The English women’s transfer window opens on June 24th, and Arsenal Women are already making moves.
With Vivianne Miedema, Sabrina D’Angelo, and Kaylan Marckese leaving the club, the Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad with fresh talent. Goalkeeper Daphne von Domselaar, Barcelona winger Mariona Caldentey, and young prospects Rosemonde Kouassi and Olivia Smith are all linked with a move to North London.
With the English women’s transfer window opening on 24 June, let’s have look at the potential ins and out at the club
- Definitely out: Vivianne Miedema, Sabrina D’Angelo, Kaylan Marckese
All three players have been released at the end of their contract. The biggest noise being made about Miedema’s departure, due to her world class past performances and being a club legend.
As the club is said to be looking to the future, they decided to let her go. While the decision is a normal one made by all football clubs every day, the fact that there has been no explanation or transparency on her non-renewal is clearly bad optics.
The player should have commanded more respect from the club, and the silence just fuels the conspiracy theories and the anger towards the Arsenal manager who is only one of the people responsible for the club’s policies.
- Players who could potentially leave: Gio Queiroz, Lina Hurtig
I think the writing is on the wall for those two players. Gio Queiroz has not shown much while she was at the club and was sent on loan multiple times. You have to say the scouting team probably got it wrong betting on her potential. Of course, she could have improved enough in the last six months, but she would have to compete with Beth Mead and Cloé Lacasse for game time on the right wing.
Lina Hurtig had a back injury and also has personal problems as disclosed in one of the manager’s press conferences. Therefore, she is unlikely to be available next season and will probably be replaced.
And thatmakes sense when you see the players linked to the club.
- Players linked to the club: – Daphne Von Domselaar (Aston Villa), Mariona Caldentey (Barcelona), Rosemonde Kouassi (FC Fleury), Olivia Smith (Sporting Portugal)
As reported by @Stillmanator I believe Arsenal are targeting Barcelona forward Mariona Caldentey as a potential Vivianne Miedema replacement. Villa GK Daphne van Domselaar still on their list. They also spoke with Fran Kirby's reps but won't make a move.https://t.co/AYDYMhcRTI
— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) May 13, 2024
With two goalkeepers departing the team, it makes sense to think that a new goalkeeper will arrive. The club had to take a stand-in goalie on the Australia tour with Sarah Bouhaddi coming in and Naomi Williams, our young third goalkeeper, getting her debut as well.
The Netherlands goalkeeper, who has been excellent since she became a starter for her national team, moved last summer to Aston Villa. Her club did not have the best of seasons, but she is a top quality goalkeeper who will provide competition to Manuela Zinsberger.
With the problems on the left wing that led to Caitlin Foord playing too many games, while Cloé Lacasse should have got much more game time to cover her, it is not surprising that Arsenal have been linked to Champions League 23/24 winger with Barcelona Mariona Caldentey. She is clearly not a classic winger, stuck on the touchline, as she can roam all over the pitch in attacking positions. A top player who would certainly bring quality in pass and move play as well as off the ball.
The club has also been linked to two younger wingers Rosemonde Kouassi from FC Fleury and Olivia Smith from Sporting Portugal. There is no doubt that those two players are on the club’s scouting list, but they are clearly not at the same development stage as Caldentey, a current Champions League holder.
According to L’Équipe, Rosemonde Kouassi has the choice. What should she do? 🤔#rosemondekouassi #arsenal #chelsea #nwsl #psg #ol pic.twitter.com/6CUtLfRQuO
— Soccerdonna (@soccerdonna) March 16, 2024
According to @zerozeropt , Arsenal FC are interested in signing Olivia Smith from Sporting Clube de Portugal.
It appears hers transfer clause of €250K has been met by the WSL club.#BarclaysWSL #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/azCw2z2TL8— Soccerdonna (@soccerdonna) May 23, 2024
FWIW, I spoke to several sources about the link made in Portugal between Olivia Smith and Arsenal and couldn’t find anybody who had heard anything about it. https://t.co/RTlSUvIkAm
— Tim Stillman (@Stillmanator) May 25, 2024
Returns from loan and dual signing – Michelle Agyemang (Watford), Freya Godfrey (Charlton), Gio Queiroz (Madrid CFF), Kathrine Kuhl (Everton), Ruby Doe (Ipswich), Laila Harbert (Watford)
The big question for the returning youngsters like Reid, Harbert, Agyemang and Godfrey is where will they go on loan next season. In terms of development they are better off playing in the WSL and getting minutes rather than being on the bench for the Arsenal, coming on as a sub once in a while. They had a taste of first team football in Australia, and at the end of the season for Agyemang, and they know there is a lot of work needed before they are able to compete for a first team place.
Kuhl is a full international with Denmark and I am sure she will get more time next season, although it might be out of position as seen in the Australia friendly.
During the pre-game press conference in Australia, Jonas Eidevall was clear that the club was looking for quality over quantity, so we might not see more than two to four signings overall.
It will certainly depend on who else will leave the club during the summer.