Women's Super League

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Laura Kaminski says there are "really positive signs" that her newly promoted Crystal Palace side can go toe-to-toe against Women's Super League mainstay teams like Tottenham.

Palace fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat by Spurs on Sunday after Olivia Holdt scored a 95th-minute winner for the visitors.

Kaminski said she was "bitterly disappointed" with the result that leaves the club bottom of the WSL, four points adrift of safety.

"There's no doubt about it, I was gutted for the group," Kaminski said.

"I thought their second-half performance showed everything. It showed character, grit, determination."

However, the Palace boss added that there were "so many positives" to take from the game.

"It's points that we're after. We know that, you know there's no there's no denying that," she said ahead of Sunday's trip to Brighton (14:00 GMT kick-off).

"But for me, for a newly promoted side to go toe-to-toe with a side that's pushing top half of the table and have been in there for several years, that shows some really positive signs for us and some really good quality in our squad, and most of all - great character."

Here are more key lines from Kaminski's news conference:

• "I'm making no comment at this moment in time," Kaminski said when asked about any potential deadline signings or departures.

• Palace are "really happy" with their two new signings - Ria Oling and Clarissa Larisey.

• Kaminski said the pair have been "refreshing" and helped add competition to the squad.

• On Chelsea attracting big signings like Naomi Girma, the Palace manager said she "expects nothing less" than the WSL to attract top talent.

• Kaminski said Palace "control our own luck and destiny" in the relegation battle.

• She said the "trophy" to stay in the WSL would be just as big as trophy that secured their promotion from the Championship last season.

The transfer deadline is fast approaching and Women's Super League clubs have got until 23:00 GMT on Thursday to get any last-minute deals over the line.

Here's a rundown of every team's confirmed "ins" and "outs" so far following the moves we've had today.

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City manager Amandine Miquel has praised the club for being "efficient" in the winter transfer window.

The Foxes have made just one permanent signing so far, with Wales international Olivia Clark brought in to replace goalkeeper Lize Kop, who joined Tottenham.

However, the club are set to sign striker Hlin Eiriksdottir from Swedish side Kristianstads on deadline day.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's trip to Everton (14:00 GMT kick-off), Miquel said "anything could happen" before Thursday's 23:00 GMT cut-off time.

"I think we have been efficient, we did what we needed to do. We looked at everything that was happening and it's a good window," Miquel added.

"We will stay active until the last second, like any game."

The Leicester boss refused to confirm or deny Eiriksdottir's signing.

Here are more key lines from Miquel's news conference:

• There is a "possibility" Lena Petermann could be available for selection soon.

• Shannon O'Brien is "a player with a lot of potential" but the club are "taking their time" as she continues her return from knee surgery.

• Miquel feels performances have been "going much better" since December.

• Leicester are aiming for 30 points from their remaining 10 fixtures, with Miquel adding: "If it's less it's less, but we are not picking games, we are just going for every game".

• She hopes Emilia Pelgander can "enjoy life and football" during her loan spell at FC Rosengard.

• The Leicester boss said it is "not ideal" that Chelsea appear to have "no limits" in attracting big signings like Naomi Girma.

Image source, Getty Images

England forward Chloe Kelly "needs to play football", according to her former international team-mate Ellen White.

On Wednesday evening the Manchester City player wrote on Instagram that she wants "to be happy again" and has accepted her future is not with her current club.

The 27-year-old has started only one Women's Super League game for City this season.

Speaking on the Women's Football Weekly Podcast, White said: "It's disappointing for her if she has got this ankle injury that's keeping her out, she needs minutes.

"Chloe Kelly is very very talented. For me it was like a joy when I was at Man City to have Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly on either side.

"She needs to play football and she needs to play in the Euros. That's a priority. To do that she needs to be playing football and I don't know if she's guaranteed to get into that starting XI [at Manchester City] because that hasn't happened this season.

"There are some very good players in those wide positions for Man City so does she go on loan somewhere, I don't know.

"I think if she does go on loan it gives her a great opportunity to go to the Euros this summer."

Listen to the full episode here

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City are set to sign striker Hlin Eiriksdottir from Swedish side Kristianstads.

The 24-year-old was Kristianstads's top scorer in the Damallsvenskan last season with 15 goals in 25 matches.

Eiriksdottir has made 35 appearances and scored six goals for Iceland since making her senior debut in 2018.

It would be Leicester's second signing of the winter transfer window after they brought in Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark to replace Lize Kop, who left to join Tottenham.

Amandine Miquel's side are currently 11th in the Women's Super League, four points above bottom-placed Crystal Palace.

Eiriksdottir's arrival would be seen as a big boost to Leicester, who have struggled with injuries to their attacking players this season.

French striker Noemie Mouchon was ruled out for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign after she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in October.

The club's top two scorers from last season - Jutta Rantala and Lena Petermann - also remain sidelined because of injury, having not featured since October and November respectively.

English forward Shannon O'Brien made her first WSL start this season in the Foxes' win over Liverpool on Sunday after undergoing surgery last year.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

England forward Chloe Kelly has made it known that she wants to leave Manchester City this month but faces a race against time to agree a move.

The 27-year-old has been frustrated by a lack of game time this season and has not featured for City in January with speculation increasing.

There have been reports linking her with a loan move to Manchester United, which they claim is Kelly's preferred choice.

However, we do not know if United have made an offer.

It is believed Brighton made an enquiry earlier this month but nothing transpired.

Clubs have until 23:00 GMT on Thursday to agree transfers and Kelly hopes to secure a move in order to keep her place in England's squad for Euro 2025.

Image source, Birmingham City

Birmingham City have signed West Ham defender Shannon Cooke on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

The 24-year-old joined the Hammers on deadline day in January 2023 but has made just three starts in the Women's Super League this season.

Birmingham currently sit top of the Women's Championship, level on points with Bristol City.

"I think it's clear to see all of the work that's going into the club to help them progress and be successful and I'm really excited to be a part of that," said Cooke after signing for the Blues.

The transfer deadline is fast approaching and Women's Super League clubs have got until 23:00 GMT on Thursday to get any last-minute deals over the line.

Here's a rundown of every team's "ins" and "outs" so far, and we'll be updating it as we follow all the moves on deadline day.

Image source, BBC Sport

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Paris St-Germain are in talks over a potential move for United States international Crystal Dunn.

NJ/NY Gotham FC announced on Tuesday that the club had "mutually agreed to part ways as Dunn pursues a new opportunity".

The 32-year-old defender joined the National Women's Soccer League side in December 2023 and made 32 appearances in all competitions.

"I can't even find the words to express how incredibly sad I am," Dunn wrote on Instagram after her departure was announced.

"As I turn the page and prepare for a new chapter, I am filled with excitement for what lies ahead.

"The journey continues and I am committed to reaching new heights and pushing myself to be the absolute best version of who I am."

Dunn won the Women's World Cup with the United States in 2019, while she was also part of Emma Hayes' squad that claimed Olympic gold in Paris last summer.

PSG are third in the Premiere Ligue, eight points off leaders and reigning champions Lyon.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The biggest move on deadline day could involve England international Keira Walsh, who Chelsea are hopeful of bringing in before 23:00 GMT.

Chelsea's interest in Walsh has been long-standing and the club have been looking to bolster their midfield options since the summer.

The 27-year-old told Barcelona in September that she did not wish to extend her contract and is keen for a move back to England to be close to family.

Her current deal is due to expire in six months and Barcelona, who signed her for a then-world record fee of £400,000 in 2022, would lose her on a free this summer.

Arsenal have maintained their interest but Walsh's preference has always appeared to lean towards Chelsea.

The Women's Super League leaders have already broken the world record transfer fee this summer, signing USA defender Naomo Girma on a deal until 2029.

Barcelona have told clubs they are unwilling to sell but if Chelsea match their asking price, they might have to accept defeat with Walsh pushing for a move.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

After last night, it is set to be an explosive transfer window deadline day in the Women's Super League.

Chelsea are hopeful of wrapping up a late move for England international Keira Walsh but we are waiting to see if Barcelona will agree to a deal.

England team-mate Chloe Kelly is pushing for a move away from Manchester City and released a statement last night to argue her case.

Arsenal are set to sign USA defender Jenna Nighswonger from Gotham FC for what we believe is an £80,500 fee.

Crystal Palace are also hoping to bring at least one more player in before the 23:00 GMT deadline.

It is worth keeping an eye on Liverpool, who may get one more signing over the line to add to their squad but it could be tight.

A number of other WSL clubs are keeping their options open, including Brighton, Aston Villa and Leicester City.

Image source, Getty Images

Chloe Kelly said she has accepted that her future no longer lies with Manchester City and has released a statement asking to leave the club.

The forward said on Instagram, external that her situation is "disappointing and not right" as she pushes for a move before Thursday's 23:00 GMT transfer deadline.

It's understood Manchester City are open to allowing Chloe to leave and that the England forward is considering an offer from another club.

Here is the statement in full.

"For a long time I've tried to work through professional challenges privately, not commenting publicly, but with my situation increasingly being debated in the public domain I feel it's time to be open and transparent and you heard it from my perspective.

"A key lesson I have learned in my life is that whilst I can't control someone's negative behaviour towards me, I can control how long I am prepared to tolerate it.

"From day one, I've felt so much love from my teammates and the fans. With my contract expiring in June I've accepted my future is not at this club beyond then.

"With the Euros fast approaching, this summer is a huge one and I want to be in a position to give it my best shot to represent my country. Something which has always filled me with such pride and it is a true honour to do so. However, to be dictated whom I can and can't join with only four months left of the football season is having a huge impact on not only my career by my mental wellbeing. The situation has been dragged on for too long, it's disappointing and not right.

"I'm at a pivotal point in my life and my career is so important to me and is very disappointing that the sport we love can make you feel this way especially after there's been so much growth in our sport. This is why I'm posting this because I want to make you all aware that we as players dedicate our lives to our sport and our clubs but our dreams can be crushed whilst we live in silence.

"I am human and I have and will give everything to the game that I love. Ultimately I just want to be happy again."

Image source, Getty Images

Defender Lily Woodham's loan at Crystal Palace has been extended until the end of season.

The 24-year-old Wales international has made 11 appearances for the Women's Super League club since arriving in September from Seattle Reign.

She will remain at the club until 30 June 2025.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham defender Shannon Cooke is in discussions over a potential loan move to Birmingham City before Thursday's transfer window deadline.

The 24-year-old is hoping for more regular game time at the Women's Championship side in the second half of the season.

Cooke joined West Ham on deadline day in January 2023 but has made just three starts in the Women's Super League this season.

Birmingham City currently sit top of the Women's Championship, level on points with Bristol City.

Image source, Getty Images

Robert Vilahamn says he "loves" being head coach at Tottenham because of the collaboration between the men's and women's teams which makes it feel like one club, rather than two.

The 42-year-old Swede says he is able to make use of resources on the men's side, such as recruitment and how they scout the best players using data.

"That's great knowledge to bring to the women's game," he tells BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast. "That collaboration is amazing.

"You don't feel like you're one club and two teams, you feel like you are one club and you have different areas within that club and that's why I love to work here."

Vilahamn says he has regular contact with Ange Postecoglou, who manages the men's side.

"Me and Ange meet basically every month to speak about football," he says. "We don't play exactly the same style but we play with a certain identity and we play with a certain style of bravery and attacking style.

"When you do that it's also really nice to feel like you're part of something bigger than just your team. Tottenham want to have that approach and that makes it really fun to be here.

"It's not like I'm sitting there and he's just telling me what to do, we actually have a decent conversation.

"To have that, [so] emotionally that you feel connected to the whole club, that's brilliant."

The latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly is now available on BBC Sounds.

In this week's podcast, Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines talk the record signing of US defender Naomi Girma who has joined Chelsea from San Diego Wave for £900,000.

Is there any stopping Chelsea who go seven points clear at the top of the table and what does this mean for the rest of the WSL?

Ben also caught up with Spurs boss Robert Vilahamn who gave an insight into recruitment and how he would like to see more female coaches coming through.

Listen to the latest episode.