The 2025-26 season has wrapped up for most women’s teams, shifting focus to the summer transfer window, which is set to further widen the financial divide in women's football. According to FIFA, global spending on transfer fees rose by 83.6% year-on-year last summer, highlighting the trend of escalating wages and fees.

Notable transfers include:

• Grace Geyoro moving from Paris Saint-Germain to London City Lionesses for a reported £1.43m (though the club disputes this figure).
• Arsenal making headlines with their first £1m signing of Olivia Smith from Liverpool.

The Football Association reported that £3.8m was spent on agents’ fees in the Women’s Super League, a 75% increase from the previous year. Chelsea accounted for over £1m of this, spending significantly more than clubs like Leicester and West Ham.

While the top clubs are thriving, the reality for many WSL2 teams is stark, as they search for affordable players in the free-transfer market. The minimum salary for players varies, with top earners like Khadija “Bunny” Shaw at Manchester City set to earn up to £1.7m annually, surpassing the total revenue of smaller clubs like Leicester.

As the transfer window opens on 16 June and closes on 3 September, clubs are racing to finalize deals. Georgia Stanway is set to join Arsenal on a free transfer, while Chelsea is keen on Felicia Schröder from BK Häcken.

In a worrying sign, Durham, a WSL2 club, risks folding unless new investments are secured. The financial disparity between elite teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea compared to most English clubs and those in less affluent regions is a growing concern.

Amidst these developments, Chelsea will play cup matches at the Cherry Red Records stadium, and the Professional Football Association is extending training camps to include WSL players.

The overarching theme this summer remains the increasing wealth gap, as clubs with substantial financial backing continue to dominate the landscape.