Arsenal failed with a world-record deadline day bid to sign England Lionesses star Keira Walsh from Barcelona.
Reports in Spain claim the offer totaled €1.1million, which equates to around £930,000 and would have shattered the transfer record in women’s football.
Walsh is reportedly keen to return to England, but Barcelona rejected Arsenal’s advancesGetty
Walsh joined Barcelona from Man City in 2022 for a then-world record fee of £400,000.
That transfer record stood for two years until it was broken by Real Madrid with the signing of Zambia‘s Racheal Kundananji from Bay FC for £685,000 in February.
The England midfielder has gone on to win back-to-back league and European titles with the Catalan giants, adding to her Women’s Euro 2022 title with the Lionesses.
She also won eight major trophies with City, including the Women’s Super League title in 2016.
Walsh only has a year left on her contract with Barcelona and is said to be keen on a return to the Women’s Super League.
Arsenal were keen to make that happen and willing to spend big to get the transfer over the line before Friday’s 11pm WSL transfer deadline.
However, Spanish outlet La Transmissió de la Gelma report Barcelona were not willing to sanction the deal so close to the end of their transfer window – with their deadline day coming on Monday – meaning Walsh has stayed put for now.
It has been widely claimed that Walsh has told Barcelona she does not intend to renew her contract with the club, making it likely she will leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Barcelona’s head coach Pere Romeu insisted on Thursday that Walsh would be going nowhere and the club has stood by the decision despite a huge bid from the Gunners.
“There’s no case for Keira leaving,” said the manager, whose side opened the season with a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad on Friday – with Walsh starting the game.
Walsh is a key player for Barca and played a major role in their double double of league and European titles in the middle of the parkGetty
Walsh has spent two years in Spain following her transfer from Man City, but is now thought to be keen on a return to the WSLGetty
“She’s been with us throughout pre-season and is a key player for us.
“She totally gets our style of play, is super professional, and has shown an amazing attitude and commitment from day one. So, we’re definitely counting on her this season.”
Arsenal’s rivals Tottenham were about to beat the deadline to sign a midfielder, though.
They landed Spanish star Maite Oroz from Real Madrid.
The transfer will be seen a huge coup given Los Blancos had only just made the 15-cap international, and the club’s second-highest appearance maker, a co-captain in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, there was another big move in the WSL as former Lionesses star Nikita Parris left Manchester United to sign for Brighton.
The 30-year-old striker joined United in August 2022 from side Arsenal and went on to score 25 goals across 57 appearances for the Red Devils.
Parris also lifted last season’s Women’s FA Cup with United, who triggered a 12 months extension in her contract to avoid losing her for nothing this summer.
