Lyon, Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Man City, Man Utd, and Real Madrid are all at risk of losing their big stars as they could leave for free.
In January of each year, the winter transfer window opens, meaning a month of rumors, speculations, link-ups, and eventually, transfers.
Each year, the spotlight turns toward the players who have entered the final months of their contracts. They become free to negotiate with other clubs, preparing for an eventual move in the summer window.
In the women’s game, some of the biggest names find themselves as the primary targets of this month of speculations as they’re potentially 6 months away from becoming free agents. It’s decision time for them, they either renew with their clubs or search for a new adventure elsewhere.
Here is my list of those you should keep an eye on during this transfer window and the upcoming months.
Ada Hegerberg – Lyon
On July 17, 2014, Lyon fans were the happiest. Their club announced the signing of the Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg, aged 19 then.
Ada has won everything possible with the French giants and on multiple occasions. 6 Champions League titles, 8 French leagues, and the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner.
Ahead of the tenth anniversary of her Lyon arrival, could she break Lyon fans’ hearts and seek a new challenge? At 28 years old, she would make a great addition to any club. Or will her love for her club and teammates reign?
Following Lindsey Horan, Vanessa Gilles, and Christiane Endler’s renewals, but also, the arrival of Michelle Kang as the new OL Women’s president, sources close to the club predict that Hegerberg’s contract extension is only a matter of time.
Alexia Putellas – Barcelona
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner might be running out of contract, but reports suggested that she is finalizing a renewal deal with FC Barcelona.
Many Barca players are set to become free agents this summer, so the club’s management seems to have prioritized the renewal of key players.
Patri Guijarro and Mapi Leon have already signed their contract extensions, and Alexia Putellas and Mariona Caldentey seem next.
Early in the summer, rumors suggested that Putellas’ financial requests hadn’t been made, but kissing the badge after scoring for her home club against Benfica in the Champions League in November calmed the fans down. In their heads, she’s staying!
Sam Kerr – Chelsea
Matilda’s arrival in the English capital during the winter window of 2020 is considered one of the most successful in the game’s history. Kerr has been unstoppable since putting on the Blues jersey scoring 98 goals in 127 appearances and winning 10 trophies in just four years, all the while establishing herself as one of the game’s most prominent figures, both on and off the field.
Kerr’s contract expiration surely caused nightmares for Chelsea fans, but the signing of her fiancée, Kristie Mewis, with West Ham on an 18-month deal probably means the Australian is staying in London. In Netflix’sNFLX “Under Pressure” documentary, the pair confirmed not wanting to remain in a long-distance relationship, and thus, Mewis’ Hammers move should end the speculations.
The Hammers are at risk of relegation, and an eventual fall to the Women’s Championship could hypothetically impact Kerr’s decision, if Mewis leaves and moves back to the NWSL. However, could Kerr keep her future uncertain until the end of the season in May?
Mary Earps – Manchester United
Mary Earps, England’s No.1 goalkeeper, stands out as one of the prominent figures on this list, as her status at Manchester United has been closely examined over the past months.
During the summer, there was considerable speculation about Arsenal expressing interest in her. While there’s currently no indication that Arsenal will make a move to sign the 30-year-old this month, there’s also a notable absence of updates regarding Manchester United securing her to a new contract.
Fresh rumors have surfaced, connecting the England star to foreign clubs, notably placing Paris Saint-Germain at the forefront. Her exceptional performances for the national team at both the 2022 Euros and the 2023 World Cup have understandably attracted significant attention.
Adding to the intrigue is the recent development that Earps has switched agencies, aligning herself with the high-profile A&V just before the January transfer window opens. The implications of this move remain uncertain and only time will reveal its significance.
Lucy Bronze – Barcelona
In 2023, Lucy Bronze achieved the milestone of becoming the first English player to win the Women’s Champions League with two different clubs. She added a title with Barcelona to the three she had previously collected during her stint with OL.
Now that she has won it all in Europe, the question arises: could a fresh challenge be on the horizon for her in the upcoming year?
With Lucy Bronze’s contract set to expire in the summer, Barcelona’s well-stocked full-back department, bolstered by the arrival of Ona Batlle last summer, raises questions about her future with the club.
Persistent rumors of a move to the U.S., where she previously excelled during her college days, have circulated but never materialized.
As 2024 unfolds, the possibility of the England star exploring this option or potentially pursuing an entirely different path at the age of 32 remains open.
Lauren Hemp – Manchester City
Lauren Hemp, regarded as one of England’s most talented young players, has undergone a remarkable transformation into a consistently impressive winger since joining Manchester City in the summer of 2018.
In the last couple of seasons, the 23-year-old has notably incorporated goal-scoring into her repertoire, marking another significant stride in her development and contributing to the increased strength of the City team.
There is no doubt that the club management is eager to retain her, as reported by BBC Sport earlier this month, with ongoing discussions about a new deal for Lauren Hemp at Manchester City.
However, given her skills and abilities, she is a player who could enhance the roster of almost any team worldwide. Consequently, she is likely to have enticing options if she decides to explore new opportunities in her career.
Fran Kirby – Chelsea
Joining Sam Kerr on this list is Fran Kirby, another standout player at Chelsea.
Over the nine years since joining the club, Kirby has evolved into one of the key players in the Women’s Super League. Her impressive track record includes winning 13 titles and having a pivotal role in the Lionesses’ 2022 Euro Win.
Throughout the years, Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr have forged a potent partnership, contributing significantly to the club’s ascendancy as the dominant force in English women’s football.
Despite facing setbacks due to injury and illness, Kirby continues to be an immensely valuable player for the club.
Manager Emma Hayes has consistently characterized the connection between Kirby and the club as “a perfect match.” Fans will undoubtedly be hoping that both Kirby and Kerr stay. Losing Hayes was enough pain.
Teresa Abelleira – Real Madrid
Renewing contracts is Real Madrid’s most significant challenge for the upcoming months as 13 players on Las Blancas’ roster are entering the final months of their contracts.
Keeping Teresa Abelleira, whose standout performances in Spain’s World Cup victory last year have attracted interest from various clubs across Europe, comes on top of Madrid’s priorities.
Before the World Cup, Teresa Abelleira had a limited role at her club, struggling for match minutes. However, her outstanding midfield display during the World Cup, crucial to La Roja’s world championship, led to her securing a starting position in Madrid’s midfield.
Relevo reports that the attention she’s garnered from foreign clubs has influenced negotiations for a new deal at Madrid. As of early November, her renewal was the club’s priority, but there has been no further development reported since then.
Delphine Cascarino – Lyon
There are several contracts at Lyon expiring and another of those belongs to Delphine Cascarino. The France international came through the club’s academy, having joined it at 12 years old, and has firmly established herself in the first team since debuting back in 2015.
At the age of 26, Delphine Cascarino has accumulated an impressive tally of 22 trophies in the last nine years with Lyon. Her outstanding performances, leading to an eighth league title, earned her the Player of the Year honor at the UNFP Awards in May.
However, her achievements were followed by a setback as the forward endured a devastating ACL injury, sidelining her for the past seven months and causing her to miss France’s World Cup campaign.
With Lyon backing their attack during the previous transfer window, clinching Kadidiatou Diani and Melchie Dumornay’s contracts, could we see Cascarino on the departure?
Sakina Karchaoui – Paris Saint-Germain
Lyon’s rivals, Paris Saint-Germain, have another problem of their own that needs immediate fixing.
Sakina Karchaoui, one of the world’s best left-backs, is running out of contract.
Since she arrived in Paris three years ago, she has consistently delivered outstanding performances. Despite her excellence, PSG has found themselves in the shadow of Lyon in French women’s football, securing just one top-flight title. This trend extends to European competitions, with PSG reaching two UWCL finals but falling short of claiming the continent’s top trophy.
Given her talent and potential desire for silverware, Karchaoui would have no shortage of options if she decided to explore opportunities with a club more capable of challenging for major honors.
However, Sakina Karchaoui’s deep connection to the Parisian club and her ascent as one of its most prominent figures might serve as compelling reasons for her to consider staying.
Sydney Lohmann – Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich faces the risk of losing some high-profile players this summer, with Sydney Lohmann being arguably the most notable among them. The 23-year-old, highly regarded for her skills, has a promising future despite navigating through a couple of challenging years marked by injuries.
During an interview with SPORT1 over the winter break, Lohmann acknowledged the possibility of a move abroad, expressing her openness to learning about other cultures and her sociable nature. However, Bayern fans may find reassurance in her statement that she is currently in “discussions” with the club regarding a new contract. Lohmann explained that her priority, after dealing with injuries, was to regain her rhythm in the game, contributing to the delay in contract negotiations.
Mackenzie Arnold – West Ham
Mackenzie Arnold, the 29-year-old goalkeeper who showcased her skills for Australia during their home World Cup last year and earned a nomination for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award, is another player who could be considering a move in the coming months.
Arnold has been with West Ham since 2020, but with the team facing relegation in the WSL, top clubs have naturally expressed interest in the Australian goalkeeper. She was previously linked with Manchester United last summer, particularly amid rumors of Arsenal pursuing a deal for Mary Earps.
Should Earps move on this year, there is a possibility that Manchester United might revisit their interest in Arnold.
Kosovare Asllani – AC Milan
Kosovare Asllani stands out as an icon of her generation, having played for some of the biggest clubs in the game, including PSG, Manchester City, and Real Madrid. This summer, there is a possibility that she could be on the move again. Currently with Milan for the past season and a half, her time with the club has been somewhat underwhelming, lacking significant challenges for trophies.
Despite being 34 years old, Asllani’s unmistakable class on the field is still evident, making her an attractive prospect. If she becomes available on a free transfer in the upcoming months, there is no doubt that top clubs would express interest. The question remains: what might the next chapter of her illustrious career look like?
