Analysis

Manchester United Women have pulled off a major coup with the signing of Dutch international Dominique Janssen. The experienced defender brings a wealth of winning pedigree and leadership to the Red Devils' backline. Janssen, known for her rock-solid defending and calm presence on the pitch, has enjoyed a trophy-laden career. After a successful stint with Arsenal in the FA Women's Super League, where she lifted the league title alongside the FA Cup and League Cup, she moved to German giants VfL Wolfsburg. In Germany, she continued her trophy haul, adding two Frauen Bundesliga titles and three DFB-Pokal wins to her impressive collection. On the international stage, Janssen has been a mainstay for the Netherlands, playing a key role in their 2017 European Championship triumph. ...

Chelsea fans, rejoice! The wait is over. French forward Sandy Baltimore has officially signed for the Blues, solidifying their position as a powerhouse in women's football. Baltimore, a 24-year-old speedy winger, has spent her entire professional career at Paris Saint-Germain. Rising through the ranks at a young age, she quickly established herself as a key player for the club. Her impressive trophy haul includes a Division 1 Féminine title, ending Lyon's dominance in 2020-21, and a Champions League final appearance in 2017. Known for her electrifying acceleration, dribbling skills, and a knack for scoring crucial goals, Baltimore has earned 28 caps for the French national team. This move to Chelsea is a clear sign of Baltimore's ambition. After a trophy-laden career at PSG, sh...

Earlier this year, Fran Kirby announced that after nearly a decade at Chelsea, she would be leaving the club. This week, the legendary midfielder revealed where she will be playing next.  Brighton Women confirmed on Thursday that they had signed Fran Kirby on a free transfer. This is a massive coup for the Seagulls.   Kirby is one of the best British women’s footballers of all time. She played an instrumental part in turning Chelsea into the women’s football powerhouse that they are today. In the 2020/21 season, she was a part of the Chelsea side that won England’s first ever domestic quadruple.  A year later, Kirby started all seven of England’s Euro 2022 matches, helping the Lionesses win their first European Championship. Two of those matches were at the Amex Stadium, the home ...

After gazumping Brighton to the signing of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall earlier in the transfer window, Chelsea are now considering signing one of the Seagulls’ best players. According to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, the Blues “admire” Brighton left winger Kaoru Mitoma.  Given that seemingly three quarters of the Stamford Bridge front office worked at Brighton before joining Chelsea, this is not surprising. However, it would be a slightly outside-the-box signing for the Blues given the other players they have been linked with. As Jacobs explained, Chelsea are looking at a number of young left-sided attackers. Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville, who has also been linked to Brighton, is one of Chelsea’s top transfer targets. 19-year-old Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa and breakout Ukra...

Brighton are set to sign Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer. The 24-year-old was one of the best young players in the Eredivisie and has the potential to be one of Premier League’s best midfielders. For Brighton, Wieffer gives the Seagulls physicality in their midfield that they severely missed last season after selling Moises Caicedo. He was second in the league for blocks and in the top ten for interceptions, tackles, and dribblers tackled.  Wieffer’s passing ability is also very impressive. He ranked in the top ten for passes into the final third, progressive passes, and for a number of other passing metrics. This was mostly due to Arne Slot’s system, but Wieffer was key to that system, so I can’t knock him too much.  Here’s how new Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler’s system coul...

Deniz Undav and Pascal Groß looked sure to leave Brighton this summer. Now, it seems like the Seagulls’ two star Germans might be sticking around for at least another season.  Brighton Technical Director David Weir told The Athletic that the club’s chances of holding onto both Undav and Groß are “very high.” “They are contracted to Brighton and they are players that have done well for us,” Weir said, “hey are two players that we are expecting to be back with us and looking forward to being part of our squad. A lot of things have been written and said, but ultimately nothing has changed from our perspective.” The former Scotland international also revealed that Brighton’s new manager Fabian Hürzeler has already spoken to Undav and Groß.  “They are players we really like, Fabian ...

West Ham have launched an ambitious plan to sign one of the most in-demand center backs in Europe. The Hammers have reportedly bid €35m for Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.  Sky Sports has reported that the bid was rejected. Other outlets claim Nice will hold out for €50m or more. West Ham’s current record record signing is Lucas Paquetá, who they signed from Lyonnais for around €60m.  Betting scandal aside, Paquetá rapidly became one of the best players at his position and helped West Ham reach another level. Todibo has the chance to do the same.  Kurt Zouma and Konstantinos Mavropanos are solid Premier League center backs, but neither are as good with the ball at their feet as Todibo. A player with the Frenchman’s skills will be essential to playing more progressive football under new ...

Roberto De Zerbi left Brighton earlier this year because of disagreements with club owner Tony Bloom about the club’s transfer strategy. New manager Fabian Hürzeler, meanwhile, is in full agreement with the club about one of Brighton’s biggest transfer targets.  According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Hürzeler has approved the club’s pursuit of young Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer.  Brighton have opened talks with Wieffer’s agents, and reportedly, the player is very keen to join Brighton. However, the Seagulls are not the only club in the running to sign the 24 year old.  Wieffer is a top target for AC Milan. Liverpool, Tottenham, and other top European clubs are also monitoring the Dutch international’s transfer situation. Feyenoord are asking for £30m or more for Wieffer....

Brighton’s signing of Yankuba Minteh from Newcastle for £30m is one of the biggest deals of the Premier League transfer window so far. Despite that massive deal, the Seagulls are not done spending. Reports claim Brighton have bid £30m for Leeds United forward Georginio Rutter.  The Whites reportedly rejected the bid, hoping to hold on to the 22-year-old for one more season. It is unclear how much Brighton would actually need to spend to pry him away from Leeds.  Rutter started 44 of Leeds’ 46 games in the Championship last season, primarily playing as a No. 10 or second striker behind a more natural goal-scorer up front. From that position, Rutter scored 6 goals and had 16 assists in the league. Ipswich Town’s Leif Davis was the only player in the Championship with more assists than ...

After hiring new manager Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton are looking to bring in reinforcements at one of the thinnest positions in their squad. The Seagulls have been linked to multiple right backs, including Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters.  The former England international has just one year left on his Saints contract. He is reportedly very open to a move this summer. If he does not sign a new contract soon, it is very likely Southampton will look to offload him this summer instead of losing him for nothing next year.  Brighton, West Ham, and his former club Tottenham have all been linked to Walker-Peters. Most reports claim Southampton want £20m for him. At 27-years-old, Walker-Peters is slightly older than most Brighton transfer targets. Spending £20m on a player with low resale p...