The women’s football transfer market is set to take a new turn as Chelsea are reportedly close to a world record move for USWNT defender Naomi Girama.

The 24-year-old was always going to be the story of the January window after rumors emerged that clubs in Europe were ready to fight for his signature. The San Diego Wave center back still has two years left on his contract with the NWSL club, so it became clear very quickly that interested clubs would have to submit a world-record bid to sign him.

Rachel Kundananji of Bay FC is currently the most expensive female footballer in history following her £685,000 move from Madrid CFF last February. A report from The Athletic claims this week Chelsea A deal worth £900,000 has been agreed to sign Girama this month, comfortably above the current record and by some distance.

It would be no surprise to see Chelsea in the market for a center this month after Canada international Kadesha Buchanan suffered an ACL injury earlier in the campaign. Sonia Bompaster currently relies on Nathalie Bjorn and Millie Bright as her two starting center backs, but increased depth was needed to allow them to compete on all four fronts.

To potentially sign a player of Girman’s caliber, however, is another story in itself. This is not just a player to come in and boost the current squad, this is someone capable of taking one of England’s most successful clubs to greater heights.

Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes’ words should be noted as Girama was one of the first players she singled out for praise shortly after taking charge of the USWNT last summer. “Look, she (Girma) is the best defender I have ever seen,” she told reporters during her Olympic campaign.

“I’ve never seen a player as good at running back as her. She has everything, composure, composure, she can defend, she anticipates, she leads. (She’s) unbelievable.”

Chelsea weren’t the only club pushing to sign him this month WSL Rivals Arsenal But according to long-term fans ESPN. French giants Lyon, owned by businesswoman Michelle Kang, were also heavily linked, but it is a testament to Chelsea’s pulling power and ambition that they have taken the lead in the race and are approaching the finish line.

During her college days, Girma played her football for the Stanford Cardinal and was then the first overall pick of the NWSL draft in 2022. In her first season, she was named the league’s Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year, while also making her senior debut for the USWNT.

In 2023, she helped the San Diego Wave to the NWSL Shield and was named Defender of the Year for the second straight year. The individual accolades speak for themselves, but her backcourt presence was also one of the main driving forces behind the USA’s quest for Olympic gold last summer as she played every minute of the tournament under Hayes.

Chelsea already have one of the strongest defenses in the WSL alongside Arsenal Manchester UnitedThey have scored just six goals in their 11 games so far this term. What Girma offers will undoubtedly make them a tougher unit to break down, but Opta has recorded the defender completing 91% of passes and just shy of five breakthrough passes per 90 over the last 365 days, suggesting she could be for real. . Also an asset in Chelsea’s build-up play.

While a sixth successive league title is one of the unprecedented goals for Bompster in his debut season as Chelsea boss, there is no denying that Champions League At the top of everyone’s wish list.

The last and only English team to win the competition was Arsenal back in 2007. Chelsea came very close under Hayes in 2021 when they were beaten by Barcelona in the final and the wait continues to this day.

Although this will be Girmano’s first taste of European football, his arrival will provide a significant boost to Chelsea as they look to rewrite the history books once again this season.

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