Juventus Women lead race to sign Hanna Bennison from Everton | OneFootball

Juventus are hopeful of signing the Everton midfielder Hanna Bennison but they are not alone in being interested in the Sweden international and may face a battle for her signature. The 21-year-old has one year remaining on her contract at Everton, whom she joined on a four-year deal in 2021, and negotiations are believed to still be ongoing regarding a transfer fee.

Bennison’s purchase from Rosengård in 2021 when she was then 18 was a new record transfer fee for Everton and was understood to be a “substantial” six-figure sum reportedly in excess of £150,000. That year the Swede topped the coveted NXGN list to be dubbed the “best young player in the world”, and there was much excitement surrounding her arrival on Merseyside.

In January 2022, a report published by Fifa assessing the transfer market for the previous calendar year specifically listed Bennison’s transfer to Everton as one of the five highest transfer fees paid across the women’s game, globally, during 2021.

Bennison featured in 20 of Everton’s 22 Women’s Super League fixtures last term, starting 16 of those. In total she has made 63 league appearances for the club over three campaigns, scoring five WSL goals.

Despite her undeniable talent and potential, there is a perception that her career has not yet kicked on as initially envisaged when she moved to England three years ago. Nonetheless, Bennison was still a part of the Sweden side that finished third at last summer’s World Cup.

Everton are set to sign the Nigeria forward Toni Payne and the Spain midfielder Inma Gabarro. The Sevilla duo were highlighted early in the year as being key targets for this summer’s transfer window.

The WSL transfer window officially opened on Monday and will remain open until 13 September, before the new season begins on 21-22 September.

Header image: [Photograph: Emma Simpson/Everton FC/Getty Images]