Summer transfer window: Grading big signings in women's soccer - ESPN

The women's world transfer record was broken four times in 2025: three times by clubs in the WSL (Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave to Chelsea in January; Olivia Smith from Liverpool to Arsenal in the summer; then Grace Geyoro from PSG to London City Lionesses). So will there be more of the same this year?

The WSL summer window opened on June 18, with the rest of Europe doing so on July 1.

Here are grades for all the major transfers in the European women's game, with each listed in order of date and then highest fee.

All fees are reported unless confirmed with an asterisk.

Man City: A-
Barcelona: A-

Manchester City have had a quiet summer after their title-winning exploits last season and while the addition of Beth Mead fills the spot left by Kerolin, it reduces City's threat in transition given the different profiles of the two players.

Indeed, the 26-year-old Brazil international was only behind Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema for goal contributions at City last season, and will be missed. However, the huge fee puts City in an excellent spot to add depth ahead of a potentially grueling season. With the outflow of talent at Barcelona this summer, an attacking reinforcement is welcome.

Kerolin will add another dimension to Pere Romeu's calculated and methodical attack, providing a direct threat, strong dribbling and a one-vs.-one ability that no other Barcelona forwards offer.

She knows Liga F after having her breakout season at Madrid CFF five years ago, but it's unclear how consistent she will be at Barcelona, which gives the edge on the grade to City at this time. — YT

Barcelona: A-
Chelsea: A-

Sometimes, clubs just can't find a way to make players fit, no matter how talented they are. And that's what happened with