Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Khadija Shaw joined Manchester City from Bordeaux in 2021.
Chelsea have emerged as the frontrunners to secure the signature of striker Khadija Shaw on a free transfer, with her departure from Manchester City looking increasingly likely this summer. Contract renewal discussions have hit an impasse, and losing their leading scorer would be a major setback for City.
The news of Shaw’s impending exit broke just hours after City clinched their first Women’s Super League title in a decade. Despite optimistic contract talks early in the year and initial confidence from the club that a deal would be reached, frustrations have escalated. Chelsea, who won six consecutive WSL titles before City’s recent triumph, have identified the 29-year-old Jamaica international as their top summer transfer target.
City manager Andree Jeglertz expressed hope in April that Shaw would extend her contract, which expires in June. However, a disagreement over the length of the new deal is believed to have been the main obstacle. Chelsea are reported to have offered at least one additional year on the contract compared to what City were prepared to agree to.
Shaw initially had no intention of leaving and hoped to retire at City, but the breakdown in talks led her to consider other options. She has been the club’s top scorer for four consecutive seasons and is set to win her third straight WSL Golden Boot after scoring 19 goals in 21 appearances this season, with one league match still to play.
Manchester City declined to comment when approached by media.
Shaw will be in focus this weekend as City aim to add the FA Cup trophy to their WSL title. They travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to face Chelsea in the semi-finals, with the winner playing either Liverpool or Brighton in the final on 18 May.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor offered no hints about Shaw’s future when asked on Thursday. “I’m seeing reports of big players being linked to Chelsea and that’s normal,” she said. “We are ambitious and we want to have a lot of top players in our team. Bunny Shaw is playing for City, so it’s not for me to comment.”
When asked if Shaw would be on Bompastor’s personal wishlist, the manager added: “Who wouldn’t have her on their personal wishlist? Someone crazy, maybe! But again, I think we need to be respectful, as Bunny is playing for City this season. She is a great player, for sure.”
Bompastor also expressed confidence that Chelsea will have “an ambitious team” next season and emphasized the club’s ability to recruit well. Reports suggest Chelsea are prepared to offer Shaw up to £1 million per year, and Bompastor admitted that signing a number nine is a high priority.
“Yeah, if you analyze our season, some of the games we played, especially in the first half of the season, we didn’t have Sam Kerr back fully fit, Aggie Beever-Jones was struggling with injuries, and we didn’t have Mayra Ramirez for the full season,” she added. “If you compare that to Manchester City, Arsenal, and even Manchester United, and you ask them to play without their number nine or top scorer, I think it would have been completely different for them. That is our reality. We know at this level, for Chelsea, it is really important to have a number nine who is performing, playing fully fit, and is available.”
Could Shaw’s move boost Chelsea’s trophy hopes? This would be one of the most intriguing and remarkable transfers in the women’s game.
