West Ham United Women's Transfer Window: A State of Flux

West Ham United Women are in a state of flux, with the transfer window in full swing. The Hammers' relegation from the Women's Super League last season has left them in a limbo. Right now, the talk is still about who will leave the London Stadium, with talk of incomings pretty slow. Mateus Fernandes has already departed in an £85million deal to Tottenham, and Crysencio Summerville looks certain to follow him out of the exit door.

What Happened to the Squad?

The Hammers' squad has been ranked from strongest to weakest, with what we know about the transfer window so far. The forwards have been ranked at 7/10, with both Summerville and Bowen on the books. However, if Summerville does leave, then it stands to reason that the Hammers will need to do some good work in the market to add to their attacking ranks, especially with Callum Wilson moving to Brentford. Abdul Fatawu, Tom Watson, and Gustavo Sa have all been linked with a move to the Hammers, so contingency plans are clearly in place for Summerville's exit.

Defenders Ranked 6/10

Another position that you have to say kind of defends on who stays and who goes. For instance, at right-back the Hammers have two really options in Wan-Bissaka and Kyle Walker-Peters, but the former has reported interest from Arsenal and Everton. On the other flanks, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Oliver Scarles will battle it out, and both are perfectly fine for the Championship. Centre-back is where the issues lie, really. Jean Clair-Todibo will surely leave and Axel Disasi's loan deal is over. Konstantinos Mavropanos is still here for now, but will have suitors elsewhere, and Max Kilman struggled last season, though will hopefully rediscover his best form in the second tier.

Midfielders Ranked 4/10

Central midfield has been a real issue for West Ham United Women ever since Declan Rice joined Arsenal in July 2023. Fernandes departing for Spurs has further weakened the Hammers' engine room, and Nuno Espirito Santo will want more energy and dynamism. That may come from within, with Freddie Potts acquitting himself well and having plenty of Championship experience having previously played on loan at Portsmouth. George Earthy will also surely get more minutes in the second tier. But the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez, who spent time away on loan last season, need moving on. Tomas Soucek is a reliable performer, though it depends if he sticks around, while Soungoutou Magassa is also still on the books.

Goalkeepers Ranked 3/10

One glaring issue for the Hammers is at goalkeeper. Veteran Lukasz Fabianski has now been released, with the 41-year-old struggling badly with injury last term. Mads Hermansen and Alphonse Areola were chopped and changed a lot last season, but both have their flaws. In the second tier, perhaps they will be able to rediscover their form.