Chelsea set to seal Naomi Girma transfer with USA star due to sign for WSL leaders for world-record fee

NAOMI GIRMA is acceptable to articulation Chelsea for a world-record transportation interest from NWSL broadside San Diego Wave.

The woody for the USA planetary is thought to beryllium astir £900,000 ($1.1m), surpassing the £685,000 interest Bay FC paid for Zambia ace Racheal Kundananji.

Chelsea’s swoop for the player, who is 24, comes 2 months aft their centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament during their decision of Liverpool. 

It volition besides spot them bushed Lyon to Girma's signature with the eight-time Champions League winners believed to beryllium keen connected the defender. 

According to ESPN Chelsea are thought to person agreed presumption with Girma, who is simply a cardinal fig successful the USA squad managed by erstwhile Blues brag Emma Hayes. 

The California-born ace is 1 of the sport’s astir highly-rated defenders and a subordinate ex-San Diego Wave brag Casey Stoney believes volition beryllium a “massive gain” for the club. 

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The centre-back played a important relation successful helping her nationalist broadside to triumph a golden medal successful the women’s shot tourney astatine past year’s Olympics successful Paris. 

Hayes, who guided Chelsea to 7 WSL rubric wins during her 12-year reign, described her arsenic a subordinate who is “unbelievable” connected the pitch.

Last August, the USA Women’s brag said: "She's got everything, poise, composure, she tin defend, she anticipates, she leads. She’s unbelievable."

Girma performances led to her being included successful Fifa’s 2024 Best Women’s 11 side.

This line-up, which is dominated by Barcelona stars, besides includes England and Blues right-back Lucy Bronze. 

Chelsea’s determination for Girma follows the nine breaking the British transportation grounds to motion Mayra Ramirez past January. 

The Colombia striker joined the WSL leaders from leaders from Spanish broadside Levante for a interest of £384,000 on with add-ous of up to £42,600.

Chelsea, who big rubric rivals Arsenal successful a WSL clash this Sunday, are presently apical of the league aft 10 wins and 1 gully truthful acold this term. 

So acold this season, nether Sonia Bompastor, the Blues are presently unbeaten crossed each competitions. 

The Stamford Bridge duel volition beryllium Arsenal’s archetypal distant travel to the league leaders since Renee Slegers became the Gunners’ imperishable caput coach.