Arsenal sign Barbora Votikova on loan as Everton close on Zara Kramzar

• Votikova to provide much-needed goalkeeper cover

• Chelsea offer for Jennifer Echegini rejected by PSG

Arsenal have signed the Czech Republic goalkeeper Barbora Votikova on loan from Slavia Prague for the rest of the season.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain player will provide valuable cover in goal, with Manuela Zinsberger having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in October and Anneke Borbe being stretchered off during Sunday’s Champions Cup final victory over Corinthians following a collision. Borbe was discharged from hospital later that day.

Votikova is experienced in the Champions League and has 56 senior international caps. “It feels amazing to join this special club,” said the 29-year-old. “Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a special team and special supporters, so it’s a huge honour for me to come here.”

Everton are hoping to sign the Slovenia midfielder Zara Kramzar from Roma on loan for the remainder of the season. She would become their third loan addition of this window so far, after the experienced Manchester United full-back Hannah Blundell and the young Arsenal midfielder Laila Harbert.

Most Women’s Super League clubs completed their winter business early so the rush for the 11pm deadline is expected to be far less frantic than in recent windows. In September, a flurry of last-minute deals went through, including Chelsea’s signing of Alyssa Thompson. This time, Chelsea have had an offer rejected by Paris Saint-Germain for the Nigeria midfielder Jennifer Echegini and sources have told the Guardian that move is off.

Leicester have inquired about taking the England youth international midfielder Lexi Potter on loan, but Chelsea were not willing to sanction that because they have not been able to sign Echegini.

London City Lionesses are on the verge of signing the Denmark youth international midfielder Malou Marcetto from Madrid CFF. Continue reading...