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; Olivia Smith from Liverpool to Arsenal; Grace Geyoro from PSG to London City Lionesses) -- and several big deals went down to the wire on deadline day.
January did not really follow the same pattern. 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.
Jan. 29
Tuva Hansen
Undisclosed
Bayern Munich: B
West Ham: A-
West Ham are overdue some experience and depth and Hansen brings both. The Norway international probably didn't get the amount of gametime at Bayern she would have hoped for, and therefore isn't much of a loss for the German side.
A move to West Ham provides the opportunity to increase her minutes while helping the struggling London team. -- EK
Jan. 19
Delphine Cascarino
Free
San Diego Wave: C-
London City Lionesses: B+
Cascarino was a key figure for San Diego, with five goals and six assists last season. Losing her will be a big loss for the NWSL team, and without a fee to bring a replacement in, the Wave have not had the best start to the January transfer window.
It is a good grab for London City knowing the France international's attacking prowess, but without a clear strategy or gameplan -- the team sacked former manager Jocelyn Precheur before the winter break and only recently brought in Eder Maestre -- it may take some time for Cascarino and the side to find a rhythm. They have ambitious hopes to finish in the top half of the table and she could be key. -- EK
Jan. 17
Denise O'Sullivan
Loan
NC Courage: B-
Liverpool: A+
Amid a lack of squad depth and a poor start to the season where they have failed to win a WSL game, Liverpool have done well to add some leadership to their squad. O'Sullivan, 31, has over 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland and has played across North America, England and Australia. The former NC Courage captain said she wanted to be closer to home and is keen for a new challenge, and she'll certainly get that!
It gives the NWSL side the ability to change things up after nearly a decade with O'Sullivan in their midfield -- where she won three NWSL Shields, two NWSL Championships and two Challenge Cups -- but she will be a big loss. -- EK
Jan. 16
Ellen Wangerheim
Undisclosed
Hammarby: C-
Manchester United: B+
With Sweden now acting as a feeder league for larger, more-established leagues across Europe and North America, Hammarby have lost yet another promising young talent as the conveyor belt of exits continues. It is a disappointing loss, but an all-too-familiar situation for the Swedish club.
Wangerheim had drawn attention from numerous clubs across the WSL, but United won the race to sign the 21-year-old forward. But with the addition of Lea Schuller and forward Elisabeth Terland already in the ranks, keeping all three happy and in form will be a tough task for manager Marc Skinner, who has struggled to rotate his side effectively. It is a great addition to the attack, but United's defense is still dangerously thin. -- EK
Martha Thomas
Loan
Tottenham: A
Liverpool: A-
As Martin Ho continues his revamp of his Spurs squad, Thomas, who failed to make much impact -- with only 13 goals in 66 games, and 10 coming in her debut season after moving from United in 2023 -- has moved out on loan.
It's a good move for Spurs as the team continue to build a squad that could contend for the title next season and a positive move for Thomas, who may get some more joy at Liverpool. The Reds are a team in desperate need of depth ahead of the second half of the season, as they are yet to win a WSL game. -- EK
Jan. 14
Sam Coffey
£650,000 ($875,000)
Portland Thorns: C
Manchester City: A
With the USWNT midfielder expressing a desire to try something new and experience European football, it was going to take a lot for Thorns to hold on to her. And they failed, with City showing interest in her for over a year before finally agreeing a 3½ deal. For the Thorns, losing their captain is not great business, and with the current economic shifts, it is unlikely she will be the last top USWNT talent to depart in pursuit of the dream of playing in the Champions League.
Coffey is composed and versatile in midfield, and that is exactly the profile City wanted to bolster their options and, crucially, provide rotation for their most relied-on player, Yui Hasegawa. She will be a welcome addition at City as the club continue to pursue their first league title in a decade. -- EK
Geyse
Undisclosed
Manchester United: A
Club America: A-
Having left on loan to Gotham FC last year, Geyse has now permanently departed Manchester United. Having not played a role in the team since, it was hard to see the Brazil forward ever returning to the club, making a move inevitable. She only made 39 appearances in 18 months with the club before heading out on loan in March. She had a more positive stint in North America, winning the NWSL Championship and CONCACAF W Champions Cup.
The Liga MX team are getting a versatile forward who has less to prove than her last move, but is in flying form compared to where she was this time last year. -- EK
Jan. 13
Oriane Jean-Francoise
£450,000 ($525,000)
Chelsea: A
Aston Villa: A
It is impressive business from Chelsea to negotiate such a fee as Jean-Françoise struggled to establish herself at Chelsea, making just five WSL appearances this season with only one from the start, and was clearly not part of the club's long-term plans. With Lexi Potter viewed as the long-term future and midfield changes looming -- Keira Walsh's injury and a potential exit for Sjoeke Nusken in the summer -- Chelsea moved decisively to promote Potter, leading to Jean-Françoise's departure.
Villa gain a calm, composed midfielder likely to play a key role in the second half of the season, making it a positive move for all parties. -- EK
Jan. 5
Smilla Holmberg
Undisclosed
Hammarby: B-
Arsenal: B+
For Hammarby, it is a blow to be losing another talented young full back, though it aligns with the club's long-term model of developing and transferring talent.
For Arsenal, the 18-year-old is not someone who improves their starting XI but will provide first-choice right back Emily Fox with competition and add squad depth ahead of a busy second half of the campaign. -- BL
Julie Blakstad
Free
Hammerby: C
Tottenham: A
Blakstad has arguably just enjoyed her best season to date with Hammarby, providing 21 goal involvements (15 goals and six assists) in 26 games, and so her departure will be a huge blow for the Norwegian club.
For Tottenham, however, the 24-year-old is yet another quality addition to bolster their increasingly impressive squad. Blakstad already has WSL experience, having previously spent time at Manchester City, and will bring plenty of attacking intent from the full-back position. -- BL
Jan. 4
Maika Hamano
Loan
Chelsea: B
Tottenham: A
Hamano's game time at Chelsea this season has been limited, so this transfer looks like it could be beneficial for all parties. At only 21, the Japan international has already made 45 appearances for Chelsea and is capable of playing in a number of positions across midfield and the forward line.
She was a valuable squad member as Chelsea won the WSL title last season and brings Tottenham plenty of quality as they continue to assemble an exciting squad for the second half of the campaign. -- BL
Jan. 2
Signe Gaupset
€430,000 (£378,000, $500,000)
SK Brann: B+
Tottenham: A
Losing a player of Gaupset's quality is undoubtedly a blow for the Norwegian club. However, being able to recoup a significant transfer fee will allow for wider investment in their squad which could prove beneficial in the long term.
Tottenham have been the WSL's surprise package this season and their decision to break their transfer record for Gaupset is reflective of their ambition going forward. The 20-year-old has already worked under head coach Martin Ho at Brann and will add plenty of skill and ingenuity to Spurs' midfield, having registered 15 goals and 14 assists in 26 appearances in Norway last term. -- BL
Lea Schüller
Undisclosed
Bayern Munich: B
Manchester United: A
The heartfelt statement from Bayern confirming Schüller's departure is reflective of the high regard the player is still held in in Munich. Losing someone of her pedigree is a blow but, having enjoyed the striker's talents for more than five years, the German club will at least be grateful to have secured a transfer fee ahead of her contract expiring in the summer.
United's biggest problem this season has been a lack of squad depth and so boosting their forward line with a player of Schüller's quality is exactly what they needed as they bid to secure Champions League qualification again this term. The 28-year-old has scored an impressive 54 goals in 82 appearances for Germany and immediately elevates United's attack after a mixed campaign so far. -- BL
Hanna Lundkvist
Free
San Diego Wave: B-
Manchester United: B+
Lundkvist has been a dependable player for the Wave, making 26 appearances for the club and helping them to a sixth-placed finish in the NWSL regular season. It will be disappointing to lose her on a free transfer, however the player's desire to be closer to home in Europe made her departure inevitable.
United boss Marc Skinner promised January would be an "aggressive" transfer window for the club as they target a strong end to the season both domestically and in Europe. Kickstarting the window with the signing of Lundkvist is shrewd business, with the Sweden international bringing plenty of quality and international experience with her to Manchester. -- BL