Barça’s Keira Walsh has been the subject of a lot of speculation this window. What is going on and how are both parties (Walsh and Barça) handling it? Here is a look into the situation.
Achievements and the contract.
When Keira Walsh joined Barça in the summer of 2022, she had clear goals and motivations. One, help the team as much as she can and two, win trophies, notably the elusive Champions League. Fast forward to two years later, Keira Walsh is a two-time UWCL winner and an established starter in the Blaugrana team.
Understandably, it took her a few matches to get comfortable in the fast paced, possession based style of Barça Femení. Now, Walsh, a self-proclaimed Busquets fan, is easily the most comfortable player on the pitch. Passing, defending, and occasionally, scoring a long range screamer.
Recently, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding her contract with Barça Femení ending in the summer of 2025. Keira Walsh’s contract is one in a reasonably long list of very important contracts Barca would like to extend. That said, could this be the end of the journey between Barça and Keira Walsh?
Interest from the WSL.
Barça Femení sporting director Marc Vives was recently quoted stating that Keira Walsh’s, as with all the other contracts, is priority one for the club.
Multiple sources have reported Walsh’s desire to move closer to home, in England, citing among other things, personal reasons. Said reports also suggest she will not extend with Barça. That one of two scenarios is more likely; a move back to a WSL side with a world record transfer fee, or her contract runs out and she moves back to a WSL club on a free transfer.
Sources also confirmed to Blaugranagram that a part of Keira Walsh’s entourage did believe she was going to Arsenal earlier this summer. As we exclusively reported on X however, talks have since cooled down; neither Barça nor Keira’s reps are in concrete talks with Arsenal anymore.
Barça would sure love to get something in return for their most expensive player, should she move this summer. Arsenal is still interested and the elephant in the room is Chelsea, who per multiple sources would be willing to cough up the cash. It is hard to imagine Barça letting Walsh run out her contract for a free move. But the offers on the table at the moment are simply not good enough, reportedly.
What are the options?
Another possible move that has been overlooked is a potential swap deal with Manchester City. To cater for Keira’s personal reasons, Barça could explore a potential move that would benefit both parties. Barça has had a long-standing interest to bring back Laia Aleixandri and a swap deal with Keira would be a good deal. Obviously, Barça would have to sell the idea, and both Keira and City would have to buy it.
She has been trying to help the club get something in return as she reportedly doesn’t want to leave Barça high and dry. An extension has also not been completely ruled out because as Blaugranagram reported exclusively on X, the reasons are somewhat amicable. There is nothing making Walsh want to leave, and nothing making Barça try to get rid of her.
It’s just she is leaning more out than in at the moment. An understandable situation given Patri’s renewal, Engen’s continuity, Szymczak’s development and the fact that Barça could not guarantee a starting position for Walsh over the period of a longer contract.
A short-term contract renewal or a transfer before the end of her current contract are both options.
