Manchester City Miss Out on Three Midfield Targets at WSL Deadline

Manchester City were unable to complete deals for three midfield targets before the Women’s Super League transfer window closed on Thursday night, according to reporting by The Guardian. The champions were seeking additional attacking options after learning that Vivianne Miedema could be sidelined for at least the remainder of 2026 with a knee injury.

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The Guardian reported that Atlético Madrid rejected a Manchester City offer worth more than £500,000 for Fiamma Benítez. Atlético are understood to regard the 22-year-old Spain midfielder as an important player with significant international potential and were unwilling to approve her departure.

Benítez has already collected major honours at youth and senior international level. She was part of the Spain teams that won the 2022 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship and FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, before contributing to the country’s UEFA Women’s Nations League triumph in 2024.

City also made a late attempt to sign Everton’s Ornella Vignola, a Spain international able to operate in midfield or on the wing. The Guardian said Everton turned down a bid of about £400,000, in large part because there was insufficient time to secure a suitable replacement. Vignola’s importance to Scott Phelan’s team was also reported to be a factor.

A further approach involving Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jennifer Echegini did not progress. While interest from City was widely reported, The Guardian cited multiple sources saying PSG made clear that the 25-year-old Nigeria international was not for sale. The French club had agreed to transfer defender Élisa De Almeida to Arsenal for a fee believed to be slightly above £500,000 and did not want to lose another key player on the same day.

City did complete one deadline-day transaction, signing England goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse on loan from Orlando Pride until the end of January. She adds depth after Khiara Keating left for Liverpool on a free transfer in July. Despite missing out on midfield reinforcements, City retained WSL Golden Boot winner Khadija Shaw on a new contract earlier in the summer and are due to begin their title defence at home against promoted Birmingham City on Sunday.