Chelsea agree deal to sign Keira Walsh from Barcelona | OneFootball

Chelsea have reportedly reached an agreement to sign England midfielder Keira Walsh on the final day of the Women’s Super League transfer window.

Earlier this month, the Blues paid a world record sum of £900,000 for American defender Naomi Girma, and Walsh’s signing makes her the second most expensive female footballer in the world.

The 27-year-old is expected to arrive in London for a medical on Thursday after Barcelona reportedly accepted Chelsea’s offer late on Wednesday night.

Walsh moved from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022 for a then-record £400,000 fee and in her time in Spain, she helped the club secure back-to-back league titles and Champions League trophies.

Barcelona were reluctant to let her go, but with her current deal due to expire in summer and Walsh informing the club she did not intend to renew her contract, Barcelona risked losing her on a free later this year.

Walsh had expressed interest to be closer to home, with reports suggesting Arsenal had also been interested in signing the Lioness.

Chelsea are yet to lose a game this season under new manager Sonia Bompastor, who replaced Emma Hayes in the summer.

They sit seven points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League table, and remain in all other cup competitions, with their eyes firmly set on Champions League glory, a feat they are yet to achieve.

With Girma and Walsh providing reinforcements in defence and midfield, Chelsea are showing their intent ahead of the Champions League knockout stages.

Chelsea will discover their quarter-final opponents on Friday, February 7, when the draw takes place.

They could be matched against one of the four group runners-up: Wolfsburg, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or Manchester City.

A reunion with her former club could happen sooner than planned for Walsh, as there is no country protection in the next round of the competition.

The WSL transfer window closes Thursday 30 January at 23:00 GMT.