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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Walsh into final year of Barcelona contract</li><li>Lionesses star wants WSL return</li><li>Arsenal and Chelsea could offer that</li></ul>

Lionesses star Keira Walsh keen on WSL return as Arsenal and Chelsea circle - but any deal with Barcelona before transfer deadline day will be difficult

Walsh is into the final year of the contract that she signed at Barcelona in the summer of 2022, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/england-star-walsh-completes-world-record-barcelona-transfer-from-man-city/blt8c41a7692403583e" target="_blank">when the club made her the most expensive player in women's football history at the time</a>. As a result, there has been speculation around her future throughout this summer and that is only continuing as Friday's transfer deadline for the Women's Super League approaches.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The England star has been superb for Barcelona since joining the club, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-aitana-bonma-league-of-their-own-winners-losers-quadruple-lyon-womens-champions-league-final/blt3dd75d360dff3543" target="_blank">helping them to win another Champions League title earlier this year</a>. She is a crucial player in midfield and so to sell her at any point would leave the Catalans light in the middle of the park, but especially now, with so little time to find a replacement for her before the transfer window closes.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

As such, Barca do not want to let Walsh go, despite knowing that the player will not renew her expiring contract in the next 12 months. That's according to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq6rede0130o" target="_blank">BBC Sport</a>, with journalist Emma Sanders providing an update on the Lionesses star on Thursday."Keira Walsh has a year remaining on her contract at Barcelona and has already informed the club she does not intend to extend because she is keen to return home for personal reasons," the report says. "That means Barca will either lose her on a free in 12 months' time or they could cash in on her this summer with several clubs interested."Arsenal have a longstanding interest, while Chelsea are in the market for a midfielder and would have the funds. The problem is that Barcelona do not want to sell. They are not prepared to name a price - though there's a general consensus that it would have to be a world-record fee should they consider any offer. We're at a bit of a stand-off, basically."

WHAT THE REPORT SAID

Further complicating any push for a transfer from Arsenal and Chelsea is the fact that Barcelona have a league fixture against Real Sociedad on Friday night, just a few hours before the WSL transfer deadline passes.

DID YOU KNOW?

Unless something significant happens in the next couple of days, it seems unlikely that the England star will be on the move this summer then, with her situation instead one to keep an eye on in 12 months' time. Before then, Barcelona will hope she can once again play her part in a fruitful season in Catalunya.

WHAT NEXT FOR WALSH AND BARCELONA?

Lionesses star Keira Walsh keen on WSL return as Arsenal and Chelsea circle - but any deal with Barcelona before transfer deadline day will be difficult | Goal.com

Lionesses star Keira Walsh is keen on a return to England but it&apos;s unclear if Arsenal or Chelsea could strike a deal with Barcelona this summer.