Alexia Putellas transfer: Barcelona and Spain star completes Women's Super League move - why London City Lionesses?
All the big questions answered as two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas signs for London City on a mega-money contract; Putellas played 507 times for Barcelona - second on the all-time list - having arrived at just 18; she left this summer after 12 seasons
Wednesday 8 July 2026 15:57, UK
London City Lionesses made a sensational bid for Alexia Putellas earlier this summer, and finally, a deal has been struck. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner is theirs. How have they managed to pull off one of the biggest shock signings of the summer - or indeed ever?
All the big questions answered by Sky Sports News' expert Anton Toloui...
Why did Putellas leave Barca?
The 32-year-old won everything club football has to offer at Barcelona. There was no stone left unturned, no competition she had not conquered.
Putellas is a four-time Champions League winner and secured the Liga F title on ten occasions. In her final season, she won the quadruple. The chance to take on a fresh footballing challenge while her status as one of the game's MVPs is still intact will have been a big draw. Oh, and don't forget the money.
Putellas's stardom and fanfare means there's a sizeable fortune to be made. The contracts being offered by multiple suitors were more than Barcelona had tabled, plus there are new commercial avenues to explore overseas.
Putellas's global pull makes her an attractive asset to any prospective club. Consider the merch potential. Shirt sales will explode. Plus, for the player herself, a move represents the chance to introduce brand Putellas to the UK market. She's a pretty big deal and she knows it.
Who tried to sign her?
Three realistic proposals were on the table. Clubs in the NWSL held interest for obvious reasons.
But a big-money contract was offered from fast-emerging London City, deemed too good to turn down.
She will be joining a roster of high-profile names already on the books of Michele Kang's expanding enterprise, notably Mary Earps, Kosovare Asllani and Grace Geyoro - with the possibility of more to come.
At 32, how good is Putellas?
It's fair to say it took the midfield maestro a while to get back to top form after an ACL injury just before the European championships in 2022, but Alexia was the beating heart of an all-conquering Barcelona team this season.
Her colloquial title, "La Reina", which translates from Spanish as the queen, is well earned. She is adored by Barcelona fans and revered by most football-loving neutrals.
The Catalonia native is the favourite to beat former team-mate Aitana Bonmati to her third Ballon d'Or in the autumn and was named this year's Champions League player of the season. She was also the catalyst when Barcelona won their first European title back in 2021.
For those less well acquainted, you need only watch her masterful display against England in early June to understand her influence on a game. She ran rings around the Lionesses' midfield, scoring twice as Spain won 4-0. A proper baller.
What is London City's strategy?
The answer to this can be categorised by two words: Money and ambition.
London City have the means and motive to match or better any deal offered to players who they deem fit their model. Think Bunny Shaw's £30k-a-week contract at Manchester City; Putellas's agreement will be in that ballpark.
For a team that has only just completed its first season in the WSL, the figures seem staggering. But backed by Kang, London City mean business. This signing is intended to make a splash.
The club want to fast-track their way to Champions League football and have an impressively bold plan to do so. Putellas presumably believes in the project and is going to be richly rewarded for that blind faith. Only time will tell if such courage can or will produce the desired outcome.
How can they afford all this?
London City have already landed Earps' signature this summer. They plan to approach Barcelona and Spain defender Mapi Leon. France sensation Geyoro is on the books, too.
A question that will rightfully be asked is how the Lionesses can afford such a catalogue of elite talent.
Well, WSL rules state clubs can spend up to 80 per cent of income plus an extra £4m on player wages.
Even with that additional wiggle room, they will be close to the cap. Their next set of books will be studied closely by rivals to ensure they are compliant. Such spending power without the traditional footballing clout - independent from a men's club - 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 WSL?
Make no mistake: This is the biggest signing in WSL history. Only three female players have ever won the Ballon d'Or and none of them have played for an English club.
The Putellas brand brings a wealth of pedigree, but also credibility. It presents the WSL as the destination league. The epicentre of female football talent.
Putellas is currently starring in adverts alongside David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Steve Carrell; she bring eyeballs on an almost unprecedented level.
Fans will no doubt flock to see the great playmaker in the flesh. Businesses will scramble over the rights to be associated with the iconic face that once adorned the Camp Nou.
And most importantly, from a playing perspective, she improves any team by a considerable margin - particularly one with plenty of improvements to be made. London City, sixth-place finishers last term, are banking on her influence being enough to disturb the league's traditional top three.
This is a club desperate to catapult themselves to the top of the English game. Such a masterstroke signing undoubtedly puts them a step closer.
