Popp to Diani and more: 10 women’s transfers that slipped past the men’s World Cup headlines
High-profile moves such as Sam Kerr’s and Alexia Putellas’s transfers dominated attention, but a number of significant women’s signings in June and July went under the radar. A round-up highlights ten transfers that attracted less notice while the men’s World Cup occupied the spotlight.
The busiest weeks for women’s football transfer activity came across June and July, even as coverage was dominated by the men’s tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. Among the better-known moves were Beth Mead’s transfer from Arsenal to Manchester City, Mary Earps and Georgia Stanway returning to the Women’s Super League with London City Lionesses and Arsenal respectively, Sam Kerr leaving Chelsea to return to Gotham FC and Alexia Putellas’s switch from Barcelona to London City. The piece was published on 2026-07-23.
Sam Kerr’s departure from Chelsea to rejoin Gotham FC in the NWSL was one of the most visible transfers and drew widespread attention, but it was not the sole major move during the period. Clubs in both Europe and the United States adjusted rosters, producing a steady flow of signings that did not always receive extensive media coverage amid the World Cup.
Alexia Putellas’s transfer from Barcelona to London City was billed as a game-changing switch and became one of the headline stories of the window. Her move was widely reported and positioned among the most prominent transfers of the summer, standing out even as other notable deals unfolded quietly.
Beth Mead completed a move from Arsenal to Manchester City in the same window, a transfer that added to the reshuffle among top WSL clubs. Meanwhile Mary Earps returned to the Women’s Super League with London City Lionesses, and Georgia Stanway went back to Arsenal, both moves marking a return of established internationals to England’s top flight.
Beyond those headline developments, the review identifies a further set of eight transfers — making ten in total — that merited attention but received less coverage while the men’s tournament was ongoing. The list aims to surface signings across different leagues and nations that contributed to an active summer market for the women’s game.
Although the men’s World Cup drew the bulk of global headlines, the transfer activity in women’s football across June and July represents a notable period of movement. The transactions named here, both widely covered and more understated, reflect that clubs continued to reshape squads throughout the transfer window.
The collection of ten transfers offers a reminder that significant roster changes in women’s football occurred even during the men’s tournament, and those moves warrant follow-up as teams prepare for the coming season. Observers and supporters will find value in reviewing the full list to understand how the summer window affected squads across competitions.