Chelsea stars Pernille Harder and Magdalena Eriksson have reportedly signed deals with Bayern Munich that would see the elite duo leave west London once their existing contracts expire.
Harder and Eriksson’s current contracts with Chelsea are set to expire in June and rumours have circled the pair regarding their football futures, with Real Madrid, Lyon and Angel City recently purported as likely landing spots come summer.
But German channel Fotbollskanalen along with TV2 Norge reported on Tuesday that the Danish attacking midfielder and Swedish defender are set for a surprise move away from Kingsmeadow to current Frauen-Bundesliga-leaders Bayern Munich, claiming the pair have already signed contracts.
The alleged move arrives as another bold statement from the German juggernaut, with England star Georgia Stanway swapping WSL football with Manchester City for Bayern in a high-profile move last summer.
Nevertheless, in her pre-match press conference for Chelsea's upcoming WSL clash against Leicester on Wednesday evening, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes fervently refused to be drawn on the rumoured exits.
"I'm not here to speculate on players that are under contract here," the Blues boss said. "I don't have anything to say on it. I don't speculate on rumours across the internet and from clubs or continents or players that are the club. That is not something we do here."
Munich currently sit top of the German top-flight, one point above title-rivals Wolfsburg as they bid to seize back their title. They were handed a quarter-final Champions League exit by WSL-side Arsenal.
Chelsea captain Eriksson has previously been quick to shut down ongoing reports of her contract situation, previously telling Fotbollskanalen that “rumours must remain rumours”.
Eriksson joined Chelsea at the of the 2017/18 campaign from Swedish club Linkopings and after scoring on her debut against Bristol City, has helped the club to an unprecedented four WSL titles, three FA Cup titles, two Women’s League Cups titles and the 2020 Community Shield.
Since joining Chelsea ahead of the 2020/2021 season from Wolfsburg on a three-year deal, Harder has been instrumental to Chelsea’s sustained success, seeing the Blues to successive league and FA Cup titles.
Harder recently marked her return from injury with a sensational brace against Spurs in the Blues' seven-goal thrashing of their London rivals, scoring the first with her first touch of the game after being subbed on in the 32nd minute.
Chelsea currently sit second in the WSL table, four points behind leaders Manchester United but with two games in hand in their pursuit of a fourth consecutive league title. The Blues face United in the FA Cup final on Sunday as they bid to collect their first piece of silverware this season.
The duo's rumoured departure could dish a huge blow to Hayes' strength in depth as they continue to look to grow their dominance in Europe following their Champions League semi-final exit to Real Madrid.
According to Fotbollskanalen, agent Klaus Granlund has said he does not wish to comment on the matter further.
Chelsea return to WSL action when they take on Leicester City on Wednesday evening at Kingsmeadow.
