After signing the World Cup’s top scorer, Manchester United Women are pondering a January move for another attack-minded talent, while a player linked with Arsenal recently is on her way to Atletico Madrid instead, and Brighton are getting busy – all in Wednesday’s Women’s Transfer News.
STANDOUT SIGNING FOR MANCHESTER UNITED – AND ANOTHER COULD FOLLOW
Manchester United have announced the signing of Japanese midfielder Hinata Miyazawa after she won the Golden Boot at the recent Women’s World Cup – yet they could still follow up with the addition of someone they considered her an alternative to.
Miyazawa has signed a permanent contract with her new club after leaving Mynavi Sendai in her native country.
The 23-year-old will now be adapting to the Women’s Super League for the first time in her career after previously playing only in Japan at club level. The lure of participation in the Women’s Champions League has also played a part in her decision.
Miyazawa, who will wear the number 20 shirt, told her new club’s official website: “I am truly very happy to be part of this wonderful family and this great team. I am really looking forward to getting started and hope my style of play will excite our fans.”
Meanwhile, head coach Marc Skinner added: “Hinata joins our United family having proven her qualities at the highest level.
“As her Golden Boot win at this summer’s Women’s World Cup has shown, she will excite our fantastic fans with her direct style of play and her ability to find the most dangerous spaces. We cannot wait to see her develop even further within our playing squad.”
Welcome to the club, Hinata! ✍️🇯🇵#MUWomen pic.twitter.com/ZyIdM56cAa
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) September 6, 2023
Not only has Miyazawa arrived, Manchester United could also be making plans to add another option later down the line.
According to Manchester World, the club went for Miyazawa after frustrations in their pursuit of Kerolin from North Carolina Courage. Nevertheless, the report claims they could make a new attempt to add Kerolin as well in January.
The Brazilian star is the same age as Miyazawa and is more of a forward, so although they were originally alternative targets to one another, they could yet function in the same system.
In a busy day for Manchester United, the club have also offloaded midfielder Carrie Jones to Bristol City on a permanent basis.
ATLETICO MADRID ACQUIRING BARCELONA UTILITY PLAYER
Despite being linked briefly with Arsenal in August, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic is on her way from Barcelona to Atletico Madrid.
According to Univision, Crnogorcevic has chosen to make the move across Liga F instead of going to Paris Saint-Germain in France, or either Tigres or America in Mexico.
There were also rumours circulating in late August that Arsenal had approached the Swiss star, though there was no mention of them by Univision. Thus, after three-and-a-half seasons with Barcelona, she is staying in Spain.
A versatile and experienced player, Crnogorcevic could have come to English football for the first time if Arsenal’s interest was concrete (which has clearly now been thrown into question anyway). Instead, her fate will be to move to Madrid as a new Atletico player.
Arsenal already took Spain defender Laia Codina from Barcelona earlier in the summer, but will evidently not be making it a double deal.
Champions League involvement would have been on offer with Arsenal or PSG, whereas Atletico missed out by one place in the Liga F standings from last season. Nevertheless, they appear to have tempted Crnogorcevic to continue her career there instead of any of the other options on the table.
BRIGHTON BRING IN TWO TALENTS
Tatiana Pinto has been unveiled as a new player by Brighton instead after leaving Levante.
The 29-year-old midfielder was also a target for Manchester United, who have officially missed out amid rumours she was more convinced about her gametime on the South Coast.
We are delighted to announce the signing of Tatiana Pinto, subject to necessary regulatory processes. ✍ #BHAFC
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) September 6, 2023
Brighton boss Melissa Phillips said: “We are very excited to welcome Tatiana to the club. She’s a talented and experienced player at both club and international level, and we are certain she will add a dominant and creative flair within our attacking lines.
“Throughout the process, Tatiana’s shared ambition in the club’s overall vision has been clear and she is eager to make her mark amongst the squad. We know she will make an immediate impact to the team as we prepare for a competitive season ahead.”
Pinto previously played in English football with Bristol City between 2015 and 2016 and has 100 caps to her name for Portugal.
Her arrival is the latest eye-catching addition for Brighton, who are also about to sign Jorelyn Carabali from Atletico de Mineiro.
The Brazilian club have confirmed Carabali is on her way to Brighton, becoming the first player they have ever sold for a fee.
Carabali is a defender who represented Colombia in all of their matches at the World Cup earlier this year.