Manchester City's pursuit of midfield reinforcements hit a snag on Women's Super League transfer deadline day, with bids for two Spain internationals reportedly rejected. Atlético Madrid turned down an offer exceeding £500,000 for midfielder Fiamma Benítez. The WSL champions were reportedly keen to bolster their attacking midfield options following news that Vivianne Miedema could be sidelined for at least the remainder of 2026 due to a knee injury.
Following the unsuccessful bid for Benítez, City reportedly made a late move for Everton's Ornella Vignola, with a bid of around £400,000 also rejected. Everton reportedly declined the offer due to a lack of time to find a replacement and Vignola's importance to the team. Reports also indicated City attempted to sign Nigeria midfielder Jennifer Echegini from Paris Saint-Germain, but PSG reportedly stated they were unwilling to sell.
Despite the scramble for midfielders, City did complete one deadline-day deal, bringing in England goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse on loan from Orlando Pride until the end of January. This move adds depth to their goalkeeping ranks after Khiara Keating's July transfer to Liverpool.