Keira Walsh: Will midfielder move to Arsenal in WSL January transfer window? | OneFootball

The opening of the Women's Super League's (WSL) January transfer window has reignited rumours once more that Keira Walsh could make a move to Arsenal.

The midfielder's contract with Liga F giants Barcelona expires this summer, and it's understood she's on the hunt for a new club. The 27-year-old first signed with the Catalan club following England's success winning Euro 2022, departing Manchester City for a then world-record price of £400,000.

After speculation first began in 2023, 90min examines the timeline of reporting to weigh up the likelihood of Walsh being north-London bound...

July 2023 - Arsenal express first interest in Walsh

SKN St. Pölten v FC Barcelona - UEFA Women's Champions League 2024/25 Group Stage MD4 / Christian Bruna/GettyImages

News of a potential move to Arsenal by Walsh first began in the summer of 2023, following reports from Arsenal correspondent Tim Stillman.

Stillman told Arseblog News: "Arsenal wanted a defensive midfielder all summer. I was told at the beginning of the window that Keira Walsh was a serious target but that was a complicated deal to do for obvious reasons."

However, after penning a three-year deal with Barcelona in the summer of 2022, a move to the Gunners was out of the question at this point in time.

The club then went on to strike a deadline-day deal with Australia's Kyra Cooney-Cross, finalising their search for a defensive midfielder over the 2023 summer window.

June 2024 - Gunners retain interest one year later

Arsenal remained keen on Walsh / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

Rumours then emerged once more a year later, after The Athletic reported that Arsenal continued to maintain their interest in Walsh.

"Barcelona see Walsh as an important part of their team and would demand a large transfer fee from Arsenal should they pursue the midfielder," they detailed. "Indeed, the north London club may be interested but whether a fee or contract can be agreed is another matter."

This news broke just weeks before the Gunners were able to strike a deal with Walsh's Barcelona teammate Mariona Caldentey, who departed after 10 years.

July 2024 - Walsh spotted in summer training with Arsenal

The social-media-verse was buzzing as Walsh was spotted in a summer training camp with Arsenal and England star Declan Rice. The midfield counterparts were seen training hard in the Dubai heat, reigniting the rumours of a potential move to north-London.

September 2024 - Barcelona reject world-record bid from Gunners

Arsenal finally make a bid for the England international / George Wood/GettyImages

The most notable twist of the saga came when it was confirmed that Barcelona had formally rejected a world-record bid from Arsenal in the dying stages of the 2024 summer window.

Arsenal had placed a desperate £930,000 bid, to which Barcelona firmly declined. The sum would have once again made Walsh the most expensive transfer in women's football history, a feat that Barcelona had achieved just two years prior for less than half the price.

"There's no case for Keira leaving. She's been with us throughout pre-season and is a key player for us," expressed Barcelona head coach Pere Romeu.

Despite the Spanish teams adamance that Walsh will see out her contract in Spain, BBC Sport reported that the England star "has already informed the club she does not intend to extend [in the summer] because she is keen to return home for personal reasons".

October 2024 - Walsh pays a visit to Emirates Stadium

Walsh visits Emirates Stadium / Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages

Despite the failed bid, the case seemed far from closed when the midfielder was spotted in the stands for the opening match of the WSL season between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium.

Fans reignited their speculation as Walsh sat alongside Leah Williamson's family as the match played out.

So, should Arsenal persist with their interest to sign Walsh?

Whilst there is no further speculation that Walsh is bound for a move to north-London during the current transfer window, there is a strong case for why the move may be plausible.

Arsenal are now entering the business end of the 2024/25 campaign. They are preparing for the quarter-final stages of the UEFA Women's Champions League, whilst debuts in both the Adobe Women's FA Cup and League Cup loom on the horizon. Currently seven points adrift from Chelsea at the top of the WSL standings, the league seems improbable, however the club will certainly be eager to lockdown a top-three spot and secure European qualification.

Because of this, Arsenal would be missing out on a huge opportunity if they were not to maintain interest in Walsh. The closing stages of last year saw Renee Slegers stuck for defensive midfield options after both Kim Little and Lia Walti were sidelined with injuries. This meant that Cooney-Cross and Caldentey were forced to drop deep, and although it worked, this is far from desirable going forward.

Playing Caldentey deep in the midfield is a decent option, but it also means she can't work her magic further up the pitch. Little and Walti have been known to pick up injuries, so Walsh's arrival could significantly bolster the Gunners midfield.

If Barcelona are adamant that she is not for sale, Arsenal may have to hedge their bets and wait until the summer to snap Walsh up for free. But as one of the best defensive midfielders trots the globe as a free agent, she may just fall out of reach if they don't act now.