Arsenal Women have emerged as the leading contenders to secure a major summer signing, with England international Georgia Stanway set to become a free agent.
Midfielder Set for Bayern Munich Departure
The move comes after Bayern Munich officially confirmed that the 27-year-old Lioness will leave the German club when her contract expires at the end of the current season. Stanway joined Bayern in the summer of 2022 and has been a pivotal figure in their success, helping them win three consecutive Frauen Bundesliga titles.
Bayern's director of women's football, Bianca Rech, expressed gratitude for Stanway's contribution, stating: "As the first English player at FC Bayern Women, Georgia Stanway not only made history but also stole our hearts. We talked a lot and openly about her future, and when she told us that she now wanted to try something new, her reasons were completely understandable."
Arsenal at the Front of the Queue
According to sources close to the situation, Arsenal are understood to be at the head of a pack of clubs interested in acquiring the world-class midfielder on a free transfer. The north London side, managed by Renée Slegers, have reportedly tracked Stanway's progress closely and are eager to bolster their squad with her quality and experience as they aim to end their Women's Super League title drought.
Stanway herself posted a heartfelt message on social media, confirming her departure and vowing to give her all until the final day. "I will give everything for the club and its sporting success until my very last day, just as I have for the past three and a half years," she wrote. "And I want to say goodbye to the club and the fans at the end of the season with as many titles as possible."
Her credentials are impeccable, having been instrumental in England's back-to-back European Championship victories, cementing her status as one of the game's elite players.
Aston Villa Agree Club-Record Deal
In another significant piece of WSL transfer business, Aston Villa are poised to complete the signing of French midfielder Oriane Jean-François from Chelsea. The deal, understood to be worth £450,000, represents a club-record fee for a sale by the London side.
The 24-year-old, who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain before joining Chelsea in 2024, is expected to finalise her move to Villa in the coming days. This signals ambitious intent from the Midlands club as they look to strengthen their squad for future campaigns.
The upcoming transfer window is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the Women's Super League, with high-profile moves like Stanway's potential switch to Arsenal highlighting the growing allure and competitive nature of the English top flight.
