Keira Walsh, the England midfielder, is in line to make a transfer-deadline-day move from Barcelona to Chelsea.
Telegraph Sport understands that Walsh is expected to undergo a medical with the Women’s Super League side on Thursday.
Walsh joined Barcelona from Manchester City on the summer deadline day of 2022 in what was a then record £400,000 move. The midfielder was the subject of a world-record bid from Chelsea’s rivals Arsenal in September but Barcelona refused to sell.
The Spanish club have been reluctant to allow Walsh to move this month, but it is understood a deal with Chelsea is close.
Walsh has won back-to-back European and Spanish league titles with Barcelona and their manager, Pere Romeu, said she was an important and key player for the club.
Walsh is in the last year of her contract and would be available on a free transfer in the summer. The 27-year-old has expressed her desire to return to the WSL and is keen on joining the reigning champions.
Chelsea signed United States defender Naomi Girma in a record £900,000 transfer earlier this month and will be expected to pay a sizeable fee for Walsh.
Arsenal were also interested in Girma and losing out on both her and Walsh would represent a significant blow. Walsh was viewed as a key target for Renee Slegers’s side, but they may now be forced to look at alternative options.
Chelsea are seven points clear at the top of the WSL table and have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
They are unbeaten since Sonia Bompastor took over from Emma Hayes last summer and took a step closer to securing another title with a 1-0 victory over Arsenal last weekend.
Clubs have until 11pm on Thursday to complete their transfer business.
