four fronts. This could be good for her, though. Brighton do not play as many games as Chelsea and that could suit someone who has struggled for fitness in recent times, allowing Kirbyr to get back into a groove where she can consistently deliver on the pitch. There's no reason why she can't remain in the picture for England, either. After all, Sarina Wiegman knows what she brings to the table and she took Robinson, who has just left the Seagulls, to the World Cup last summer while she was thriving for Brighton. If she is in form, Kirby can still play her part for the Lionesses. Grade: B-

For Benfica: In truth, it’s a surprise that Benfica managed to hold on to Kika for this long. She marked herself out as one of Europe’s top young talents many years ago and it always felt like a matter of time until she got a big move abroad, with Portuguese women's football certainly on the up but not at the level in other nations quite yet. In the end, that they get a bumper fee of around €500,000 (£424,000/$538,000) is a great result in a deal that felt inevitable. Grade: B+

For Barcelona: For that money, Barca get a player with an absolutely huge future. The 21-year-old has already showed so much quality with Benfica and Portugal, and she can surely go to new levels while playing for the best team in Europe. Kika's arrival also fills a need after the departure of Mariona Caldentey. The Spain star, who has joined Arsenal, occupied roles on the left, through the middle and in midfield. Kika might not be as established but she is exciting, versatile and can help fill some of the gaps Caldentey leaves. Grade: A

For Kika: The young forward had her pick of Europe's top clubs, with Chelsea and Lyon also interested, but not only was Barca the path she wanted to take, it also feels like the option that suits her best. At the former two, she'd improve simply from exposure to the highest level. However, in Catalunya, given the club's style, the feeling is that Kika will be able to take huge strides forward in her technical ability while still being given the freedom to express herself. Barca are good are steadily integrating their young players and introducing them to the highest level, too, which adds to the feeling that it is a good fit. Grade: A

For Lyon: This is a real blow to the eight-time European champions. After some injury struggles, Mbock really felt like she was back to her best level this past season - and that is very high. Unsurprisingly, Lyon were keen to tie her down to a new deal and OETL reported that the presentation shirt with ‘2027’ printed on the back was even ready to go, until a late switch of plans saw the defender sign for PSG. It hurts because Lyon were so keen to keep her and she is a top player, but they are at least not left in the lurch at centre-back, with Wendie Renard and Vanessa Gilles backed up by the talented young Alice Sombath. You’d expect them to recruit a replacement, too. Grade: D

For PSG: This is an impressive signing for OL’s big rivals, a team that has been the perennial bridesmaid in French women’s football for so long. PSG probably didn’t desperately need a centre-back as Elisa de Almeida and Eva Gaetino have formed a strong partnership, with Clare Hunt and Thiniba Samoura providing good back-up, but Mbock certainly makes the team stronger as the Parisians bid to close the gap to Lyon. It deals a blow to their rivals, too. Grade: B+

For Mbock Bathy: This is a surprise move for a player who was an important part of Lyon’s project. It comes in a summer where a lot of change is expected on both sides of the premier rivalry in French women’s football, though it’d take a brave observer to suggest PSG can suddenly make huge gains in an incredibly one-sided head-to-head record. Still, this is a new challenge for Mbock, a chance to be part of a project that is still to reach its crescendo and perhaps an opportunity to be a real central figure of a top team. It won’t impact her international standing or top level, though it is likely to result in fewer trophies than before. Grade: C

For Paris Saint-Germain: Yes, Chawinga joins Lyon from Chinese side Wuhan Jianghan University, but it is PSG that we have to talk about when it comes to the team that loses out. The forward was on loan in Paris last season and claimed the league's top-scorer and best player awards for her exploits, as well as helping the club to win the Coupe de France. It's no wonder PSG wanted to sign her permanently. To not get the chance to do that is a huge blow in itself - and for her to join the club's biggest rivals rubs salt in the wounds. Grade: F

For Lyon: On the other side of that story, Lyon not only secure one of the most dangerous forwards in the women's game by signing Chawinga, they also significantly weaken their biggest rivals. There is talk of PSG hoping to sign OL forward Delphine Cascarino, which would certainly soften this blow, but even if that happens, it would feel like Lyon had got the better deal just because of the incredible level Chawinga showed last season. Grade: A

For Chawinga: After proving herself with one of Europe's top clubs and in one of the continent's best leagues, Chawinga's reward is a further step forward in a move to the eight-time Champions League winners. She played a huge role in helping PSG to win only a fifth major honour last season and with Lyon, one would imagine she'll get many more chances to lift silverware as well as greater opportunity to become a European champion. Grade: A

For Barcelona: There's not much more that the Catalans could've done here. They tried to keep Caldentey around, but the forward was keen on embarking on this new chapter, meaning it wasn't about how much money they could put on the table to convince her to stay. For sure, it's a loss, as the 28-year-old is one of the most intelligent players that Barca have had on their books in the last 10 years. However, the positive is that the club has plenty of depth in attack and is even looking to add to that, with Benfica sensation Kika Nazareth strongly linked. Grade: C

For Arsenal: This is a real coup for the Gunners. It's hard to overstate how clever and talented a player Caldentey is and she will bring real creativity to an attack that lacked that at times last season. She's well-versed in breaking down low blocks too, something Arsenal consistently struggled with last season. Whether Jonas Eidevall can find the right position for Caldentey to thrive in his system, only time will tell, but there's no getting away from what a fantastic signing this is, particularly after the departure of Vivianne Miedema. Grade: A

For Caldentey: After 10 years with Barcelona, a new challenge is what Caldentey has chosen and it'll certainly be different as she swaps the European champions for a team that will compete in the first round of Champions League qualifying in a few weeks' time. It's a move that can further round her out as a player though, from the experience she will get playing in a league that is very different to the Spanish top-flight. Arsenal are not on Barca's level right now, of course, but they are a team that regularly challenges for, and wins, trophies. Caldentey can make them even stronger as they bid to keep that up. Grade: C+

For Man Utd: The only positive that can be drawn from this situation for the Red Devils is that, in Phallon Tullis-Joyce, they signed a fantastic goalkeeper last summer who can step into the void left by Earps and prove herself. Otherwise, it's an incredibly avoidable situation that they find themselves in, bidding farewell to a world-class shot-stopper. The club's weakness in contract negotiations has been exposed again, these having dragged on for over 18 months before Earps' decision to eventually depart. It's another loss of a key player on a free transfer, too, and perhaps not the last this summer. Grade: F

For PSG: In truth, the Parisians didn't desperately need to add another goalkeeper to an already competitive group. However, when someone of Earps' calibre comes onto the market, and for free, why would a top team not explore such a possibility? The England star will add tons of experience as PSG continue their quest of closing the gap to a dominant Lyon side, as well as quality in between the sticks. It wasn't an absolutely necessary deal, but it improves them. Grade: B

For Earps: Finally, the 31-year-old is going to get the chance to challenge for top club honours on a regular basis as, one would assume, first-choice goalkeeper. Earps had a taste of that as a back-up at Wolfsburg and there have been positive glimpses at United, not least the FA Cup trophy she departs England having just won. However, though Lyon are France's dominant force, joining PSG is a step up to a regular title-chasing side that plays Champions League football every year. That's what she deserves at this point in her career, and she's got a bumper deal to boot. Grade: B+

For Wolfsburg: How can it not be a concern for Wolfsburg to see one of their star players join their biggest rivals on a free transfer? Only a year on from the She-Wolves being in the Champions League final, they've lost their midfield lynchpin, in Oberdorf, and one of the best No.9s in the game, in new Barcelona signing Ewa Pajor. How they respond to these departures will be crucial if they are to remain among Europe's elite. Grade: F

For Bayern Munich: Talk about asserting your authority. That Bayern have been able to lure Oberdorf to the other side of this German rivalry says a lot about their ambition and project. Last season was a slightly disappointing one for the Munich club. Yes, they won the league, but they crashed out in the Champions League group stages and never really showed up against Wolfsburg in the DFB Pokal final. Adding someone of Oberdorf's calibre is a positive step towards enhancing their status in the game and picking up more silverware. Grade: A

For Oberdorf: Upon the announcement of this deal, Oberdorf said that Bayern had shown her where her "potential lies" and "what they can still get out of me". It's clear that, at 22 years old, she sees this transfer as one which can help her take even further steps forward. From a team perspective, the back-to-back German champions are certainly in a stronger position than Wolfsburg right now and a signing like Oberdorf can help to maintain that gap. It's not an incredible step up for the Germany star, but it's a new challenge for her to get stuck into and an exciting project for her to join. Grade: B

For Man City: A few months ago, City would've got a better grade for this deal. They started the season with three top goalkeepers competing for one spot, settled on teen sensation Khiara Keating as No.1, Lioness-turned-Scotland star Sandy MacIver as back-up and often left Roebuck out of matchday squads. Letting her go, then, made sense for all parties. However, the ACL injury MacIver suffered in April has suddenly left them with just one shot-stopper available. Overall, it's a deal that is not great for them nor terrible, but they will need to recruit another goalkeeper in this window. Grade: C

For Barcelona: Getting someone as talented as Roebuck on a free transfer feels like an easy win for Barca. The Catalans needed to bolster this position following the departure of Sandra Panos and they needed their new signing to be someone who could compete for the No.1 shirt, rather than just acting as back-up. Cata Coll might've been Spain's first-choice goalkeeper as they won the World Cup last summer, but she's still quite inexperienced and hasn't been a regular starter for Barca in a full season yet. Roebuck adds eight years of first-team experience and has the potential to get even better, at just 24 years old. She'll ensure the goalkeeper department remains very competitive in Catalunya and will be itching to prove herself to get back into the England fold. Grade: A

For Roebuck: It's been such a tough year for the England goalkeeper. Having found herself out-of-favour for the first time in eight years at City, she dropped out of the Lionesses squad and then revealed the awful news that she had suffered a type of stroke. But she's worked incredibly hard to get back to a place where she's secured a move like this. Barca are the reigning European champions so to play for them will be an honour, and the goalkeeper situation at the club is one which she can stake a claim for regular game time at that top level. She has work to do to return to her best level after this past season, but Roebuck is still extremely talented and she can remind everyone of that with Barca. Grade: A

For Wolfsburg: The only thing that makes this a good deal for Wolfsburg is that they collected a bumper fee of somewhere around €500,000 (£423,000/$536,000) for Pajor. Otherwise, it's another really worrying departure following that of Oberdorf. Wolfsburg have never had the same finances as others among Europe's elite, but it'd be naive not to be concerned that these recent deals are a sign of them being left behind. Grade: D-

For Barcelona: After the departure of Asisat Oshoala, and arguably even before that, Barcelona have needed to add a prolific No.9 to their already-stacked squad. Pajor is the perfect fit. While she hasn’t come cheap (though reports suggest Barca may have been able to pay a lower fee than her release clause), she will be worth every penny because she is proven at the very highest level. It’s hard to imagine this transfer not being a success. Grade: A

For Pajor: Is this the move that paves the way for Pajor to get the credit she deserves? Despite scoring 136 goals in 196 games for Wolfsburg, the 27-year-old has often flown under the radar when it comes to discussing the best No.9s in the women’s game. A move to Catalunya, however, could change that. More importantly to the player, it could lead to her first European title after she collected four runners-up medals in Germany. Having spent her last season at Wolfsburg playing out of position at times as Tommy Stroot tried to accommodate both her and Alex Popp, that Pajor will consistently be Barca’s centre-forward and receiving service from the likes of Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas and Caroline Graham Hansen will sound like heaven. Grade: A

For Man City: This is a deal that made sense for all parties, and that includes City. Morgan is a real success story from the club's youth set-up, breaking through as a teenager before becoming a regular starter, but she struggled for game-time last season despite City not always having a perfectly settled back four. For them to get a fee for an out-of-favour player who is out of contract next summer is good business, then. The only way that outlook could change is if the rumours of an exit for Laia Alexiandri, one of those who played ahead of Morgan in a few positions, prove to be true. Grade: A

For Washington Spirit: The Spirit has one of the best defensive records in the NWSL in 2024 and the addition of Morgan will only help to maintain, if not improve, that fact. Her ability to play anywhere across the backline is a huge asset to add depth to the squad and, despite being only 23 years old, she brings experience from club level and internationally, having been part of the England squad that reached the World Cup final. She'll need to get up to speed after a lack of game time, though, and adapt to a very different league in the NWSL. Grade: B-

For Morgan: It will have surely been hard for Morgan to come to the conclusion that leaving City was the best thing for her career at this point. The defender grew up as a fan of the club, came through the youth set-up and then realised her dream of playing for and winning trophies with the Cityzens. However, a lack of minutes has left her spot in the Lionesses' squad in jeopardy and it made sense to act now, rather than wait for her to drop out of the picture if things didn't improve. Morgan has traits that suit the NWSL, she has the versatility to be an asset for the Spirit and she could really kick on in the U.S., signing a four-year deal. Grade: A