Image source, Getty Images

Ins

• Martina Fernandez (Defender, from Barcelona)
• Rion Ishikawa (Defender, from Urawa Red Diamonds)
• Hikaru Kitagawa (Defender, from Hacken)
• Maz Pacheco (Defender, from Aston Villa)
• Katie Robinson (Midfielder, from Aston Villa on loan)
• Ornella Vignola (Forward, from Granada)
• Ruby Mace (Midfielder, from Leicester)

Outs

• Sara Holmgaard (Defender, to Real Madrid)
• Rikke Madsen (Forward, free agent)
• Maren Mjelde (Defender, free agent)
• Karoline Olesen (Midfielder, to Malmo)
• Heather Payne (Defender, free agent)
• Veatriki Sarri (Forward, to Birmingham City)
• Lauren Thomas (Midfielder, free agent)
• Justine Vanhaevermaet (Midfielder, free agent)

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

On Wednesday Everton signed England international Ruby Mace in a club-record deal – the latest example of the ambition of owners the Friedkin Group.

The versatile 21-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, called the move from Leicester City to Goodison Park “a dream come true” and Everton have signed one of the most promising prospects in the WSL.

An aggressive ball-winner, Mace provides an all-action game of tackles and interceptions, while an impressive engine allows her to cover the whole pitch as this touch map from Opta demonstrates.

Image source, Opta

She is at her most effective breaking up play, ranking among the top eight WSL players for both tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes.

Mace, who made her England debut in the win against Switzerland in December, also boasts good experience for her age, having started 52 WSL matches and played 3,455 minutes.

Her style of play, however, does come with some risk. Only West Ham forward Viviane Asseyi conceded more fouls than Mace’s 34 in last season’s WSL campaign.

She is now set to make her debut in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in Sunday's season opener.

Image source, BBC Sport

Jen Beattie
Former Scotland defender on BBC Women's Football Weekly

Everton started slow last season. I think their signings will be key. They've signed three internationals and when you have international signings coming in that will only boost your squad.

I am intrigued to see how Everton play. I think they will have a better season that last season for sure.

Image source, Getty Images

Here's a reminder of these opening fixtures, as the new WSL season kicks off tomorrow with champions Chelsea opening to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

While last season's runners-up Arsenal host newly promoted London City in their official new home at the Emirates on Saturday.

Then Sunday wraps up with four fixtures including the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

All fixtures kick off at 12:00 BST unless stated otherwise

Friday 5 September

• Chelsea v Manchester City (19:30 BST)

Saturday 6 September

• Arsenal v London City Lionesses (13:30 BST)

Sunday 7 September

• Brighton v Aston Villa
• Liverpool v Everton
• Manchester United v Leicester City
• Tottenham v West ham

Jen Beattie
Former Scotland defender on BBC Women's Football Weekly

You'd be absolutely gutted, honestly, if you are part of that squad and you see your captain go and your best forward go and you are wondering who you are bringing in to replace them, I think that is where the worry would come from right now.

I love these opening fixtures because there's always a big head-to-head - you have Chelsea-Man City and then a Merseyside derby, start with a bang.

You have to hit the ground running. When you lose players like they have sometimes it brings out the best of other players because they have to step up, I hope that is what happens at Liverpool.

Image source, Getty Images

Ins

• Rafaela Borggrafe (Goalkeeper, from Freiburg)
• Sam Kerr (Midfielder, from Bayern Munich)
• Kirsty Maclean (Midfielder, from Rangers)
• Lily Woodham (Defender, from Seattle Reign)

Outs

• Yana Daniels (Forward, free agent)
• Niamh Fahey (Defender, retired)
• Taylor Hinds (Defender, to Arsenal)
• Jasmine Matthews (Defender, free agent)
• Teagan Micah (Goalkeeper, to Lyon)
• Olivia Smith (Forward, to Arsenal)

Ellen White
England Euro 2022 winner on BBC Women's Football Weekly

I feel like they need to have in pre-season worked on being defensively more sound, not shipping goals and just being more compact as a team.

Hopefully they have had a good pre-season, they have built a good philosophy and togetherness and they are able to get points on the board at the start of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Ins

• Toko Koga (Defender, from Feyenoord)

Outs

• Rosella Ayane (Forward, free agent)
• Hayley Raso (Winger, to Eintracht Frankfurt)
• Becky Spencer (Goalkeeper, to Chelsea)

Jen Beattie
Former Scotland defender on BBC Women's Football Weekly

I'm worried for Tottenham, not going to lie. They were teetering on relegation last year and I don't know where it came from. It was one of the worst season's they'd had.

They have to turn it around. It is another level they have to go up. I am definitely worried.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United and England midfielder Grace Clinton is closing in on a move to Manchester City before Thursday's transfer deadline.

The 22-year-old had attracted interest from several clubs this summer with just a year remaining on her contract and no renewal agreed.

So why do City want her? The creative midfielder has an impressive all-round game, providing a goalscoring threat and an aggressive press off the ball. She’s been involved in 16 goals since making her WSL debut in 2023-24, scoring 12 and setting up four.

Ten goals from open play ranks her 11th of all players during this period, despite playing in midfield, while she is a threat from range – only Viviane Asseyi has scored more goals from outside the box than Clinton in the last two league seasons.

The Everton academy graduate also ranks second overall for possession won in the final third, demonstrating a work rate off the ball to match her attacking prowess.

Clinton scored on her England debut in February 2024 - a 7-2 thrashing of Austria - and made Sarina Wiegman's squad for Euro 2025, where she came on as a substitute in five of England's six matches.

She is a player firmly on the way up.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Lia Walti believes she can take everything she has learned from her seven years with Arsenal to ensure success at her new club Juventus, and is animated to get started.

“I feel excited, it’s a big step for me after leaving a place where I had spent so much time, but it’s a club I’ve always followed," Walti told the Juventus club website.

"I know a lot of the players here, it’s a new league for me as well and I’m really excited to be here.

"Every time I have to make a decision I listen to my gut feeling. When I spoke to all of the people at the club here I had a really good feeling that they, firstly, value my game, and also that they have big goals - they want to win trophies.

"I was really lucky to play in Germany and England, where I got to experience a lot. I know what it means to compete at the highest level and I hope, together with the other players here, that we find a way to beat other big teams both in Italy and in Europe."

Midfielder Lia Walti has joined Juventus on a deal until June 2027.

The Gunners announced Walti was leaving this morning after seven years at the club.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter

On the Grace Clinton/Jess Park, Manchester City/Manchester United deals, Park's contract length is four years.

The transfers are regarded as separate but United will be receiving a fee as Clinton more 'valuable'.