WSL transfer latest: Barcelona closing in on deal for Man City forward Kerolin in move worth £1.28m | Football News
Barcelona are close to signing Brazilian forward Kerolin from Manchester City for a fee of €1.5m (£1.28m).
The deal would represent the largest fee ever received by a WSL club, eclipsing Olivia Smith’s £1m move to Arsenal from Liverpool last summer.
Kerolin only joined City in January last year and had another two years left on her contract, but Barca are sufficiently determined to sign her to smash their own transfer record by more than 200 per cent.
Their previous most expensive transfer was then-Man City midfielder Keira Walsh, who joined in 2022 for a fee of €470,000 (£400,000).
The Spanish champions have already lost forward Salma Paralluelo this summer.
Kerolin scored nine goals in 15 WSL games for City last season to help them to their first WSL title since 2016.
Barcelona biting back after stars swap Catalonia for WSL
Analysis from Sky Sports News’ Callum Bishop:
Just months after Barcelona secured their European dominance yet again by winning all four major trophies available to them, including the Champions League, Barcelona watched their core being dismantled.
Two-time Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas was the headline departure, but she was joined by Mapi Leon in moves to London City Lionesses.
There was also defender Ona Batlle, who opted to join Arsenal. It is a big sign that the appeal of the WSL is growing and threatening to upset the apple cart in Catalonia.
However, the move for Kerolin is a statement of intent from Barcelona. They are the superpower in women’s football and, despite losing many of their stars, they still retain their own allure.
In targeting the Brazilian, Barcelona are looking to add some potency in attack. On the surface, Kerolin’s nine WSL goals last season may not blow you away. Team-mates Khadija Shaw (21) and Vivianne Miedema (10) both managed more.
However, Kerolin’s per-90 stats show just how potent she is. She ranked fifth in goals, second in assists and fourth in big chances converted. Had it not been for an injury she suffered in October, her numbers would no doubt have been more impressive. But the per-90 conversion shows just how important she was in City’s title charge and the calibre of player Barcelona would be getting.
