Chelsea are reportedly close to completing a dramatic deadline-day deal to sign England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona. The move would mark another bold transfer for the WSL champions, who are currently leading the Women’s Super League (WSL) and are pursuing a sixth consecutive title. Advanced negotiations have taken place between Chelsea and Barcelona over a transfer fee for Walsh, who previously set the record for the most expensive transfer in women’s football when she moved from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022.
Walsh has been a pivotal figure for Barcelona, helping the club win two back-to-back UEFA Women’s Champions League titles in recent seasons. However, her contract with the Spanish giants is set to expire at the end of the current season, which has led to speculation about her future. Arsenal had expressed interest in Walsh last summer, with reports suggesting they made a bid for the 27-year-old. However, it appears that Chelsea are now in pole position to secure her services.
The potential signing of Walsh would come on the back of Chelsea’s recent acquisition of USA defender Naomi Girma, who was brought in from San Diego Wave for a world-record £890,000. The move for Walsh would further strengthen Chelsea’s squad as they continue their pursuit of domestic and European glory.
In another development ahead of the transfer window deadline, Chloe Kelly has spoken out about her future at Manchester City. The England international winger, whose contract is set to expire in June, has said she has accepted that her time at the club is coming to an end. Kelly has found herself increasingly sidelined at City, making just one start in the WSL this season. Speculation surrounding her future has been rampant, with various clubs reportedly interested in securing her services.
In an emotional statement posted on Instagram, Kelly opened up about her struggles with her current situation, revealing the mental toll it has taken on her. She described how she had tried to work through her professional challenges privately but felt compelled to speak out given the growing public interest in her situation. Kelly explained that, with her contract set to expire in a few months, she had come to terms with the fact that her future lies elsewhere. She expressed her frustration with how City has handled her situation, claiming that the club has been dictating where she can and cannot go, despite the limited time remaining on her contract.
The winger’s statement highlighted the impact that the ongoing uncertainty has had on her well-being, with Kelly emphasizing that it was affecting not just her career but her mental health. As the European Championship looms this summer, Kelly has made it clear that she wants to ensure she is in the best possible position to represent England, and continuing in a situation where she feels unsupported would not allow her to do that. Her frustration was palpable as she said that the situation had dragged on for far too long and was both disappointing and unfair. Ultimately, Kelly expressed a desire to regain her happiness, which she feels has been compromised by the current state of affairs.
It is believed that Manchester City are now open to allowing Kelly to leave the club during this transfer window, and discussions are ongoing with interested parties. With just a few days remaining before the transfer deadline, it remains to be seen whether Kelly will be able to secure a move that will allow her to reignite her career and prepare for the upcoming Euros.
These developments highlight the ongoing changes and uncertainties in women’s football, with top players such as Walsh and Kelly facing crucial decisions about their futures. Both players have been key figures in their respective teams, and their potential moves would represent significant shifts in the WSL and international football landscape. As the transfer window draws to a close, the fate of these players will become clearer, and the future of women’s football in England and beyond will continue to evolve.
