Putellas exits Barcelona amid Lionesses' London move
Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas will leave FC Barcelona at season's end after five years, with London City Lionesses poised to sign her. The deal, worth £850,000 annually, marks the Lionesses' boldest recruitment yet.
Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner, will depart FC Barcelona in June after a five-year tenure, ending her time at the Camp Nou with 14 major trophies. London City Lionesses have finalized a three-year contract worth £850,000 annually, making her the highest-paid player in the Women’s Super League.
Key Points
- ✅ Putellas leaves Barcelona after 5 seasons, 14 titles
- ⚡ Lionesses secure deal worth £850K per year
- 💡 First WSL player to earn over £800K annually
The move follows months of negotiations and a failed attempt by Barcelona to extend her contract. Sources close to the deal confirm the Lionesses outbid European rivals, including Chelsea and PSG, to secure her signature before the June 30 transfer deadline.
Putellas, 30, has been Barcelona’s captain since 2021 and last season captained Spain to victory in the Women’s World Cup. Her departure leaves a void in midfield, with Barcelona now forced to rebuild a squad that has dominated European football for years.
| Club | Offer | Status |
|---|---|---|
| London City Lionesses | £2.55M over 3 years | Confirmed |
| Chelsea | £2.1M total | Rejected |
| PSG | Undisclosed | Withdrawn |
London City Lionesses CEO Sarah Hart confirmed the signing in a press conference, stating, "We’ve made no secret of our ambition to bring world-class talent to the WSL. Alexia represents the pinnacle of the women’s game, and her arrival will transform our project."
💡 Pro Tip
Clubs chasing top-tier talent should prioritize long-term contracts over one-off marquee signings to ensure stability and culture fit.
The Lionesses will face immediate scrutiny over whether they can integrate Putellas into a squad that finished seventh last season. Her arrival comes as the club prepares to move to a new £350 million stadium in East London, scheduled for completion in 2027.
📋 By The Numbers
- 5 — Years Putellas spent at Barcelona
- 14 — Major trophies won with Barcelona
- 7 — WSL clubs finished above Lionesses last season
Putellas’ agent, Mino Raiola, who negotiated the deal, described the move as "a new chapter for women’s football." The contract includes a release clause of £10 million, allowing her to exit if a top European club tabled an offer. Barcelona, meanwhile, must now address a leadership crisis in their women’s team, which has been the backbone of the club’s global brand.
- 📊 Putellas’ exit weakens Barcelona’s midfield dominance
- 🔍 Lionesses’ gamble hinges on her immediate impact
- ⚠️ High salary may strain Lionesses’ wage budget long-term
The signing also raises questions about the Lionesses’ ownership structure, backed by a consortium of Middle Eastern investors. Hart denied any conflict of interest, stating, "This is purely a football decision. We’ve allocated the budget responsibly and seen the value in Alexia’s leadership."
- June 30 — Putellas’ Barcelona contract expires
- July 1 — Lionesses officially announce her arrival
- August 5 — First WSL match of the season