• Netherlands striker says move was ‘easy choice’
• New manager Gareth Taylor salutes ‘top talent’

Manchester City have signed the WSL’s all-time leading goalscorer Vivianne Miedema, who says she has chosen the club specifically because she wants to “win the league”.

The 27-year-old Netherlands striker, who is also her country’s record goalscorer, has moved on a free transfer after the end of her contract at Arsenal and has signed a three-year deal.

• England forward ‘still has so much more to give’
• Acquisition is huge coup for south coast club

The England forward Fran Kirby says she “still has so much more to give” and wanted to stay in the WSL, after signing for Brighton on a free transfer following the expiry of her contract at Chelsea.

The 31-year-old, who helped Chelsea win all seven of their WSL titles, also says hearing of the passion for women’s football among Brighton’s board was a key factor in her decision.

• England midfielder Georgia Stanway calls deal ‘very sad’
• Ex-Lib Dem leader Tim Farron says club a ‘disgrace’

The England midfielder Georgia Stanway and the former Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron have been among those to criticise Blackburn Rovers, after reports that the club will be paying women’s team players merely minimum wage throughout next season on 16-hour-a-week contracts.

The Daily Mail reported on Tuesday that Blackburn, who play in the second tier of the women’s pyramid, are set to be constrained by a playing budget of just £100,000 for next season and therefore their players, who are all semi-professional, will receive salaries of just £9,000. It is understood those reported numbers are consistent with the contract terms that have been discussed with several prospective players this summer, and that such salaries have previously been commonplace at the club in previous seasons.

• Lionesses due to face Republic of Ireland and Sweden
• Two wins would guarantee qualification for Euro 2025

Sarina Wiegman says it feels “strange” to be preparing for two crucial European Championship qualifiers in the middle of the summer off-season, but that her England team are fully focused on ensuring they qualify for next summer’s finals in Switzerland.

Wiegman’s Lionesses have been in her homeland, the Netherlands, since Monday for a training camp for the qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland at Carrow Road next Friday, 12 July, and away to Sweden in Gothenburg on Tuesday 16 July, knowing two victories would guarantee the defending champions automatic qualification.

• Bronze and Bartel likely to join WSL champions shortly
• Pair are boost for Chelsea in immediate and long term

Chelsea are poised to sign the England right-back Lucy Bronze and the Spain youth international midfielder Júlia Bartel, both from Barcelona on free transfers.

It is understood the arrival of the 20-year-old Bartel, who has been tipped as one of the best young players in Europe, is imminent and her move could be confirmed by Chelsea within the next 24 to 36 hours, while an agreement is also believed to be in place for Bronze to join Sonia Bompastor’s side.

• World Cup winner Caldentey joins from Barcelona
• Liverpool buy Olivia Smith for club record

Arsenal have signed the World Cup-winning Spain forward Mariona Caldentey from Barcelona on a free transfer. The 28-year-old had a 10-year spell at Barcelona during which she won 25 trophies, including three Champions Leagues, the third of which came in May against Lyon.

Arsenal view Caldentey as one of the best players in the world and their recruitment team identified her as a key target because of her ruthless winning mentality and the opportunity to sign her in the prime of her career. She has been given the No 8 shirt.