Chelsea transfer news: USA defender Naomi Girma targeted by Blues in potential world-record deal

Chelsea are interested in signing San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma, with a world-record fee likely to be needed in order to complete a deal.

Lyon are also keen on signing Girma, with The Atheltic reporting that the French club have bid a women’s record $1m (£821,000) fee for the 24-year-old.

USA international Girma has made 44 appearances for her country and won gold with Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Girma was also named as the US Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2023.

Chelsea ‘definitely keen’ on Girma

Sky Sports News reporter Anton Toloui:

Chelsea are definitely keen and it would almost certainly cost a world-record fee to sign Girma.

Lyon have the money to make a deal happen through Michelle Kang’s investment and the club want to get back to the top of European football, as well as potentially find a long-term solution for Wendie Renard at the back.

Chelsea aren’t afraid to spend big in January, you only have to look at the £400k they spent on Mayra Ramirez and the league-leading contract they initially signed Sam Kerr on.

Another reason why Chelsea may want to sign Girma now is Kadeisha Buchanan is out for the season with an ACL injury.

Girma, who is out of contract at the end of 2026, seems likely to head for Europe.

Many see her as the best central defender in the world. Now someone has to prove that financially.

Why Chelsea must hit the ground running at West Ham this weekend

Sky Sports News senior football journalist Charlotte Marsh:

Despite being the WSL’s undisputed leaders, there has been a blip in Chelsea’s latest charge for the title.

They drew 1-1 with Leicester in their last league outing and made hard work of it. It ended their 100 per cent winning record too.

They have won two games since against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Charlton in the weekend’s FA Cup game – as well as a winter training camp in Portugal – but the Leicester result may just be niggling in the back of some minds.