Arsenal express interest in Barcelona’s Walsh

Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing England and Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh.

Walsh joined Barcelona from Manchester City in 2022 in a then world-record deal reported to be worth £400,000.

The 27-year-old, who won the quadruple with Barcelona this season, has a year left on her contract in Spain.

Walsh is the latest Lioness to be targeted by Arsenal after they signed Alessia Russo on a free transfer last summer following the expiry of her deal at Manchester United.

Arsenal finished five points adrift of champions Chelsea last season in the Women’s Super League, and the addition of a world-class midfielder like Walsh would boost their chances of closing the gap.

Keira Walsh celebrates at full-time
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Keira Walsh has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Barcelona

The Gunners already have Lia Walti in that deep-lying role that Walsh plays in for England and Barcelona, while Katie McCabe and Kyra Cooney-Cross can also fill in there.

Walsh, twice included in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World XI, started her career at Blackburn Rovers before signing for Man City in 2014.

She won the WSL title, three FA Cups and four Conti Cups across eight years at the club.

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window is officially open.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.