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London City Lionesses made a sensational bid for Alexia Putellas earlier this summer and a deal has finally been struck. Two-time Ballon d’Or winners. How did they manage to pull off one of the biggest shock signings, well, ever?
Answered all the big questions Sky Sports News’ Expert Anton Tolui…
Why Barca left Putelas?
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Alexia Putellas sat down with Sky Sports’ Anton Tolui for an exclusive interview with London City Lionesses owner Michel Kang, discussing why he joined the WSL club and outlining his ambitions for the future.
The 32-year-old has won everything club football has to offer in Barcelona. There was no stone left unturned, no contest unconquered.
Putellas is a four-time Champions League winner and has won the Liga F title ten times. In his final season, he won the quadruple. The chance to take on a new football challenge while his status as one of the game’s MVPs is still intact will be a big draw. Oh, and don’t forget the money.
Putelas helped Barcelona win the Champions League this season
Putellas’ stardom and fanfare meant a huge fortune to be made. Contracts offered by multiple suitors were off the Barcelona table, with new commercial avenues to explore abroad.
Putellas’ global pull makes him an attractive asset for any potential club. Consider trade possibilities. Shirt sales will explode. Also, for the player themselves, a move represents an opportunity to introduce the Putells brand to the UK market. He’s a pretty big deal and he knows it.
Who tried to sign him?
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Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Poutellas explains why she decided to leave Barcelona to join London City Lions
Three realistic proposals were on the table. Clubs in the NWSL are interested for obvious reasons.
But a big-money contract offer from fast-rising London City was deemed too good to turn down.
She will join a list of high-profile names already on the books for Michelle Kang’s expanding venture, notably Mary Earps, Kosovare Aslani and Grace Gayoro – with more to come.
At 32 years old, how good is Putellas?
Putelas scored twice as Spain beat England in early June
It’s fair to say it took some time for the midfield maestro to return to top form after suffering an ACL injury just ahead of the European Championships in 2022, but Alexia has been the pulse of Barcelona’s winning streak this season.
Her colloquial title, “La Reina,” which translates from Spanish as Queen, is well-earned. He is revered by Barcelona fans and respected by most football-loving neutrals.
Former team-mate Aitana Banmatike won her third Ballon d’Or in the autumn, a local favorite in Catalonia and named this year’s Champions League player of the season. He was also the catalyst when Barcelona won their first European title in 2021.
For those less familiar, you only need to look at his magnificent display in a game against England in early June to understand his impact. He ringed around the Lionesses’ midfield, scoring twice as Spain won 4–0. A proper baller.
What is the strategy of the City of London?
Mary Earps joined the London City Lionesses earlier this summer (Image credit: London City Lionesses)
The answer to this can be categorized by two words: money and ambition.
London City have the means and intentions to match or better any deals offered to players they deem to fit their model. Think Bunny Shaw’s £30k-a-week deal at Manchester City; Putellas contract will be in that ballpark.
For a team that just finished its first season in the WSL, the stats seem staggering. But backed by Kang, the City of London means business. This signature is intended to make a splash.
The club want to fast-track their way into Champions League football and have an impressively bold plan to do so. Putellas probably believes in the project and is going to be richly rewarded for that blind faith. Only time will tell whether such courage can yield the desired results.
How can they afford all this?
London City have already landed the Earps’ signature this summer. They plan to move to Barcelona and Spain defender Mapi Leon. French sensation Gayoro is also in the book.
A question that will rightly be asked is how the Lions can afford such a catalog of elite talent.
Well, under WSL rules state clubs can spend 80 per cent of revenue and an extra £4m on player wages.
Even with that extra wiggle room, they will be close to the cap. Their subsequent books will be closely studied by rivals to see if they are consistent. Such spending power without traditional football clout – independent of men’s clubs – makes them a complete anomaly.
They remain the only fully independent women’s only professional club in England’s top two tiers.
How much of a coup is Putellas for the WSL?
Putelas continued to make a breakthrough on the international stage, being considered one of Spain’s greatest ever players.
Make no mistake: this is the biggest signing in WSL history. Only three female players have won the Ballon d’Or and none of them played for an English club.
The Putellas brand brings a lot of pedigree, but also credibility. It represents WSL as D Destination League. A hotbed of women’s football talent.
Putellas currently stars in commercials alongside David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Steve Carell; He brings eyeballs to an almost unprecedented level.
Fans will no doubt flock to watch the great playmaker. Businesses will scramble for the right to be associated with the iconic face that once graced the Camp Nou.
And most importantly, from a playing standpoint, he improves any team by a considerable margin – especially one that needs a lot of improvement. London City, who finished sixth last term, are banking on his influence being enough to upset the league’s traditional top three.
This club is desperate to get to the top of the English game. Such a masterstroke signing undoubtedly puts them one step closer.
