Manchester United and Manchester City are set to complete a shock swap deal on WSL deadline day that has left fans of one side in particular furious.
The Women’s Super League window is open until 11 p.m. on Thursday, in contrast to the Premier League’s Monday deadline.
The 12 WSL clubs have a busy day ahead of them as they try to finalize their squads in preparation for the start of the new season this weekend.
Olivia Smith, a forward for Canada, became the first player to earn a million pounds when she joined Arsenal from Liverpool, making it one of the largest windows in women’s football history.
After her contract with Manchester City expired, England’s Euro 2025 hero Chloe Kelly joined Arsenal, and Chelsea, the defending champions, acquired Lyon’s right-back Ellie Carpenter.
On deadline day, however, United and City will be the main attractions—and in a major way.
According to The Guardian, City’s proposal for star midfielder Grace Clinton, who is nearing the end of her contract, has been accepted by United.
In exchange, Jess Park, a midfielder for City, will go the other way in a trade, but for less than what the Manchester Blues will pay to acquire Clinton.
This summer, both players were included in England’s Euro 2025 squad, with Clinton substituting in five of the six games.
The 22-year-old scored eight goals in 20 games last season after joining United from Everton in 2022.
United have lost Alessia Russo, Ona Batlle and Mary Earps on free transfers in recent seasons in moves that have infuriated the club’s fanbase, and while they are at least getting an talented England international midfielder in return this time around, fans are still not happy that the club is unable to convince its top stars to stay.
One fan wrote: “Losing Grace Clinton would be a disaster! She should be the player this team is built around!!!!”
A second added: “Stunned that Man Utd have allowed Grace Clinton to go to Man City. One of the most promising talents in the country. Ridiculous.”
And a third asked: “Why are we not giving players lengthy contracts, or is the ladies’ team not part of the INEOS plan?”
Former City captain Steph Houghton, meanwhile, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “That deal has massively surprised me.
“I look at Jess Park as a Manchester City player who’s been there for eight years … I want to keep the players that we’ve had since they’ve been 15, 16 years old.
“But if she needs to go and play, and vice versa with Grace – with England, there’s so much emphasis on playing games with Sarina [Wiegman] in that England squad. Definitely different profiles, but very influential in different ways.”
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