Chelsea are set to sign England right-back Lucy Bronze and Spain youth international midfielder Júlia Bartel, both from Barcelona on free transfers.
It’s understood the arrival of 20-year-old Bartel, who has been tipped as one of the best young players in Europe, is imminent and her move could be confirmed by Chelsea within the next 24-to-36 hours, while an agreement is also believed to be in place for Bronze to join Sonia Bompastor’s side.
Bronze, whose departure from Barcelona was announced by the Catalan club on 27 June after she helped them win a second consecutive Champions League crown, has been coveted by clubs all over the world but is understood to have been an important summer target for the Women’s Super League champions because of her vast experience and renowned winning mentality.
Capped 123 times by England, the 32-year-old was a Euro 2022 winner and a World Cup finalist in 2023 and she has undoubtedly been one of the Lionesses’ best performers across the past decade. Bronze won the Fifa best women’s player of the year award in 2020 and has won five Champions League titles across her career. That is the only major trophy that has so far eluded Chelsea, despite their domestic dominance during much of the past nine years.
In adding the exciting youngster Bartel, Chelsea are looking to the future with long-term planning but are also understood to believe she can make an impact in the first team in the coming season. Bartel made her senior debut for Barcelona as a 17-year-old in 2021 and has helped Spain win two Under-19 European Championships, as well as the 2022 Under-20 World Cup.
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The duo’s moves to London from the Catalan side come swiftly off the back of Arsenal’s addition of Spain forward Mariona Caldentey, announced on Tuesday morning, which was also similarly a free transfer from Barcelona.
Source: theguardian.com
