Arsenal are on the verge of completing a deadline-day deal for France international defender Élisa De Almeida, with the move from Paris Saint-Germain expected to be confirmed before the Women's Super League's 11pm transfer window closes on Thursday. The Gunners have reportedly agreed a fee in the region of £500,000 for the 28-year-old, who has spent the past several seasons at PSG since arriving in 2021.
The reigning WSL champions' push to bolster their defensive options comes in the wake of a fresh injury blow, with forward Vivianne Miedema sidelined by a knee problem that is expected to keep her out of action for an undetermined period. While the injury primarily affects Arsenal's attacking options, the club has used deadline day to strengthen across the squad, with De Almeida's arrival seen as a priority addition.
Paris Saint-Germain, however, appear more resistant to losing another of their prized assets. Nigeria midfielder Jennifer Echegini has attracted interest from Manchester City, but the French club were working hard on Thursday morning to keep hold of the 25-year-old rather than sanction a second departure on deadline day.
The transfer business comes just ahead of the WSL season opener, with London City Lionesses set to host Manchester United on Friday. United have already been active in the market this week, confirming the signing of Mexico international Rebeca Bernal, who is capable of playing in midfield or at centre-back. New head coach Eva Olid confirmed Bernal would be available for selection against the Lionesses.
Olid, who replaced Marc Skinner and previously managed Hearts, used her first press conference since taking charge to outline her vision for the club, repeatedly emphasising her intention to implement an attack-minded style of play. Speaking for 17 minutes, she referenced "attacking" football eight times while also stressing her commitment to developing young talent within the squad.
"They appointed me for that reason. I have to go with that," Olid said of her attacking approach. "We will be brave in attack, trying to play that attractive football. Our main focus [is] that attacking mentality. We want to play with the ball, a nice football, create a lot of chances."
Despite Bernal's arrival, Olid indicated that United would not be pursuing further signings before the deadline, suggesting that more significant squad changes could arrive in the January window instead. "The players I need are different from the players the previous manager needed. [It has been a] short period to react," she explained. "We have some plans in January about signing players that I really need for my style of play. It was not about signing players quick. It is about signing the right players."
The new United boss was also pressed on the club's financial commitment to the women's team, a topic that has drawn scrutiny given that Chelsea's wage bill for their women's side was nearly three times larger than United's in the most recently published accounts. Olid pushed back against suggestions of insufficient investment, insisting the club's ambitions extended beyond player recruitment alone.
"The message has always been about: 'We want to invest in everything,'" she said. "As I said, not just on players. Because I think it is important we have the right staff, the right coaches… The message is that they want to win. They want to win. I think I am here to make that happen, but with a solid identity."
With the transfer deadline now closing and the new season beginning this weekend, attention will quickly turn to how these late moves shape the opening rounds of WSL fixtures, starting with Friday's clash between London City Lionesses and Manchester United.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.