Barcelona issue statement declaring Arsenal target is not available for transfer: report

The transfer saga involving Barcelona's Keira Walsh continues as Arsenal makes a move to bring the talented midfielder back to the Women’s Super League. Despite Barcelona reportedly insisting that the 27-year-old is not for sale and will not leave the club before Friday night’s transfer deadline, Arsenal remains determined to secure her services.

The England international joined Barcelona in 2022 for a then world-record fee from Manchester City after excelling in the WSL. She has since won back-to-back Liga F and Champions League titles in Catalonia, further establishing herself as one of the best players in the world.

Walsh has been linked with a move to Arsenal throughout the summer after it emerged that she wanted to return closer to home, despite her success in Spain. Chelsea were also rumoured to be interested, but it now seems almost certain she will remain with Barcelona.

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The Telegraph via football.london claims Barcelona are not willing to sell one of their star players, even though Walsh has less than a year remaining on her contract and has informed the club she will not be extending her stay.

That could mean Barcelona lose Walsh on a free transfer next year, rather than cashing in on interest this summer. The Liga F champions might have been tempted to sell had they bought a replacement, but such a deal has not materialised.

Walsh will likely stay at Barcelona for another season, by the end of which she will almost certainly have plenty of keen suitors, particularly if she wins more silverware.

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The former City player spoke positively of her time at Barcelona back in April. She said: "It's a special team to be a part of and I think the way they see the game has really helped me improve. I play a lot faster and see things differently.

"The main thing for me is defensively I have improved. My intensity off the ball is a lot better. A lot of people don't expect that when you come to Spain so much because you have so much possession, but that was one area that me and [coach] Jonatan [Giraldez] spoke about to focus on.

"Spanish players understand the game so well. People can talk about the competitive level, but if Barça played in other leagues, I still think they win most of the games quite comfortably. That is my opinion from playing with these players, who are all so special."

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