Women's Super League

With a new Women's Super League season on the horizon, the Women's Football Weekly podcast is back!

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie return to assess where teams are up to heading into the new season.

With transfer deadline day on Thursday, which deals could still go through to make a difference? How will newly-promoted London City Lionesses fare? And which teams might struggle?

All that, plus the team give their top three predictions for the new season, plus those teams we could see go into the relegation play-offs!

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Leicester City are working on a move for Birmingham City's Emily van Egmond.

The Australia midfielder has two years remaining on her contract with the WSL 2 side, having joined in January 2025, so Birmingham would expect to receive a significant fee for her.

It is unclear if a loan move is being discussed but Leicester are hopeful of agreeing a deal before Thursday's 23:00 BST deadline.

The 32-year-old has more than 150 appearances for Australia and scored two goals in eight games for WSL 2 side Birmingham City last season.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool are attempting to bring in Barcelona teenager Emilia Szymczak on loan for the season - but face competition.

Poland international Szymczak, 19, mainly plays as a central midfielder for Barcelona's B team and has made 14 appearances for the national team.

She joined Barcelona in 2023 and is seeking a step up to first-team football with a few clubs interested in a loan option.

Szymczak has featured for Barca's senior team in the Copa Catalunya - a Catalonia knockout competition - and pre-season friendlies.

Liverpool brought in a new head of recruitment - Rob Clarkson - for the women's team this summer following the appointment of manager Gareth Taylor.

They are wanting to strengthen in several positions but only have until Thursday's transfer window deadline (23:00 BST) to complete business.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Northern Ireland international Rachel Furness has been named Newcastle United's Under-16s head coach.

It is the first year of Newcastle's Professional Game Academy and Furness' first role in coaching.

The 37-year-old retired from playing in June following a season at childhood club Newcastle and she is now working towards her coaching A Licence.

During her 21-year career, Furness played for Sunderland, Reading, Liverpool and Bristol City, as well as two spells at Newcastle.

"I loved playing here and now is my chance to give back to the younger players and inspire them," said Furness.

"To be involved at a club like this gives me a great opportunity to continue to learn and develop as a coach."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Everton have agreed a fee with Leicester City to sign England international Ruby Mace.

Leicester turned down an initial £100,000 offer from Everton earlier this month as they deemed Mace‘s value to be much higher so the agreed fee is understood to be considerably more.

Mace successfully underwent a medical at Everton on Friday.

The 21-year-old has made 12 appearances for Leicester after joining on a permanent deal from Manchester City in 2024 and had a year remaining on her contract.

She had a successful loan spell at Leicester the season before and is regarded as one of England's most promising young talents.

Mace made her England senior debut in December 2024, starting in a 1-0 friendly victory over Switzerland.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham midfielder Keira Flannery is set to join Charlton Athletic on loan for the season.

The 19-year-old, who has represented England at various youth age groups, has made five appearances for West Ham.

She spent last season on loan at Sunderland, making three appearances, and hopes to continue her development in the second tier in 2025.

The WSL and WSL 2 transfer window closes on Thursday, 4 September.

Image source, Getty Images

London City Lionesses have signed defender Wassa Sangare on a season-long loan from Lyon.

The 19-year-old joined Lyon's academy in 2022 and made her senior debut in December 2023. Sangare joined Le Havre on loan in January 2025.

She won the Women's Under-17s European Championship with France and has made more than 25 appearances for the Under-19s.

"When London City contacted me, I didn't hesitate to come because it is a beautiful, ambitious project," Sangare said.

"The WSL is one of the best leagues at the moment. There is a lot of fans who come to the games, and it will be exciting to play in the large stadiums, the best stadiums in the world.

"I'm happy to be here and I am excited to start!"

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Birmingham City FC

Birmingham City have signed French youth international Oceane Hurtre from Paris St-Germain on a three-year deal.

The 21-year-old is the latest in a host of signings for the WSL 2 side who are hoping to push for promotion to the top tier this season.

Hurtre also had spells at AS Poissy and Olympique Lyonnais before returning to PSG in 2018.

"I am very happy to be here. This is a new stage for me, a new goal, and I can't wait to get started," she said.

"I am very eager to play in front of the supporters, discover the stadium and win many matches here."

Amy Merricks' side, who missed out on the title by two points last season, have made seven signings this summer including Adriana Franch from Kansas City Current and Lucy Newell on loan from Manchester United.

The deadline for the WSL and WSL 2 transfer window is 23:00 BST on Thursday, 4 September.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea goalkeeper Femke Liefting is set to join Newcastle on loan for the season.

The 20-year-old joined Chelsea in January on a three-and-a-half year deal from AZ Alkmaar but is yet to make a competitive appearance for the club.

She received her first call-up to the senior Netherlands squad for friendlies against Indonesia and Denmark in October last year.

WSL 2 side Newcastle United have already made six signings this summer as they aim for promotion to the top tier.

Image source, Getty Images

Winger Hayley Raso is leaving Tottenham to join Eintracht Frankfurt on a permanent basis.

The Australia international arrived in north London in August, 2024 and scored her only goal on her debut in the 4-0 Women's Super League win over Crystal Palace.

She went on to make 16 appearances for the club.

A statement from Spurs read: "We thank Hayley for her service to the Club and wish her all the best for the future."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham teenager Princess Ademiluyi is poised for a move to American club Gotham FC.

The 19-year-old forward, who made her first team debut for West Ham in 2023, is in line to make the move before next week's transfer deadline in the Women's Super League.

The England Under-19 player has been at West Ham since the age of 12 and graduated from their academy before breaking into the first team - the first female player at the club to do so.

She spent part of last season on loan at WSL 2 side Charlton Athletic, making 13 appearances, before returning to West Ham in January 2025.

The Hammers are expected to receive a fee because she signed a long-term deal in 2024.

West Ham have signed four players so far in the window. The deadline is 23:00 BST on Thursday, 4 September.