Chelsea circles as Shaw’s City exit looms

MANCHESTER, England (CMC):

Just hours after the euphoria of being crowned Women’s Super League champions for the first time in a decade, Manchester City have been rocked by the news that their prolific striker, Khadija Shaw, is set to leave the club on a free transfer this summer.

The 29-year-old Jamaican international, who has been the club’s top goalscorer for four consecutive seasons, is now understood to be Chelsea’s primary summer transfer target after contract- renewal talks with City broke down.

What initially appeared to be a formality, with positive negotiations at the start of the year and confidence from the club that a deal would be agreed, has soured into frustration.

Manager Andree Jeglertz had expressed hope in April that Shaw would extend her stay beyond her June expiry date, but the two parties are believed to have hit a significant impasse over contract length.

While City were only willing to offer terms up to a certain point, Chelsea have reportedly tabled an offer with at least one additional year on the deal. That extra security has turned the head of a player who initially had no desire to leave and had even hoped to retire at the Etihad.

The breakdown in talks has forced Shaw to explore other options, and six-time winners Chelsea have made her their priority target for the summer window.

Losing Shaw will be a major blow for City. With one league game remaining, she is on course to win a third successive WSL Golden Boot, having already netted 19 goals in 21 appearances this term.

  Shaw is the most prolific striker for Jamaica (male or female) with as many as 66  international goals. She reached that figure when she scored the opening goal during Jamaica's Concacaf Women's Championships Qualifier against Guyana on April 18 this year.