Man Utd manager Marc Skinner believes clubs lower down the Women's Super League making big name signings will make the competition "more exciting."
Skinner, 39, is currently looking to bring players into his United squad after England international Lucy Staniforth was allowed to leave the club to join mid-table Aston Villa this week. The Midlands outfit have also signed Jordan Nobbs from Arsenal, while Beth England left title-chasing Chelsea to join eighth-placed Tottenham earlier this month.
The United manager is currently preparing his team for a return to WSL action against Liverpool this weekend. Although Skinner did also warn that rising transfer fees in the women's game could be problematic for the pyramid, he believes that top players moving to clubs outside of the top four highlighted the league's growth after a trio of eye-catching moves.
"I think it's a really good thing," said Skinner. "Because it shows that (smaller) clubs are happy to invest. I've been at clubs before where it's hard to attract players.
"For the likes of them to attract players I'm not surprised, it's part of their growth.
"I think what it will do is it will make the league more exciting. Those players will make their teams better and it will be more challenging, both for us and for everybody else above and below us."
But Skinner did also warn that inflation in transfer fees could expand the gap between the WSL heavyweights and the rest. The United manager said that clubs without bigger budgets would need to find another way.
"I think fortunately or unfortunately (transfer fees will rise)," he added. "Yes, it's whichever way you look at it for the game and for the growth of the players, for the infrastructure and the product for the fans to watch.
"Yes, it's going to be a positive, but obviously when that happens there's more expense that comes into it.
"The clubs that can afford it can continue to grow. The clubs that can't will have to find a different way."
Skinner said there was no frustration on his part over United having yet to sign anyone this month. He then gave an update on the contract situations of forward Alessia Russo and full-back Ona Batlle.
Both are yet to agree new deals at United, with their contracts expiring at the end of the season.
"If you know how agencies work, sometimes they have conversations before the legal time," he added. "These conversations have probably been ongoing for a while, but the reality for us is the players are very happy with what we’re doing at Manchester United.
"They understand where we are heading. There are parts we are continuing heavy negotiations with both Ona and Alessia. I am hopeful."
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