Manchester City fails to sign midfield reinforcements before summer transfer deadline
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 9:09 AM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
Manchester City failed to complete deals for two Spanish midfielders on the final day of the Women’s Super League summer transfer window. The club attempted to secure Fiamma Benítez from Atlético Madrid with a bid exceeding £500,000, but the offer was rejected. City also failed to finalize a transfer for Ornella Vignola from Everton before the deadline closed at 11pm BST on Thursday. These recruitment efforts followed an injury to Vivianne Miedema, who is expected to remain sidelined for the remainder of 2026 due to a knee issue. The WSL champions sought the attacking-midfield reinforcements to address the gap in the squad caused by the loss of their No 10. No further signings were reported for the club as the summer window concluded.
- •Manchester City failed to land Fiamma Benítez after an Atlético Madrid rejection.
- •A bid of over £500,000 for Benítez was turned down on deadline day.
- •The club was unable to sign Ornella Vignola from Everton.
- •Recruitment efforts were prompted by a long-term knee injury to Vivianne Miedema.
- •The transfer window closed on Thursday at 11pm BST.
- 9:09 AMThe Guardian Sport — Manchester City failed to land Spain pair in scramble for Miedema cover
"Atlético rejected £500,000-plus bid for Fiamma Benítez City also unable to prise Ornella Vignola from Everton Atlético Madrid rejected a bid of more than £500,000 from Manchester City for the Spain midfielder Fiamma Benítez on the Women’s Super League’s transfer deadline day, the Guardian can reveal. The WSL champions are understood to have tried hard to add attacking-midfielder reinforcements before the English summer window closed on Thursday at 11pm BST, largely in light of news that their No 10 Vivianne Miedema could be out for at least the rest of 2026 with a knee injury. Continue reading...
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