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Big WSL summer: Putellas set for London City as Chelsea, Arsenal plot changes

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There are set to be more big moves in the WSL this summer, with Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas set to join London City Lionesses, while Chelsea and Arsenal are aiming to improve as they look to challenge for the title next season.

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Alexia Putellas celebrates after scoring Barcelona's second goal against Bayern Munich © Associated Press

There are set to be more big moves in the WSL this summer, with Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas set to join London City Lionesses, while Chelsea and Arsenal are aiming to improve as they look to challenge for the title next season.

Here, Sky Sports News reporter Anton Toloui looks at what might be on the horizon for WSL transfers...

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London City's grand plans

Could London City be signing a two-time Ballon d'or winner?

Alexia Putellas was tight lipped about her future after captaining Barcelona to another Champions League trophy over the weekend but the Spanish club have confirmed her departure and she is now set to make an eye-catching switch to London City Lionesses.

It's understood a contract offer's been on the table for some time and is far more than the terms being offered by the European champions.

Putellas, named Champions League Player of the Season, is also favourite to win the Ballon d'or later this year too.

Alexia Putellas celebrates after scoring Barcelona's second goal against Bayern Munich
Image: Alexia Putellas is set to leave Barcelona - and could be on her way to the WSL

With London City not in Europe next season, would Putellas be willing to lose a few months of buzz to earn the biggest payday of her career?

There is, of course, a high chance she moves to the capital and still win the world's biggest individual honour.

Her case may also be helped if London City get positive responses from out-of-contract duo Mapi Leon and Mary Earps this summer too.

Both have been approached by the highly ambitious club, who already count the likes of Kosovare Asllani and Grace Geyoro among their players.

Chelsea's No 9 search

Felicia Schroder has been linked with a move to Chelsea
Image: Felicia Schroder has been linked with a move to Chelsea

The plan was for Chelsea to sign Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw and a player seen as the best young striker in Europe to help dominate the WSL for years to come.

Shaw, obviously, threw a spanner in the works by opting to stay at Manchester City but Chelsea still want to go ahead with their plans for the other forward.

That player is Felicia Schroder. The 19-year-old scored 30 goals in Sweden last season and a hat-trick in the second leg of the Europa Cup final earlier this month.

Chelsea are prepared to offer her club Hacken around £1.5m - a world record fee - but a deal may not be as easy as presumed.

Schroder has a contract until 2029, she is set to play Champions League football at her Swedish club and wants to become her country's starting striker at the World Cup.

Would the latter happen if she starts her Chelsea career on the bench?

Arsenal's ins and outs

It's going to be a busy summer at Arsenal.

Deals to bring Georgia Stanway and Ona Batlle back to the WSL were agreed some time ago, it's just a case of getting everything confirmed.

Georgia Stanway playing for Bayern Munich
Image: Georgia Stanway has been linked with a move to Arsenal

Switzerland midfielder Geraldine Reuteler will also be moving to North London, while discussions with Selina Cerci - who scored 16 goals for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga Frauen this season - took place a while ago too.

As for the big-name departures, both Beth Mead and Katie McCabe will take their time before announcing their next moves.

McCabe, named in the WSL Team of the Season, has interest from Chelsea and Man City as well as clubs in the States.

Man City have looked into signing Mead, who faces a big year ahead of next summer's World Cup.

England head coach Sarina Wiegman admits the forward's next move could have a big impact on her chances of going to Brazil.

Mead had to fight for minutes during her final two years and only scored two WSL goals this season.

She'd be scrapping with Lauren Hemp, Mary Fowler, Vivianne Miedema, Kerolin and Auba Fujino if she moved to Manchester City.

Mead would back herself to make an impact in any squad but minutes could be vital to keep her England place.

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