MARY EARPS looks set to bring the curtain down on her Manchester United spell with the goalkeeper due to join Paris Saint-Germain.
The Euros-winning shot stopper, 31, who previously attracted interest from Arsenal, is claimed to be close to sealing a summer transfer as a free agent.
French newspaper Le Parisien claims Earps is expected to become the highest paid goalkeeper in women’s football following her move.
The England star’s current contract is due to expire this summer with the player on the verge of joining the team that knocked Man United out of the Women’s Champions League last October.
The Red Devils had hoped to keep the goalkeeper who is one of the club’s most popular stars and helped her side win the Women’s FA Cup for the first time in their history in May.
Last season boss Marc Skinner spoke of his desire to retain Earps who was named Fifa’s Best Women’s Goalkeeper for 2023 in January.
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The head coach, who signed a new deal in May extending his reign for another year, talked up the “huge role” Earps has played for the team.
This includes helping them qualify for the Champions League for the first time ever last year after they finished second behind Chelsea in the 2022-23 WSL season.
However the 50-capped Lioness is set to become the third high profile international star to leave the club following the departures of Russo and full-back Ona Batlle last summer.
Earps’ impending departure follows a season in which United slipped to fifth place a year on from pushing Chelsea all the way in a fiercely contested title race.
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Their fifth spot finish saw them miss out on a place in next term’s Champions League whilst also finishing below Liverpool in the WSL for the first time.
According to Sky Sports PSG, who finished second in France’s top tier last season, had been interested in signing Earps back in January.
The Nottingham-born goalkeeper, who won the Golden Glove at last year’s Women’s World Cup, had previously been a target for United’s WSL rivals Arsenal.
Aside from Earps, PSG are reportedly set to sign France centre-back Griedge Mbock from top-flight rivals Lyon.
The 74-capped player was thought to be close to joining the club back in 2021 before opting to extend her stay at Lyon, according to Le Parisien.
Her national side will face Sweden and the Republic of Ireland in the Women’s Euros qualifiers in July ahead of their bid to win gold at the Paris Olympics which start next month.
Last week PSG forward Sandy Baltimore was reported to be close to joining Chelsea from PSG.
The France ace, who bagged seven goals and four assists in 16 top-flight games last term, has undergone a medical according to Le Parisien.
The move would see the 24-year-old striker join the club following arrival of new Blues boss and ex-Lyon head coach Sonia Bompastor.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
