WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Is Ada Hegerberg going to sign for FC Barcelona Femení?
The Ballon d’Or winner is being linked to an astonishing move to Spain.
Reports have been revealed today that link Norway and Olympique Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg with what would be an explosive move to FC Barcelona Femení. The first ever women’s Ballon d’Or winner has reportedly been closely tracked by the Spanish side since last season and preliminary questions were also asked about a possible move to the Liga F.
Hegerberg is a legend in women’s football, and at just 27-years-old, she has already won 6 UEFA Women’s Champions Leagues, the inaugural Ballon d’Or Féminin, 7 French first division titles and 5 French cups. She is the highest scorer in Champions League history, has has the record for most goals in one season, and was the first player ever to score a hat-trick in the final of the competition.
Contracts renewals key for Catalans
For her country, Hegerberg stepped down from representing Norway in 2017 due to the treatment from the Norwegian federation regarding the women’s side. In March 2022, five years later, Hegerberg returned, scoring a hat-trick against Kosovo in her first game back.
FC Barcelona, according to the reports, while they have Hegerberg in their sights, want to confirm the renewals of key players already at the club before they move in the market. The names include Mapi León, Patri Guijarro, Mariona Caldentey and current Ballon d’Or holder, Alexia Putellas.
Barça have reportedly had 2 bids rejected for Hegerberg
Hegerberg has a contract that runs until 2024 and Barça ideally want to speak to her before the World Cup begins in July. The BBC report that Lyon have already rejected 2 bids for the forward from Barça over the past 12 months. Hegerberg, who has 212 goals in 198 games for Lyon, would represent a new profile of player in the squad that already contains the likes of Asisat Oshoala, Geyse, Bruna Vilamala and Salma Parralluelo.
The transfer window is open in France from 1 July 2023. Barcelona paid Manchester City a world-record €400,000 for English midfielder Keira Walsh in the summer of 2022: a move for Hegerberg could cost much more.