BARGAIN BUYS: Four quality WSL players available on free transfers this summer

Remi Allen (#4 Aston Villa) in action during the Barclays Women’s Super League game between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, England – Image by SPP

The transfer market promises to be a very busy place once again this summer with every club wanting to bring in some fresh faces for the 2023/2024 season.

Some clubs will look to spend big on world-class talent while others will attempt to cleverly play the transfer market to get their hands on some quality players who are out of contract or unattached.

FAWSL Full-Time have taken a look at the free agent market and we have highlighted four players who shouldn’t be short of offers from prospective new clubs this summer.

Remi Allen – Midfielder

Midfielder Allen hasn’t won a lot of silverware in her 15-year playing career but she is hugely experienced at the top level and will be put in the ‘legend’ category by fans of some of her former clubs.

Allen has arguably been a victim of latest club Aston Villa’s success. Had The Villans not been chasing another top five finish next season, the midfielder may have still been a part of head coach Carla Ward’s plans. Allen spent a large chunk of her two years with Aston Villa recovering from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury but she proved that she can still do a great job upon her return to the side towards the end of the season.

The midfielder should easily attract another Barclays Women’s Super League club for next season. She provides experience, quality, grit and determination, everything that a team needs to push on at the top level. There are a handful of clubs that definitely need a player like her.

Jemma Purfield – Left-back

Left-back Purfield was one of the more surprising names on Leicester City’s lengthy released list. The 26-year-old has been relatively consistent with her performances for The Foxes over the last two seasons. The defender has made 35 appearances in the Barclays Women’s Super League for Leicester City, regularly catching the eye as she has set the standard on the left side of the pitch.

Purfield has been a feature in the Barclays Women’s Super League for the last five seasons and she is definitely worth another shot at that level. The defender is now in her prime and there is arguably more to come from her in the coming years.

Megan Campbell – Left-back

Republic of Ireland defender Campbell is available on a free transfer after being released by Liverpool. Campbell has a history of niggling injuries but she has managed to get 26 games under her belt in 2022/2023 for club and country, a sign that she is on the comeback trail.

If a club opts to sign Campbell, they have to be prepared for maybe not getting a defender who is going to be an ever-present but she has a secret weapon. The full-back’s long throws can cause chaos in the opposition box and they can be worth several points to a team over the course of a season. Campbell also proved that she is a very good footballer during her time with latest club Liverpool.

Campbell could be a perfect fit for a team looking to build a different identity or aiming to upset the odds. She brings something different that will be an attraction for some clubs.

Danielle Carter – Forward

There is a very good striker available on a free this summer in the form of three-time Barclays Women’s Super League winner Carter. The experienced forward won every domestic honour on multiple occasions at former club Arsenal.

Carter has most recently been playing her football at Brighton & Hove Albion. The player ended the 2022/2023 campaign as the club’s top scorer with nine goals in all competitions.

Wherever Carter goes, she will bring goals and she would be a useful addition for a number of clubs in the Barclays Women’s Super League.