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Aston Villa have broken their transfer record on Women’s Super League deadline day by signing the Brazil forward Gabi Nunes from Levante for a fee understood to be about £250, 000. The 27-year-old, who has been capped 22 times, has signed a two-year deal and, according to sources, is a player whose qualities have been admired by the new Villa manager, Robert de Pauw. Brighton are understood to be on the verge of completing a deal to sign the England forward Nikita Parris from Manchester United before the 11pm deadline. The Sussex club have signed the Arsenal striker Michelle Agyemang on loan. Meanwhile, West Ham have announced that the Brighton right-back Li Mengwen has joined the club on a season-long loan. The 29-year-old made 11 appearances in the WSL last season, having joined the side from Chinese Women’s Super League side Jiangsu. However, she spent one season in France, on loan at Paris Saint-Germain, before joining Brighton. “I’m delighted to be joining West Ham United, ” Mengwen said. “It has felt like a bit of a rollercoaster over the last 24 hours as this decision happened very quickly, but now that I am here, I am so excited. “I feel very proud to be a Chinese player playing in the Barclays Women’s Super League, and I’m truly honoured to be the first Chinese player to play for West Ham United. I am a determined, resilient player who will never give up. ” The defender has won 23 caps for her country and featured at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 Women’s World Cup. She will wear the No 26 shirt in East London. Manager Rehanne Skinner said: “Mengwen has already shown an ability to compete in the Barclays Women’s Super League for Brighton and represent China on the international stage for a number of years, so we know we are bringing some invaluable experience to the team. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women’s football after newsletter promotion “Mengwen’s game understanding and professionalism, as well as her tenacity and desire to win are huge strengths to her game. Her skill set will fit our style of play perfectly, whilst complementing our existing defensive options within the squad. ”