Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Georgia Stanway from Bayern Munich, with the England midfielder set to join the north London club at the start of July on a free transfer. The move is subject to the 27-year-old passing a medical, but the noises out of both camps suggest this one is as close to a done deal as it gets.
Stanway heading home after four years in Germany
Stanway's contract at Bayern expires this summer, and the Frauen Bundesliga club confirmed back in January that she would be leaving at the end of her deal. Bayern's director of women's football, Bianca Rech, was effusive in her praise of the departing midfielder at the time, crediting her "commitment and character" and acknowledging that the club had spoken openly about her future before reaching the conclusion that Stanway wanted a new challenge.
The Cumbrian midfielder has had a remarkable four seasons in Germany. She has been part of a Bayern side that won four Bundesliga titles during her time there, and she departs having scored a penalty in this month's DFB Cup final victory over Wolfsburg. She leaves the Allianz Arena in fine form and with her reputation as one of the world's leading central midfielders firmly intact.
A long-standing target for Arsenal
This is no snap decision from Arsenal. The club are understood to have been monitoring Stanway for several years, identifying her as a key transfer target even before their Champions League final success last summer. Succession planning in midfield and the ambition to reclaim the WSL title — which Arsenal last won in 2019 — have been central to their recruitment thinking, and Stanway fits the brief on both counts.
Stanway arrives with exceptional pedigree. She has scored 32 goals in 91 appearances for England and was a central figure in the squads that won back-to-back European Championships. She was also part of the side that reached the 2023 World Cup final. Before her move to Germany, she had been a key player for Manchester City, so a return to English football represents something of a homecoming.
A busy summer of ins and outs at Arsenal Women
Stanway is not the only new arrival in the pipeline at Arsenal this summer. The club are also close to finalising the signing of Switzerland international Géraldine Reuteler, who becomes available on a free transfer following her exit from Eintracht Frankfurt. The attacking midfielder contributed 10 goals this season and was one of the standout performers for Switzerland at last summer's European Championship, having registered 54 goals and 45 assists across 184 appearances for Frankfurt.
The arrivals come against the backdrop of significant departures from Jonas Eidevall's squad. Arsenal have already confirmed the exits of Beth Mead, Katie McCabe, Victoria Pelova, Laia Codina, and goalkeepers Manuela Zinsberger and Naomi Williams. The club are clearly reshaping their squad with purpose, and landing Stanway on a free represents a genuine statement of intent as they look to mount a serious WSL title challenge next season.
The market will take note. Arsenal are building quietly but effectively, and with Stanway's experience and quality coming in at no transfer fee, this looks like a sharp piece of business.
Frequently asked
- When will Georgia Stanway join Arsenal?
- Stanway is expected to join Arsenal at the start of July 2026, once her contract with Bayern Munich expires at the end of the season. The move is subject to a medical.
- How much are Arsenal paying for Georgia Stanway?
- Arsenal are signing Stanway on a free transfer, as her contract at Bayern Munich runs out this summer. No transfer fee is involved.
- What trophies has Georgia Stanway won?
- Stanway has won four Frauen Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and has been part of England squads that won back-to-back European Championships. She also reached the 2023 World Cup final with England.