Alexia Putelas: What impact would a potential London City Lions move have?

The arrival of a Putellas will not only make a statement for the City of London.

The WSL has never had a Ballon d’Or winner in the division and, ultimately, if the league’s sixth-best team could lure Putellas, it would send an ominous message about its financial and reputational power.

Vidal believes the WSL’s appeal is spreading across Europe.

“It’s clear they’re paying more in England – Spain can’t compete with that,” he said. “Also, the players want to be competitive every weekend. Barcelona have had no rivals for many years.

“England has the fear of losing all the talent and if Alexia Putelas moves to the WSL, that will open it up for everyone.”

While three English teams have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League this season, only Arsenal have reached the semi-finals.

In 2026-27, reigning WSL champions Manchester City will return to Europe’s premier competition, retaining top scorer Khadijah Shaw on a lucrative new deal.

Shaw is one of many WSL players who can be regarded as among the best in the world – Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, Chelsea’s Lauren James and Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa are among those who have achieved success this season.

Others among Europe’s elite could also move to England this summer, including Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway and Putella’s Barcelona teammate Ona Butle.

“I think the WSL can replicate to some extent what we’ve seen with the Premier League,” football finance expert Kieran Maguire said, “It’s effectively become a super league in its own right.

“There is considerable interest from broadcasters, fans and commercially. It means WSL clubs can outbid clubs from elsewhere in Europe in terms of transfer fees and that will drive players here as well.”

Domestically, the league is expanding to 14 teams in September, with guaranteed TV funding until 2030 to ensure continued financial health.

Chelsea and Brighton have both committed to their women’s teams in recent months, with the former lining up all home matches for Stamford Bridge next season and the latter announcing plans for Europe’s first bespoke stadium.

The arrival of a potential Putells only adds to the anticipation for a big year next season.