04 January 2024 , 11:18
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Arsenal have cooled their pursuit of Mary Earps after failing with a world-record bid last year with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid now leading the race for England's No.1.
Earps' current contract with Manchester United runs out in the summer when she will become available on a free transfer. After protracted contract negotiations with United, the 30-year-old does not look likely to sign a new deal with the club, leaving the door open for a major coup of the summer's Golden Glove winner.
With the opening of the January transfer window, Earps is now free to speak to rival clubs about procuring her signature upon the expiry of her contract with United. Earps has reportedly spoken to several clubs about a summer move, including PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona, with interest piquing from elsewhere around Europe.
The goalkeeper sparked recent headlines upon the news that she switched representation to A&V Sports, a firm that also represents stars like Chelsea ’s Sam Kerr and Catarina Macario and Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg.
World-record bid rejected
Last year's summer window was plunged into high-drama as the Gunners lodged a world-record bid for a women's goalkeeper worth more than £100,000 in a bid to pry Earps away from WSL rivals United following the Women's World Cup.
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United rejected the offer, despite mounting concern that Earps could be the latest high-profile star to depart the club for nothing. The club's hierarchy had hoped to secure Earps' services for the future.
The shot-stopper was integral to helping United to a first-ever FA Cup final and highest-ever league finish.
Earps looks likely to depart Manchester United amid an ongoing contract saga (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)Arsenal cool interest
Despite the rejected bid, Arsenal were largely considered the front-runners to secure Earps' signature this summer.
Arsenal have been searching for competition for current club No.1 Manuela Zinsberger. The leap from United to Arsenal is well travelled recently, with Alessia Russo joining the north London side for free after a rocky contract saga.
However, Arsenal are believed to have cooled their interest in Earps, who would likely command one of the largest salaries in women's football given her remarkable rise to the pinnacle of the women's game.
In 2023, Earps was named Best FIFA Goalkeeper, the WSL Golden Glove winner, the World Cup Golden Glove winner and England Player of the Year. She also finished fifth in the Ballon d’Or voting.
Europe becoming likely landing spot
Earps has made clear her intentions of playing consistent Champions League football, a feat which could be aided heavily by swapping to a European club.
French giants Paris Saint-Germain have had Earps on their radar for some time, as have Spanish behemoths Real Madrid and Barcelona.
It's reported that PSG, who prematurely ended United's historic Champions League campaign in the second round of qualifying, lead the race for Earps' signature.
Real Madrid present a particularly interesting prospect, as a move for Earps could result in the departure of Spain No.1 Misa Rodriguez, whose contract also expires in the summer.
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What Earps has said
After being crowned this year’s BBC Sport Personality of the Year, Earps admitted she has remained tight-lipped regarding her United future and labelled some of the speculation surrounding her future as ‘untrue and unjust’, though she refused to make any commitments.
"I don't know what happens currently," she told BBC Sport after being crowned the SPOTY winner. She added: "What I will say is there is a lot of stuff that's been put out there that isn't true. I've remained quiet for a reason.
"I feel I've behaved really professionally and with a lot of integrity through this whole situation. I play with heart and passion in everything I do and I drive standards. A lot of stuff that's been put out, isn't true.
"I want to say more but I can't at this stage and it's really hard for me to sit [and be] quiet when I see a lot of things that are not right. "I think it's an injustice but I know the appropriate thing to do is focus on my football and see what happens from there.”
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