The women's soccer transfer market looks set to take a new twist as Chelsea are said to be closing in on a world-record deal for USWNT defender Naomi Girma.
The 24-year-old was always going to be the story of the January window after rumors emerged suggesting clubs in Europe were ready to compete for her signature. The San Diego Wave centre-back still has a few years remaining on her contract with the NWSL club, so it became clear very quickly that interested clubs would have to come up with a world-record bid to sign her.
Rachel Kundanangi, who currently plays for Bay FC, is the most expensive women's footballer in history following her £685,000 move from Madrid FC last February. Report from The athlete He claims this week Chelsea They agreed a £900,000 deal to sign Girma this month, comfortably and some distance above their current record.
It's no surprise to see Chelsea in the market for a centre-back this month after Canadian international Kadisha Buchanan suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury earlier in the season. Sonia Bombastor currently relies on Nathalie Bjorn and Millie Bright as her starting centre-backs, but increased depth will be necessary to allow them to compete on all four fronts.
However, signing a player of Girma's caliber is another story in itself. This isn't just a player who has signed to join the current squad and take it forward, he is someone capable of taking one of the most successful clubs in England to greater heights.
It's worth noting the words of former Chelsea coach Emma Hayes, as Girma was one of the first players she singled out for praise shortly after taking charge of the USWNT last summer. “Look, she (Germa) is the best defender I've ever seen,” she told reporters during her Olympic campaign.
“I've never seen a player as good as her in defence. She has it all, poise, composure, can defend, anticipates, leads. (She's) unbelievable.”
Chelsea was not the only club that paid to sign her this month WSL Competitors Arsenal Also long-term fans, according to espn. French giant Lyon, owned by businesswoman Michelle Kang, has also been heavily linked, but it is a testament to Chelsea's strength and ambition that they have advanced in the race and are approaching the finish line.
Chelsea is preparing to break the world transfer record for women by signing Naomi Girma! 😲#BBC Football pic.twitter.com/AQviRpIXDN
– Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 22, 2025
During her college days, Girma played soccer for the Stanford Cardinal and was subsequently the first overall pick of the NWSL draft in 2022. In her senior season, she was named the league's Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year, while she was also named the League's Player of the Year Presented in the league. She debuted in the USWNT.
In 2023, she helped the San Diego Wave capture the NWSL Shield and was named Defender of the Year for the second year in a row. The individual accolades speak for themselves, but her presence on defense was also one of the main driving forces behind the United States' pursuit of an Olympic gold medal last summer as she played every minute of the tournament under Hayes.
Chelsea already have one of the strongest defenses in the Premier League, alongside Arsenal and Manchester Unitedhaving conceded only six goals in 11 matches so far this season. What Girma offers will undoubtedly make them a more difficult unit to break down, but Opta also record that the defender has a pass completion rate of 91% and has just under five progressive passes per 90 over the past 365 days, suggesting she can be a real player. An asset in Chelsea's build-up play as well.
While winning an unprecedented sixth consecutive league title is one of Bombastor's most important goals in her first season as Chelsea manager, it cannot be denied that UEFA Champions League At the top of everyone's wish list.
The last and only English team to win the competition was Arsenal in 2007. Chelsea came close to 2021 under Hayes when they lost in the final to Barcelona and the wait continues to this day.
Although this will be Girma's first experience of European football, there is no escape that her arrival provides a major boost for Chelsea as they look to rewrite the history books once again this season.
