Leicester City Close in on Sarah Mayling Loan as Talks Open for Ashleigh Neville

Leicester City is looking busy as the January 2026 transfer window kicks off. The club is really aiming to beef up their defensive options. They have completed a loan deal for Aston Villa full-back Sarah Mayling until the end of the season. And they’re also in talks for Tottenham‘s experienced defender Ashleigh Neville.

Two Key Targets for Leicester’s Defence

It’s a really interesting time for Leicester. Rick Passmoor, their manager, he’s clearly targeting experience this January. That’s what the talk is all about. the club has agreed a loan move for Sarah Mayling, who plays full-back for Aston Villa. This would be a big move for them.

Mayling’s arrival would add some real depth to Leicester’s backline. You need that kind of competition, you know. Meanwhile, the club is in talks to sign Ashleigh Neville from Tottenham.. This would be a permanent deal for the 32-year-old wing-back, according to BBC Sport.

Ashleigh Neville’s Experience and Impact

She’s been with Tottenham for almost a decade. That’s a long time to stay at one club. She was there when they first joined WSL 2 back in the 2017-18 season. That’s how long she’s been around, really.

She helped Spurs get promoted to the WSL in 2019. And she was part of the squad that reached their first Women’s FA Cup final in 2024. That’s a good track record. Neville has played 191 times for Tottenham in total. So, she brings a ton of WSL experience with her. Rick Passmoor clearly thinks that’s what Leicester needs.

The January 2026 Transfer Landscape

This transfer window, January 2026, it’s shaping up to be quite active across the Women’s Super League. Teams are definitely looking to make moves. The Women’s Football Talk tracker has been keeping tabs on everything.

We’re seeing some interesting ins and outs already. Arsenal, for instance, they’ve brought in Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby IF. Chelsea has loaned out Maika Hamano to Tottenham. And Manchester United, they’ve signed Hanna Lundkvist and Lea Schüller. So, Leicester isn’t the only club making plays. It’s a busy time for everyone.

What These Moves Mean for Leicester

Bringing in players like Mayling and Neville really signals Leicester’s intentions. They’re not just looking to survive in the WSL. No, they want to compete, you know? Mayling on loan, that’s a good short-term fix. She’s a full-back, and Villa will probably want her to get more minutes.

Neville, on a permanent deal, that’s a long-term play. Her experience, her leadership, it’s gonna be invaluable for the squad. It shows Passmoor is building for the future. He’s adding players who’ve been there, done that, in the top flight.

Aston Villa, they’re always in the transfer mix too, looking at their own ins and outs. You can check the Sky Sports live blog for their rumors. But right now, the focus is really on Leicester grabbing these two.

These moves could really help Leicester make a push in the second half of the season. Getting experienced defenders is key. It helps stabilize the team. And it gives younger players a chance to learn, too. So, all in all, it’s looking like a productive January for Leicester City.