Barcelona have re-entered talks with Manchester City over the signing of midfielder Keira Walsh for a potential world record fee.
The Spanish transfer window closes on Wednesday so the Spanish club are facing a race against the clock to broker a deal in time. City are reluctant to lose one of their star assets, having rejected three offers already in this window.
Chelsea forward Pernille Harder currently holds the record for the highest transfer fee in history at €250,000 but it is believed any move for Walsh would smash that record with a seven-figure fee.
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Walsh was part of the England team that stormed their way to Euro 2022 glory in July and her impressive performances played a huge role in securing the Lionesses their first major title. Her standout moment from the tournament was when she played a perfect long ball for teammate Ella Toone to score in the final against Germany in front of a packed out Wembley Stadium.
As the Women’s Super League starts this weekend, City will be reluctant to lose Walsh so close to the season opener but they are reportedly looking at potential replacements because the player is believed to be keen on the move. She would join her Lionesses teammate Lucy Bronze in swapping Manchester for Barcelona this summer if she were to get her move.
City’s reluctance to let her leave comes after boss Gareth Taylor lost a handful of key players over the summer including Bronze, Georgia Stanway and Caroline Weir.
Since making her City debut in July 2014, Walsh has made 189 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals. She has 49 caps for England.
Manchester City’s season kicks off with a home clash against last year’s runners’ up Arsenal on Saturday 10 September at 7pm.
