Phoebe: City must be looking for midfielders following Jill Roord’s injury and the departures of Castellanos and Blakstad, but who?
Emma: I reported on Monday that Manchester City had lodged a bid for young Aston Villa midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown for about £200,000, triggering a release clause. They see her as a potential replacement for Roord.
Blindkilde Brown may not be the only point of focus. Barcelona’s 19-year-old midfielder Julia Bartel is also being monitored by a few WSL clubs I’m told, with a view to signing her in the summer.
Whether City are among those interested is yet be known but given recent business between the two clubs, she is likely to be on their radar.
Sebastian: Does Lauren Hemp have any other named clubs apart from Manchester City who have already shown concrete interest in her?
Emma: Lauren Hemp’s situation is an interesting one. I’m told there is genuine interest from Barcelona as she is yet to agree a contract extension with Manchester City. Gareth Taylor made it clear he wanted Hemp to stay and said the club had put down a “substantial offer”. A waiting game for now.
Jenny: Why is there still no news on Ellie Roebuck? Surely she wants to leave Man City, and there have been rumours of offers so why no movement?
Emma: Barcelona have held talks regarding Ellie Roebuck but there are several factors that might need to fall in place to complete the transfer, including the potential movement of goalkeepers currently at the Spanish club.
I’m told Sandra Panos has strong interest from a few WSL clubs. If she was to move, that could accelerate a possible move by Roebuck – who I believe has not signed any pre-contract agreement yet.
There is a possibility that Roebuck will not leave until the summer – with Barcelona favourites to sign her on a free contract – but other WSL clubs have still been monitoring the situation.
Manchester United were one of the clubs sources say were interested, while I believe Brighton were looking at Roebuck after Nicky Evrard, who had joined on loan from Chelsea, returned to her parent club with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
I think this will be an ongoing saga.