Double Champions League winner set to join Chelsea from Barcelona in stunning deadline day swoop

While Chelsea’s men’s team struggle to get a single signing over the line this January – and in fact have almost as much trouble in shifting some of the players who they’ve had up for sale for 6 months, the women’s team are about to complete a second huge deal of the window.

USA international defender Naomi Girma joined the club for a record £900,000 fee, and now Keira Walsh is set to join her, with Barcelona having accepted a deal worth a reported £800,000 once all add-ons are considered.

The deal should be finalised today, with the former Man City player flying back to England to complete a medical before tonight’s 11pm deadline. What makes that fee even more impressive was the fact that Walsh had just 6 months to go on her deal in Barcelona, and would have been available on a free in the summer.

The 27 year old moved to Catalonia in 2022 for a then record fee of £400,000, showing how quickly financial records are being broken in the women’s game.

Women’s team mend the roof while the sun shines with two elite additions

Chelsea Women are miles clear at the top of the league under new manager Sonia Bompastor, and look a lock to win the WSL. But they’re not resting on their laurels, instead making these two huge swoops to improve their team further.

Walsh has 80 England caps and was a vital part of the Euro 2022 winning team, and well as picking up further trophies in Barcelona and in England before that. Her signing is another huge statement from Chelsea, who are determined to continue to push to win a Champions League.

She’s one of the most significant figures in the English women’s game, and it’s hard to overstate how impressive and surprising a move this is from Chelsea.