The transfer record for a female footballer has been broken twice this year already.
And it is likely to be broken again before too long.
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Kundananji has proved her worth already, scoring on her debut for Bay FCCredit: Getty
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner recently predicted that the women’s game was nearing its first £1million transfer.
He said: “We’re edging up, and as gates continue to grow and money comes into the (women’s) game, I don’t think we’re far away from it.”
The Red Devils are just one club breaking their own transfer record, doing so when they bought Brazilian forward Geyse in August for a reported fee of over £250,000.
And in recent months, the international record fee has been smashed more than once.
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Racheal Kundananji recently became the most expensive women’s footballer of all time when she left Madrid CFF to sign for new NWSL side Bay FC for £625,000.
She took the title from Chelsea striker Mayra Ramirez, who signed from Levante in January for a reported fee of £400,000.
And then in March 2024, the order was again reshuffled after Orlando Pride signed Zambia striker Barbra Banda from Chinese club Shanghai Shengli for a fee of £581,000 – making her the second most expensive signing ahead of Ramirez.
And as talkSPORT’s Women’s football reporter Charlotte Richardson explained, the conditions are more than ripe for the long-anticipated million pound transfer to finally take place – perhaps even in a deal involving English clubs.
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Lioness Keira Walsh comes in at number four on the list of most expensive transfersCredit: Getty
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And German star Lena Oberdorf rounds off the top fiveCredit: Getty
She said: “I think this is really interesting and especially topical when you consider how much the WSL is going to change with NewCo.
“I don’t think we’re far off, it could even potentially be this summer because I think with the strategy of NewCo and the commercial nous and the sharpening of that commercial strategy we will see more and more investment, and a return on that investment.”
She added: “By the time that the 2025 Euros happen, I think that one million pound barrier – which is a bit of a landmark – I think that’s going to be broken.”
But who will be the all-important player who gives us that landmark moment? talkSPORT.com takes a look.
Lauren James (Chelsea)
The Chelsea and England starlet has made her presence – and her value – known on the international stage in recent years.
But talkSPORT Early Sports Breakfast presenter Shebahn Aherne expressed doubts about whether her long-term future lay with the Blues, and whether her move might well involve a million pound fee.
She said: “Yes, she has her contract at Chelsea. But with Emma Hayes leaving and her being such a brilliant player, such a goal-threat, and kind of becoming a household name around the world in football, I think she could be an interesting approach for many clubs. Big clubs, perhaps Barcelona, perhaps Real Madrid, perhaps America.
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James is prolific both for her club…Credit: Getty
“I just don’t see her quite settling forever at Chelsea without a move elsewhere. And she is the type of player who merits a million, no matter what. In fact, double it for Lauren James I would say!”
And Richardson agreed – although she admitted it would take a special club to tempt her away.
She said: “I think you just have to look at the superstar player, the magic players like Lauren James. She springs to mind as someone that could quite easily command a fee of that stature. It’s just who would she go to? Who would she want to go to with Chelsea being so dominant?”
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…and for her countryCredit: Getty
Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
Arguably the best women’s footballer in the world right now, Bonmati has won the Spanish first division, the Champions League, the Spanish Women’s Super Cup, the World Cup, the Nations League in the last year alone.
Not only did Richardson believe the Spanish midfielder could command a huge fee, she also suggested that one club in particular might soon have their eyes on her.
She said: “I have always wondered whether a club would make a big bid to try and lure Aitana Bonmati from Barcelona. I think she’s so unique in terms of her footballing ability and her footballing brain. All that she has won for Barcelona, but also internationally – obviously winning the Ballon d’Or, FIFA Women’s Player.
“If Manchester United were to buck up their ideas with the investment that’s seemingly going into the men’s team, if they look to make a big marquee signing, whether Bonmati could be that.”
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Bonmati shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to winning trophiesCredit: Getty
Lauren Hemp (Man City)
Another Lioness who would be worth every penny of £1m fee is Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp.
talkSPORT’s Women’s Football Show presenter Lianne Sanderson said: “I think it probably will be a Barcelona player or someone that will be brought out of a contract that they’re being paid really well in. So it could be Lauren Hemp.”
Hemp’s contract with City expires at the end of the 2023/24 season and she has already been linked to Spanish giants Barcelona.
The possibility of such a player moving on a free transfer is unthinkable, but not impossible given the same happened to Alessia Russo after Manchester United were unable to keep her onboard.
But if City somehow manage to convince Hemp to stay, it is very unlikely that the European interest will abate and the chances of some very high bid eventually being offered for the winger are more than likely.
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Barcelona will not be the only club looking to make a swoop for HempCredit: Getty
Chloe Kelly (Man City)
And Hemp is not the only England winger who has the capacity to break the £1m mark.
Aherne explained: “The one that stands out to me as a possible one million pound transfer would be Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly. There’s rumours that she might be going to PSG.
“And why not? Why not Chloe Kelly? Not only is she a Lioness and a European-winning Lioness, she took them to the World Cup final with that penalty shootout against Nigeria and she also scored the winning goal for the Euros.
“Chloe Kelly is certainly a player who has stepped up in big moments for England and for her club. She also offers a lot on the wing and is a very attacking-minded brilliant athlete. Chloe Kelly this summer could be one to keep tabs on.”
The forward is in contract with Man City until the end of 2025 so a rumoured move to PSG this summer would likely command a huge fee – the only question is whether it would quite break the £1m barrier.
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Kelly is no stranger when it comes to big moments…Credit: Getty
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…in fact, she seems to relish themCredit: Getty
Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona)
When looking for the most valuable players in women’s football, it is hard to look beyond Barcelona’s squad.
And a player who could be of even greater interest than Bonmati is World Cup winner Salma Paralluelo.
At just 20 years old, the striker is undoubtedly set for a decorated and successful career and would be an asset to any club chasing trophies.
The young forward is the first ever player to have won the World Cup in each of the three age groups, having also won the Under-20 World Cup and the Under-17 World Cup.
She already has 12 goals in 21 international appearances, including two match-winning ones at last year’s World Cup.
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Paraluello is a big part of the reason for Spain’s current dominance in world footballCredit: AFP
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
At just 19 years old, Colombian striker Linda Caicedo’s skill on the pitch is well beyond her years.
The youngster signed for Real Madrid in 2023 having already established herself as one to watch, but impressed even further at the 2023 Women’s World Cup after picking up two goals and an assist in her two Player of the Match performances.
Although Real Madrid are successful, they are not the giants that Barcelona, Lyon or even Chelsea might consider themselves to be.
A move for Caicedo to a club that can guarantee her regular silverware is a likely prospect in the near future.
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Caicedo’s skillful footwork at the World Cup earned her many fans around the globeCredit: Getty
Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns)
Billed as the USA’s next big thing, striker Sophia Smith is one of those players who is likely to make Emma Hayes’ job a delight when she takes over the national team.
At the end of March 2024, Smith also agreed a contract extension with her club Portland Thorns in a deal which has made her the highest paid player in the NWSL, according to ESPN.
The 23-year-old already has 18 goals in 46 appearances for the USA and most recently scored a brace for her country as they secured a narrow penalty shootout victory over Canada in the SheBelieves Cup.
She is another young player who would make a shrewd investment – not to mention that NWSL clubs are often those with the highest purchasing power.
Smith’s renown with the NWSL already means she could well be the first to command that £1m fee.
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Smith was named MVP at the recent SheBelieves CupCredit: Getty
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