Tottenham Hotspur Women have emerged as one of the clear winners of the 2026 Women's Super League summer transfer window, according to an analysis by ESPN Soccer. The club's aggressive recruitment strategy, which closed this week, has fundamentally reshaped their squad with a blend of proven WSL experience and elite European talent.
Manager Martin Ho, who oversaw a dramatic climb from relegation candidates to fifth place last term, has been the architect of this overhaul. His signings are, in his own words, "arguably the biggest contributor to Spurs' transformation from relegation candidates in 2024-25 to top-four challengers inside a year." The team finished the 2025 campaign with 36 points from 22 games, scoring 35 goals but conceding 38, a defensive record they have directly addressed.
What new signings did Tottenham Hotspur Women make?
The North London side secured a major coup by breaking their transfer record to sign midfielder Alice Sombath from Arsenal. Sombath arrives with title-winning pedigree, as does Victoria Pelova, who joined from French giants OL Lyonnes. These seasoned Champions League players, Caitlin Dijkstra among them, provide instant quality.
In attack, the club was equally active. They brought in experienced forward Kirsty Hanson from Aston Villa, a player familiar to Ho from their time together at Manchester United. Striker Shekiera Martinez joined from West Ham, while young talents Cathinka Tandberg and Signe Gaupset add exciting potential. Gaupset arrived alongside goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen from Norwegian side SK Brann.
How does this compare to other WSL clubs?
While Tottenham were proactive, the most seismic moves occurred at London City Lionesses. Their billionaire owner Michele Kang continued her ambitious plan by signing two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas on a free transfer. They also attracted world-class talents like Mapi León, Mary Earps, and Kadidiatou Diani without paying a fee, signaling a dramatic shift in the league's power structure.
Manchester United faced a challenging window, highlighted by the departure of manager Marc Skinner and last season's top scorer Melvine Malard to Chelsea for £800,000. New boss Eva Olid oversaw four arrivals but saw six players leave, including defenders Gabby George and Millie Turner. Manchester City signed Beth Mead and Niamh Charles but missed out on late targets. Chelsea invested £500,000 in Giulia Dragoni from Barcelona.
What is Tottenham's current squad status?
With the window shut, Tottenham's squad is now complete and reflects a clear ambition to close the 19-point gap to last season's champions, Manchester City. The integration of players like Sombath and Pelova will be vital for improving on their recent form of two wins, two losses, and a draw (WWDLL). Fans can track the progress of the new-look team via the official squad page.
The WSL itself is undergoing change, expanding to 14 teams this season with only one side facing relegation next May. This context makes Tottenham's investment look even more strategic, aiming for a secure top-half finish and a European push. Newly promoted Charlton, in contrast, struggled to attract talent and risk an immediate return to the second tier.
Where do Tottenham go from here?
The immediate focus shifts to the pitch, where Martin Ho must blend his new signings into a cohesive unit. The departure of Bethany England and Molly Bartrip to Crystal Palace creates space for the fresh attacking options. The club's fixtures for the new campaign will provide the first real test of this refreshed roster's capabilities.
With the league standings resetting, Tottenham Hotspur Women begin the new season from a position of strength built in this transfer window. Their final preparatory work concludes with the integration of record signing Alice Sombath into the starting lineup.
