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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.
Posting a lengthy statement on Instagram on Wednesday evening, Kelly said: “For a long time I’ve tried to work through professional challenges privately, not commenting publicly, but with my situation increasingly being debated in the public domain, I feel it’s time to be open and transparent.
“A key lesson I have learned in my life is that whilst I can’t control someone’s negative behaviour towards me, I can control how long I am prepared to tolerate it.”
She added: With my contract expiring in June, I’ve accepted my future is not at this club beyond then. With the Euros fast approaching, this summer is a huge one and I want to be in a position to give it my best shot to represent my country. However, to be dictated whom I can and can’t join with only four months left of the football season is having a huge impact on not only my career but my mental wellbeing. The situation has dragged on far too long, it’s disappointing and not right”. Kelly concluded her statement by saying: “Ultimately I just want to be happy again.”
Manchester City are understood to be open to allowing Kelly to leave in this window and an offer is believed to be on the table.
