QB weekly: 6. 7. - 12. 7. 2026

We've just witnessed one of the wildest transfer weeks in women's football. Not only of 2026, but perhaps in the sport's history. On top of that, the UEFA Women's Under-19 EURO 2026 has crowned its new champions. From blockbuster moves to major tournament headlines, here's everything you need to know from a week packed with big stories.

La Reina Alexia Putellas arrived in London

Without a further ado: it's finally here. And we begin with the biggest story of the week: Alexia Putellas is heading to the WSL.

The two-time Ballon d'Or winner confirmed in May, shortly after lifting the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy, that she would leave Barcelona after 14 seasons. During that time, Putellas became the face of the club, evolving into a symbol of Barça Femení's rise and inspiring the kind of adoration once reserved for Lionel Messi.

Europe's biggest clubs were eager to sign La Reina, but Putellas reportedly turned down offers from the likes of Arsenal and OL Lyonnes, unwilling to join one of Barcelona's direct rivals in the Women's Champion's League. 

For weeks, speculation had pointed towards London City Lionesses, the ambitious Michele Kang-owned club. There, Putellas will reunite with former Barcelona teammate Jana Fernández, while reports continue to link another Barça legend, Mapi León, who also left Barcelona in May.

Arsenal WFC is going strong

Arsenal, however, have been just as busy in the transfer market. After securing the signing of Georgia Stanway last week, the Gunners unveiled three more long-anticipated additions to an already formidable squad.

First came Selina Cerci, the Frauen-Bundesliga's top scorer last season, who arrives from Hoffenheim. Arsenal then confirmed the signing of Géraldine Reuteler from Eintracht Frankfurt. The versatile Switzerland international further enhanced her reputation with a series of outstanding performances at last summer's UEFA Women's EURO on her home soil.

The headline arrival, though, is undoubtedly Ona Batlle. The Spain international returns to the WSL as one of the world's finest full-backs, adding even greater quality and experience to Renée Slegers' squad. With such a strong roster, the Gunners will not only be looking to win the WSL title but will certainly also aim to build on their success in the Champions League from 2007 and 2025.

Spain women's U19 national team did it again

The UEFA Women's U19 Championship also reached its conclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Germany and Spain met in a compelling final.

While Spain entered the match as favourites, Germany frustrated their opponents for long periods thanks in large part to an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Janne Krumme. The breakthrough finally came after the break, when Irune Dorado found the net to give Spain the decisive advantage.

The victory secured an extraordinary fifth consecutive UEFA Women's U19 EURO title for Spain, further underlining the country's remarkable dominance at youth level and the strength of its player development pathway.

Read mor about rising stars of women's football here.

Love is in the air

With the domestic season over, many players are enjoying a well-earned break before pre-season begins. While football may have paused, social media has continued to offer fans a glimpse into players' lives away from the pitch, with several sharing major personal milestones over the past week.

England midfielder Ella Toone married her long-time partner, Joe Bunney. Standing by her side as maid of honour was her close friend and England teammate Alessia Russo.

Elsewhere, Filippa Angeldahl also celebrated her wedding, marrying her partner, Meg. And there was more happy news from Sweden, as Everton's Aurora Galli proposed to her partner, Chelsea defender Nathalie Björn, with the couple announcing their engagement on social media.

Next mission for Marie-Louise Eta

The name Marie-Louise Eta is familiar even to many who don't regularly follow the Frauen-Bundesliga or women's football.

In April, the Union Berlin coach made history by becoming the first woman to take charge of a men's team in one of Europe's top five leagues. Appointed on an interim basis until the end of the season, Eta guided Union to two crucial victories and successfully secured the club's Bundesliga status.

From the outset, however, the plan was always clear: once her spell with the men's side came to an end, she would return to lead Union Berlin's women's team.

That transition has now been completed. After making history on the men's bench, Eta begins the next chapter of her coaching career with the club's women's side—a move that feels less like a step back than a continuation of the long-term project Union envisioned from the very beginning.