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

If Manchester City keep everyone fit I still think they arguably play the best football in the league.

If they keep everyone fit, which is what let them down last season, I think they could do some serious damage in this league.

With everyone fit, they will be the team to chase Chelsea.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Manchester City midfielder Jess Park completed her medical at Manchester United last night and an agreement was reached between the clubs.

We don’t know the details of that agreement yet but it accelerates Grace Clinton’s move the other way.

Clinton is heading to City today to finalise the switch, with a medical to take place later, and the clubs will then exchange finances.

They are separate deals so a transfer fee is paid for both but with Clinton’s expected to be higher, it’s likely only City will pay a sum to United to cover the difference.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United and England midfielder Grace Clinton is closing in on a move to Manchester City, with her international team-mate Jess Park set to move the other way.

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

Local rivals City are hopeful of reaching a deal with United before the 23:00 BST deadline.

Meanwhile, United see Park as a high-quality addition and while the deals are separate, she is considered a strong replacement for Clinton.

United were keen to keep Clinton, but they would rather cash in on the England international and avoid losing her for free next year.

In previous seasons, United lost striker Alessia Russo and goalkeeper Mary Earps after the expiry of their contracts following failed contract renewal negotiations.

Image source, Getty Images

Ins

• Iman Beney (Forward, from Young Boys)
• Sydney Lohmann (Midfielder, from Bayern Munich)
• Jade Rose (Defender, from Harvard University)
• Eartha Cumings (Goalkeeper, from FC Rosengard)
• Laura Wienroither (Defender, from Man City)

Outs

• Laia Aleixandri (Defender, to Barcelona)
• Chloe Kelly (Winger, to Arsenal)
• Aemu Oyama (Midfielder , to FC Rosengard on loan)
• Jill Roord (Midfielder, to FC Twente)

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

With the WSL transfer market developing at a rapid rate and fees growing considerably with each window, Manchester City have been smart.

Yui Hasegawa is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and is integral to Manchester City's style of play.

By tying her down for the next four years, City have ensured they either keep her world-class qualities, or they receive decent money for her should a rival come in.

Hasegawa quickly grew into a fan-favourite and she seemlessly filled the void left by England international Keira Walsh when she joined Barcelona for a then-world record transfer fee of £400,000 in 2022.

It is a huge boost for City that she sees potential to win silverware despite them failing to qualify for this season's Women's Champions League and it is also a significant nod of confidence for new manager Andrée Jeglertz.

City have pulled out all the stops to make her feel welcome in Manchester, bringing in Asian food specialists to produce high-quality matchday-1 meals for the Japanese players and translators to help them develop their English.

BBC 5 Live Breakfast

Nikki Doucet, chief executive at WPLL which oversees England's top two tiers of women's football, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think we’re going to see an incredible season. We’re already seeing it in all the news that has come out just this week ahead of the start of the new season on Friday and I think it’s another ignition moment for the sport.

"Everybody was so excited for the Lionesses and we’re super excited for everybody to continue to watch their favourite player this season."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City midfielder Yui Hasegawa has signed a new two-year contract extension that keeps her at the club until June 2029.

Hasegawa, 28, agreed a three-year deal in January 2024 but has committed her future to the club on even longer terms this summer.

It is a significant move for Manchester City as the Japan international has become a key figure since her arrival from West Ham in 2022.

She has made 95 appearances in three seasons and was shortlisted for the Women's Ballon d'Or award in 2023 and 2024.

"I really want to win the title at this club and there are players I want to play with. This is one of the biggest reasons [why I wanted] to stay here," said Hasegawa.

"New things always have a good impact on the team, so the new manager and new players are so good, and it makes me have to work hard."

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport

Thanks Kels, it's been a real team effort.

Speaking of, I think it's time for a substitution. Holly Bacon is taking over. See you guys in a bit.

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

I'm a bit worried for Leicester, if I'm being honest. In the last few days they've lost Ruby Mace. I'm a bit worried in the sense are they going to be batting that relegation place.

They have some great individuals but hopefully they can get that bit of stability for those players.

Image source, Leicester City

Ins

• Celeste Boureille (Midfielder, from Montpellier)
• Katie Keane (Goalkeeper, from Shamrock Rovers)
• Heather Payne (Defender, free agent)

Outs

• Sophie Howard (Defender, to Como)
• Lena Petermann (Forward, to Breder Wemen)
• Saori Takarada (Midfielder, free agent)
• Ruby Mace (Midfielder, from Leicester)

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

I'm told Leicester City have enquired about taking Liverpool full-back Lucy Parry in on loan for the season.

It's unlikely to happen as Liverpool are not keen to let her go, even if they are pushing to bring in Manchester City's Risa Shimizu on loan.

Liverpool's loan agreement with Barcelona teenager Emilia Szymczak is moving on nicely though.

Image source, Chelsea FC

Ins

• Mara Alber (Forward, from Hoffenheim)
• Ellie Carpenter (Defender, from Lyon)
• Livia Peng (Goalkeeper, from Werder Bremen)
• Becky Spencer (Goalkeeper, from Tottenham)

Outs

• Ashanti Akpan (Midfielder, to Southampton on loan)
• Julia Bartel (Midfielder, to Atletico Madrid on loan)
• Mia Fishel (Forward, to Seattle Reign)
• Sophie Ingle (Midfielder, free agent)
• Ashleigh Lawrence (Defender, to Lyon)
• Zecira Musovic (Goalkeeper, to Malmo)
• Maelys Mpome (Defender, to Brighton)
• Louna Ribadeira (Forward, to Fleury 91 on loan)

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Everton have had a hugely successful window and wrapped up their club-record signing Ruby Mace yesterday.

We expect that to be the final piece of business on Finch Farm, but never say never in a transfer window…

Arsenal’s youngsters have been finalising loan moves in the last few days so a few more are expected to be announced including Maddy Earl to Ipswich and Cecily Wellesley-Smith to Leicester City.

The club also did their business early and at the moment, we’re not expecting any late moves. They have been linked with Frankfurt’s Géraldine Reuteler by trustworthy source Arseblog, but there appears to be no movement on that so far.

However, Arsenal have a tendency to spark late drama by accelerating moves for future targets when things shift in the window. I would not rule them out.