Women's Super League

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Everton

Everton have signed French striker Louna Ribadeira on loan from Chelsea for the remainder of the season.

Ribadeira, 20, joined Chelsea in the summer from Paris FC, where she was immediately loaned back after joining the Women's Super League champions.

The forward, who made her debut for France last May against England, scored once in two appearances for the French side before returning to the Blues last week.

Ribadeira becomes the Toffees' fourth new arrival of the January window. Brian Sorensen's side have already signed midfielder Hayley Ladd from Manchester United permanently, as well defender Martina Fernandez and midfielder Emma Watson on loan from Barcelona and United respectively.

Prior to joining Chelsea, Ribadeira scored 13 times in 60 appearances for Paris. She was also named as the player of the tournament at the 2023 Women's Under-19s European Championship.

"Louna is an excellent talent which is why Chelsea signed her to a long-term contract," said Sorensen. "She is a different type of number nine striker who can drop into midfield and build up play, while her finishing is top quality."

Everton have struggled for goals throughout this season, netting just six in their 10 WSL matches. Only Leicester City (three) have fewer.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Women’s Championship side Newcastle United are pursuing young Aston Villa forward Freya Gregory.

The 22-year-old is a product of Aston Villa’s academy but has struggled for regular game time at the Women’s Super League club.

She spent the last two seasons on loan at Leicester City and Reading, before joining Southampton for another loan spell in the summer.

However, Villa recalled the England youth international from the Saints on Wednesday, activating a clause in her loan agreement, amid interest from Newcastle.

Gregory made 12 appearances and scored twice during her time at Southampton.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic said the club believe finishing in the Women's Super League's top four is a realistic target.

Albion return from the winter break fifth in the table and have a six-point cushion over sixth-placed Tottenham.

Speaking before Friday's game against Liverpool (kick-off 19:00 GMT), Vidosic said: "If you ask us we will always say yes.

"The club has set the ambition of being in the top four, I will always set the ambition of trying to be champions. That is the mentality. We will go out, we will try and win every game.

"In the end only one team can be champions and we will do everything we can. We are still in three competitions, we will put our best foot forward in all three to try and bring back some silverware to the club."

Here are more key lines from his news conference:

• On whether the club are ahead of schedule in his first season, Vidosic said: "Overall I am really happy with how we have progressed and we are looking to take the next steps starting on Friday night."

• He added: "There are still phases of play and aspects of the game that we are looking to fix. We are learning throughout and how teams are differing their style to match ours. There has been a lot of learning and there is still a lot of learning to go."

• On the postponement of Saturday's FA Cup tie, he said: "Everyone was keen to get back into it but mother nature had other ideas. It was very cold. The staff tried everything to get the pitch ready but player safety has to come first."

• On having an extra week to get players back from injury: "It's given an opportunity for a couple of players to keep building and re-join the squad. It's good to have bigger numbers now."

• He expects a "great game" against "a very dangerous opponent" in Liverpool.

Image source, Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham have signed Leicester City goalkeeper Lize Kop for an undisclosed fee.

The Netherlands internationals joins on a deal until June 2028 and will wear the number one shirt at Spurs.

She made 17 appearances for Leicester City after joining from Ajax in August 2023 and made her Women's Super League debut in January 2024.

The 26-year-old has attracted attention from several WSL clubs, including Manchester United, who tried to sign Kop last summer.

Spurs have been looking for a goalkeeper since Czech Republic's Barbora Votikova left in August 2024.

Kop has made 13 appearances for the Netherlands and was part of the squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women's World Cup.

The Women's Super League returns this week which can only mean one thing... BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast is back.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines are joined by West Ham captain Katrina Gorry, who gives an open and honest reflection on challenges she has faced on and off the field, including struggling with her mental health.

Ellen and Jen give their views on moments that could define the WSL season. Plus the team chat the WSL hall of fame latest inductees: Steph Houghton, Alex Scott, Gilly Flaherty. and Rebecca Welch.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Former Arsenal defender Alex Scott said being inducted into the Barclays Women's Super League Hall of Fame was a full circle moment.

The 40-year-old's induction was celebrated on Monday evening alongside fellow inductees Steph Houghton, Gilly Flaherty and Rebecca Welch.

"It's a very proud moment," Scott told BBC Sport. "So many people have seen what I have managed to achieve in my broadcasting career which is incredible, but this just brings it all back to what I managed to do as a football player.

"The reason I am doing what I am doing now is because of what I managed to achieve then. It's a time for celebration for that part of my career."

The Gunners legend won 21 trophies during 12 years at the club and when asked what her favourite memory as a player was, Scott said: "With Arsenal I managed to win quite a few trophies. The 2007 quadruple-winning season has gone down in history because no team has managed to do that [since].

"Wining the FA Cup final and playing at Wembley in my club colours, I had managed to play there for England and Team GB, but finally getting that moment in an Arsenal top closed the chapter for me. I managed to achieve everything I thought I ever could and then it was time to move into broadcasting."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City forward Poppy Pritchard has returned from her loan spell at Crystal Palace.

The 19-year-old England youth international made five appearances for Palace in all competitions after joining them in September.

Pritchard is yet to play for Manchester City after signing a three-and-a-half-year deal in January 2024.

She came through Durham's academy and made 22 appearances for the Women's Championship club prior to signing her first professional contract at City.

Image source, Getty Images

Goalkeeper Anna Leat has left Aston Villa by mutual consent.

The New Zealand international joined the Women's Super League Club in the summer of 2022 and made 22 appearances in all competitions.

A statement from Villa read: "After Leat expressed her desire to be closer to her family in New Zealand, the club wished not to stand in her way.

"We would like to thank Anna for her time at the club and we wish her all the best for the future."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

London City Lionesses are hoping to sign Arsenal academy graduate Freya Godfrey on loan for the remainder of the season.

The Women's Championship side have a full squad so there would need to be a departure to make room for Godfrey's arrival.

The 19-year-old forward has two appearances for Arsenal's first team after making her debut in May 2023.

She signed her first professional contract with Arsenal a month later, before joining Charlton Athletic on loan for the 2023-24 season.

It is expected several young players at Arsenal will seek loan moves for the second half of the season with senior defender Amanda Ilestedt and midfielder Victoria Pelova nearing returns.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United returned from the winter break in style with a 7-0 win over West Brom in the Women's FA Cup, but one of the highlights of the evening was Ella Toone's comeback goal.

England international Toone came off the bench to make her first appearance since November after being sidelined with a calf injury.

Her goal was the pick of the bunch at Leigh Sports Village, with her long-range effort going in off the crossbar.

"I think in the first half of the season I had a lot going on and it probably affected me more than I realised when I was out on the pitch," Toone told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I think that injury was a bit of a blessing in disguise not only to come back stronger but fitter and mentally better as well.

"I definitely used the time well and I've missed playing, I've missed being out on the pitch, I've missed being around the girls. To come back tonight, get my first minutes, get on the scoresheet and just to be involved with a good performance feels nice. Hopefully I can continue growing."

Toone's goal was her first this season and her first since scoring at Wembley in last season's FA Cup final.

It was also her first goal since her dad passed away in September and Toone pointed to the sky when celebrating.

"It meant a lot," she added. "Not just for me but the girls as well. They've been on this journey with me. I think a lot of hard work has gone into getting me back on the pitch and feeling physically better but also mentally better.

"I feel like I'm in a good headspace at the minute. Obviously some days are a lot tougher and that's just grief.

"I'm learning to deal with that but to be back out onto the pitch tonight, it's where I love, it's my happy place."

Image source, Getty Images

Renee Slegers said she wants the "right person" to get the Arsenal manager's job.

Slegers is unbeaten in 10 games since taking charge of the team on an interim basis after Jonas Eidevall's departure, winning nine and drawing one.

Asked whether there is any update on the situation and whether she could land the role permanently, Slegers said: "The club is in a process and very detailed about it. We trust them. They are very keen to make a very good decision.

"I am putting the focus back onto the team. That is what made us so strong over the last couple of months, how the team is stepping up.

"There is a direction that the club wants to go in. We want the players to be in good hands, we want the right person for the club and the players to drive us forward. I am happy with what we achieved so far but the collective responsibility has been key to our success."

Emily Herbert
BBC Radio London

Image source, Getty Images

Sonia Bompastor's Chelsea squad has been boosted by the return of Lauren James, who impressed during the team's recent training camp in Portugal.

James had not featured since October but has recovered from a calf injury over the winter break.

"LJ is a player with a lot of quality and talent," Bompastor said. "In possession of the ball, she is one of the best in the world.

"She is dying to get back out there. She loves football, and when she's not on the pitch, she's sad. It's been a long journey for her, but she's had the right mentality throughout."

Bompastor also hinted that potential contracts could be extended, prioritising retaining key players during the January transfer window over bringing in new players.

"It's really important when we talk about the transfer window that we keep the best players in the squad," she said. "Maybe in a few weeks, we'll see some of those contracts extended."

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Gareth Taylor has backed his players to recover from their "blip" before the winter break and put together a run of winning results in the second half of the campaign.

City were beaten in back-to-back games before the break, losing to Barcelona in the Champions League and Everton in the WSL.

"The reviewing of the first part of the season was good," Taylor said. "We were frustrated with the blip against Everton but that can happen. We were really struggling with the key players we lost in the team.

"The memory [of those defeats] is still there for sure, the players will have it in their minds and I will for sure. It was a positive first half of the season. Now we need to try and become strong again.

"This group of players tend to go on a good run is the second half of the season. We know we are capable of that and we are going to have to do that."

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool boss Matt Beard is feeling optimistic about a positive second half to the season after a disappointing opening run.

The Reds have struggled with a number of injuries to key players and sit eighth in the Women's Super League with nine points from their opening 10 games.

"We reviewed the first half of the season and we know it's not been to the standards we set ourselves," Beard said.

"We have set ourselves some lofty targets collectively and whenever we have done that the players have delivered. The break came at the right time and we are looking positive and looking forward to the second part of the season."

Liverpool have signed Bayern Munich's Sam Kerr and Chelsea's Julia Bartel on loan and Beard is looking forward to having midfield options and competition within the squad.

"At times we have only had two fit midfield players," he said. "It was an area we needed to address because it creates competition. You want that competition for places because complacency can't set in. If you don't perform then someone else will and they will take your shirt.

"This is the first time this season that I have had 20 outfield players training. It has been great, it has been refreshing."

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Everton boss Brian Sorensen said his first impressions of the Friedkin Group have been "extremely happy and positive" since their takeover of the club.

Sorensen met with executive chairman Marc Watts before Christmas and is due to speak with the new owners again next week.

The Toffees have had a busy start to the transfer window, signing France forward Kelly Gago from Nantes and Wales international Hayley Ladd from Manchester United on permanent deals.

The club have also brought in Barcelona defender Martina Fernandez and Manchester United midfielder Emma Watson on loan until the end of the season.

"I had a good meeting with them," Sorensen said. "They were very supportive in terms of the women's side and you can see that with the signings we already made.

"Doing a loan from Barcelona is not something you do over a couple of days. It takes a bit of time to convince the player and agent that this is a good place to come.

"Kelly we wanted for a while now. We could see that Hayley was lacking minutes at United and that is a conversation we had for a while, same with Emma.

"Those targets were identified and it just needed the ownership to come through so we could push the button and they signed the plan off.

"I am looking forward to meeting them again to understand more in depth what the strategy looks like and where we are going but what I can say is the first meeting was extremely happy and positive."

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner said the club should build their future team around Grace Clinton after the midfielder signed a one-year contract extension.

The England international joined United from Everton in 2022, but did not make her competitive debut until this season.

She is United's joint-top goalscorer in the Women's Super League this season with four goals, alongside Elisabeth Terland.

"Grace has been fantastic this year," Skinner said. "She is a fantastic product of the loan system. It was Bristol [City] for six months and then she went away to Tottenham and has come back in fantastic form.

"The way we have gone around the transfer market is to go into a younger model with talented players that we can grow. Grace fits that fantastically. Grace is a player that we should be building this future team around."

Clinton's contract was due to run out at the end of this season and Skinner said he hopes the club eventually tie her down on a longer contract.

"I know the club will be meeting grace and her representatives to discuss that and what terms look like.

"I don't have any say in that, but of course that is something I'd love us to push and I'd love Grace to stay here for a long time. I am absolutely certain those conversations will be taking place."

Image source, West Ham United

West Ham defender Amber Tysiak has signed a new contract with the club which runs until the summer of 2028.

The 24-year-old Belgium international has made 33 appearances for the Hammers since joining from Oud-Heverlee Leuven in January 2023.

"I'm very excited to sign a new contract here," Tysiak said.

"I've grown a lot as a player and as a person since joining West Ham. I want to keep progressing both on and off the pitch, and to challenge myself in the best league in the world.

"West Ham feels like a home away from home for me, and I'm already looking forward to continuing my chapter with this special club."

Image source, West Ham United

West Ham defender Anouk Denton has signed a new contract with the club, running until the summer of 2028.

The 21-year-old full-back has made 40 appearances for the Hammers since signing permanently from Arsenal in 2023.

"It feels amazing to have signed a new contract at West Ham," Denton said.

"I have loved my time at the club so far. I feel like I have matured and developed over the last couple of years and feel really settled here.

"I'm grateful to the club for the belief and support they have shown me. I'm loving my football and playing alongside this group of girls, and I'm excited for what's to come moving forwards."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's Women's Super League game against north London rivals Tottenham will be broadcast live on the BBC.

The match at Emirates Stadium takes place on Sunday 16 Febrary, with kick-off at 12:30 GMT.

The Gunners won the reverse fixture 3-0 in November.