Arsenal have rejected a ‘substantial’ bid from Women's Super League title rivals Chelsea for the services of forward Katie McCabe.
The Republic of Ireland captain has played in all 10 of Arsenal’s WSL matches this season and has 18 months remaining on her current contract.
The Telegraph and Sky Sports reported on Saturday night that Arsenal have rebuffed a move for the 27-year-old from WSL title holders Chelsea and are reluctant to sell McCabe before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, though remain confident.
The WSL domestic window closes at 5pm on January 31st.
READ MORE: Chelsea to begin FA Cup defence against Liverpool while Tottenham host fourth-round London derby
Chelsea have conspicuously made only one signing in the January window in Japan international Maika Hamano, but the 18-year-old attacking starlet was immediately sent on loan to Swedish side Hammarby.
Meanwhile, the sale of seasoned striker Bethany England to Tottenham Hotspur for a domestic record fee means Emma Hayes’ attacking ranks are thinner heading into the season’s second half.
And it’s understood that the Blues have put forth a lucrative offer to pry McCabe away from their WSL rivals Arsenal, who sit just three points shy of second-place Blues and league-leaders Manchester United but with a game in hand.
McCabe has been at Arsenal since joining from Shelbourne in 2015 and has been a critical component in the Gunners’ success since returning from a loan spell with Glasgow City in 2017. The Dubliner was voted the club’s player of the year for the 2020/21 season and has impressively maintained that form at wing or left-back. In October, she made her 100th appearance for Arsenal in the WSL.
And with a blistering title race within the Gunners’ grasp, the forward’s sale would signal a major blow to Jonas Eidevall’s side who are still jostling with season-ending ACL injuries to proven-goalscorers Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema.
The signings of Danish forward Kathrine Kuhl and Dutch winger Victoria Pelova are viewed as exciting and positive additions, albeit the pair have yet to prove themselves in the English top flight.
The last player to transfer between the London rivals was Gilly Flaherty, who made the switch from Arsenal to Chelsea in 2014. But at that time, the Blues had yet to win a major honour in the women’s game.
Arsenal and Chelsea are both in FA Cup fourth round action today (Sunday), against Leeds and Liverpool, respectively.
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