Arsenal have confirmed the signing of the Spain full-back Ona Batlle for free after her departure from Barcelona, continuing the London club’s busy start to the transfer window.
The 27-year-old is their fourth signing, after Georgia Stanway, Selina Cerci and Geraldine Reuteler, who arrived from Bundesliga teams on free transfers, and the club are understood to have been determined to complete their business early.
Barcelona said at the end of May that Batlle would be leaving at the end of her contract. She is one of four members of the Spain squad to leave the Champions League winners on frees this summer. Batlle, Alexia Putellas, whose signing by London City Lionesses was confirmed on Wednesday, Mapi León, who is also expected to join London City, and Salma Paralluelo, whose next club is unknown, were in the Spain starting team that comprehensively beat England 4-0 in Mallorca in June.
The former Manchester United right-back Batlle, who can also play at left-back, made 114 appearances and scored 14 times for Barcelona during a three-year spell.
“I’m very happy and excited to get going,” she told Arsenal’s media channels. “Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I can’t wait to feel the joy of playing in front of our supporters. I want to win trophies and I feel this is the right place to achieve that.”
She played 77 times for United before returning to Barcelona, where she had started her career. In her second spell with her childhood team she won three league titles, three Spanish Cups, three Spanish Super Cups and two Champions Leagues. A World Cup winner with Spain in 2023, she played in 2025’s European Championship final against England.
The Arsenal head coach, Renée Slegers, said: “She’s a hugely experienced full-back with strong attacking intent and great physical attributes. She’s a winner and we want to go for more wins together.”
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of the England full-back Niamh Charles from Chelsea on a three-year deal until 2029. The 27-year-old is the defending Women’s Super League champions’ second summer so far, alongside the former Arsenal forward Beth Mead. Last month Manchester City agreed a £500,000 fee with Chelsea for Charles, who scored a penalty in last summer’s European Championship final shootout for England.
