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Emily Keogh
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Emily Keogh
Correspondent
- Emily Keogh, based in London, serves as ESPN’s women’s soccer correspondent, focusing on the WSL and UWCL.
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Beth Lindop
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Beth Lindop
Correspondent
- Beth Lindop is ESPN’s Liverpool correspondent based in Liverpool, covering both the WSL and UWCL.
The world record for women’s transfers was broken four times in 2025, with three of these occurring in the WSL (Naomi Girma moving from San Diego Wave to Chelsea; Olivia Smith from Liverpool to Arsenal; and Grace Geyoro from PSG to London City Lionesses). Multiple significant deals occurred right at the transfer deadline.
Will January maintain this trend? Below are grades for key transfers in European women’s soccer, arranged chronologically and by transfer fee.
All fees are reported unless noted otherwise with an asterisk.
Jan. 2
Signe Gaupset
€430,000 (£378,000, $500,000)
SK Brann: B+
Tottenham: A
SK Brann faces a significant loss with the departure of Gaupset, yet recovering a substantial transfer fee will enable the Norwegian club to reinvest in its roster effectively for future growth. Tottenham’s decision to set a new transfer record for Gaupset underscores their ambitious plan moving forward. Having already played under coach Martin Ho at Brann, the 20-year-old adds valuable skill to Spurs’ midfield, boasting an impressive 15 goals and 14 assists over 26 appearances last season in Norway. — BL
Lea Schüller
Undisclosed
Bayern Munich: B
Manchester United: A
Bayern Munich’s emotional farewell to Schüller illustrates her lasting impact at the club. Although her departure is significant, Bayern has secured a transfer fee before her contract was set to expire this summer. For Manchester United, who have struggled with squad depth, acquiring a player of Schüller’s caliber is vital as they aim for Champions League qualification again this season. The 28-year-old’s record of 54 goals in 82 matches for Germany is a valuable boost to United’s offense after a challenging start to their campaign. — BL
Hanna Lundkvist
Free
San Diego Wave: B-
Manchester United: B+
Although Lundkvist has been a solid performer for San Diego, making 26 appearances and contributing to their sixth-place finish in the NWSL, her transition on a free transfer is disappointing. However, her move aligns with her wish to return to Europe. For United, head coach Marc Skinner aims for an “aggressive” transfer window, and signing Lundkvist represents a smart start. The Swedish international brings considerable quality and international experience to Manchester. — BL