Chelsea poised to pull off deadline-day move for Keira Walsh from Barcelona
Chelsea poised to pull off deadline-day move for Keira Walsh from Barcelona
Share:
Chelsea are hoping to pull off a sensational deadline-day move to sign the England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona, the Guardian understands, as the Women’s Super League transfer window approaches a dramatic conclusion. The WSL champions and current leaders have held advanced negotiations with the European champions over a fee for Walsh, who previously set a world record for the most expensive transfer in the women’s game when she joined Barcelona from Manchester City in 2022.
Walsh has helped Barcelona win back-to-back Champions League titles in the past two seasons but her contract is set to expire in the summer. The 27-year-old was targeted by Arsenal last summer and was reportedly the subject of a bid from the north Londoners, who have been heavily linked with Walsh for several months.
Last Sunday, Chelsea broke the women’s world record to sign the United States defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for $1.1m US dollars, and Sonia Bompastor’s side lead the WSL table by seven points as they chase a sixth straight WSL title. Meanwhile ahead of Thursday’s 11pm deadline, another key Lionesses star could be on the move. Winger Chloe Kelly says she has accepted she has no future at Manchester City beyond the end of her current contract which expires in June, breaking her silence after weeks of speculation about her future.
The 27-year-old has been increasingly frozen out of the City side, making only one start in the WSL this season amid reports linking her with a move away from the club. She accused City of “dictating who she can and can’t join” and said the situation is impacting on her mental wellbeing.
