Well this certainly wasn’t on our summer bingo card.
Barcelona legend, two-time Ballon d’Or winner and women’s football icon Alexia Putellas looks set to sign for London City Lionesses, in a move that would instantly become one of the biggest transfers in Women’s Super League history. A signing that felt unfathomable until, roughly, two hours ago.
The Guardian reports that Putellas has agreed personal terms with London City, with the 32-year-old Spain midfielder expected to move to England after her Barcelona contract expired last month. The deal has not yet been formally announced by the club, but if completed, it would be a seismic coup for a side still new to life in England’s top flight.
London City finished sixth in their debut WSL campaign. Yet under Michele Kang’s ownership, they are moving with the confidence of a club that has no interest in waiting politely for relevance. The Guardian says Putellas has been impressed by the club’s ambition, while London City are also reportedly close to deals for Mary Earps and Mapi León.
After breaking the women’s football transfer record last September to sign Grace Geyoro from PSG, Kang is clearly not hanging about.
Clubs across Europe and beyond would have been queuing at the door for Putellas. Instead, she appears to have chosen something more interesting than the safest trophy machine.
Her Barcelona exit closed one of the great modern football eras, departing as a free agent after helping the club win another Champions League title. Barcelona described her as a “benchmark on and off the pitch” — an understatement for a player who helped turn Barça Femení into the global standard-setter.
40 senior trophies and counting
Born in Mollet del Vallès, Catalonia, Putellas came through Sabadell, Barcelona and Espanyol youth setups before senior spells with Espanyol and Levante. She returned to Barcelona in 2012 and became the face of their modern dynasty.
Her Barcelona record stands at 508 appearances and 232 goals in all competitions, making her the club’s all-time top scorer, while her Spain tally stands at 147 caps and 42 goals.
The honours sheet is ridiculous. Putellas has won 40 senior trophies across club and country, including 10 Spanish league titles, four Women’s Champions Leagues, 10 Copa de la Reina titles, the 2023 World Cup and two UEFA Nations Leagues with Spain.
Then come the individual awards: two Ballon d’Or Féminin titles, two FIFA Best Women’s Player awards and two UEFA Women’s Player of the Year awards, among many others.
Can London City Crash the Top-Four Club?
This move shows the WSL is no longer just about Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United having first pick of the best players.
Putellas is clearly buying into something bigger than a global club name. London City are independent, ambitious and moving differently. With Putellas, they get more than elite footballing quality. They get gravity. Sponsors listen differently. Players answer calls faster.
For a league already stacked with global talent, this is the kind of signing that could shift perception outside the established top-four club.
There is risk, too. London City are not in Europe next season, and Putellas has spent most of her career inside one of the most dominant winning teams the sport has ever seen. But that is what makes the move so fascinating.
You simply cannot underestimate the impact a player of this quality could have on a club like London City. With more major signings reportedly on the horizon, the question now feels real: is it finally time for the WSL’s top-four party to get broken up?
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