Manchester United: Which team could Ona Batlle join after rejecting new contract? | OneFootball

Manchester United fans were left disappointed after The Athletic reported that Ona Batlle had rejected a new contract.

The full-back has become the first name on the starting line-up since joining the Red Devils in 2020, and at 23-years-old, is now one of the hottest prospects in women’s football.

Batlle’s contract with Manchester United is up this summer, and although negotiations have been ongoing with the club since September, she is allegedly not happy with the wage offers she has received.

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According to The Athletic, Batlle is among the lowest-paid players at Manchester United, despite being one of the team’s key players. The Spaniard is reportedly being offered more than double what the Red Devils have proposed by other clubs in Europe.

As such, Batlle could be tempted away from Manchester this summer, and there are plenty of suitors battling for her signature. GiveMeSport Women takes a look at where she could be heading.

Arsenal were chasing star striker Alessia Russo during the January transfer window, but they are reportedly interested in bringing in her Manchester United teammate Batlle too.

While the Gunners already have Laura Wienroither and Noelle Maritz in the right-back position, the latter has fallen out of favour and looked shaky when playing against Manchester City this month.

Batlle would certainly be seen as an upgrade by Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall, so it makes sense that she is on his radar.

Chelsea

Chelsea are the other Women’s Super League side allegedly considering making a bid for Batlle.

Again, while the side have talented right-backs such as Niamh Charles and Eve Perisset, Batlle is up there with the world’s best in the position. It would be a no-brainer for Emma Hayes to sign the Manchester United star and bolster her title-winning squad.

Barcelona

According to women’s football journalist Graham Falk, Barcelona is one of three clubs most interested in Batlle.

This is no surprise, particularly because Batlle grew up near Barcelona and was scouted by the club when she was just 11 years old.

In addition, if the defender is looking to win more trophies, then Barcelona is the club to join. The side is one of the most dominant forces in Europe, and is a favourite to win the Champions League every season.

Lyon

Lyon is another team touted by Falk to be most interested in signing Batlle.

It is also another club which can offer Batlle trophies galore, with the eight-time Champions League winners considered one of the European heavyweights.

It would be an interesting battle for a starting place at Lyon, however, with full-back Ellie Carpenter recently signing a four-year contract with the club.

Paris Saint-Germain

Another club allegedly in the conversation is Paris Saint-Germain, who have long been battling to overthrow Lyon’s dominance in France.

But yet again, PSG already have a world-class right-back in Ashley Lawrence. Lyon’s superiority could mean a lack of trophies for Batlle too, although her talent could help give the Parisian team the edge.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich are the team most in need of a high-calibre right-back, which explains why they are the third side named by Falk as the most interested in Batlle.

Since Giulia Gwinn ruptured her ACL for a second time in October, Bayern have had to rely on Tainara and Maximiliane Rall at right back.

Batlle would be an ideal replacement for Gwinn, but the young star might need more convincing to head to Germany.

While Bayern are a talented team, they are often outperformed by Wolfsburg in the Frauen-Bundesliga and heavyweights such as Barcelona and Chelsea in the Champions League.

Manchester United

Of course, Batlle could well decide to stay at Manchester United and sign a new contract later this season. She is reportedly happy at the club, and with qualification for the Champions League looking likely, this could persuade her to stay.

Money does seem to be a sticking point in negotiations, however, so it could all come down to this.

The calibre of clubs after Batlle shows she is one of the very best right-backs in the world, so Manchester United would really need to offer her a contract which reflects this for her to stay.