Chelsea to land France forward Sandy Baltimore on free transfer from PSG

According to The Athletic, the 24-year-old forward is expected to sign a four-year deal with the Blues, committing her future to the club until 2028. Baltimore has spent her entire senior career at PSG, having broken into the first team in 2016. Over the years, she has established herself as a key player for the club. Her tenure at PSG saw her contribute significantly to the team’s successes, including winning the Division One Feminine title in the 2020-21 season, which ended Lyon’s 14-year dominance. She also helped PSG reach the Champions League final in 2017.

Baltimore will now get to reunite with new Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor as the ex-Lyon boss has been appointed to succeed Emma Hayes at West London. The Athletic report alleges that although Baltimore’s decision to join Chelsea was not influenced by Bompastor's appointment, the presence of her compatriot has provided the required "reassurance" as she makes the transition.

In addition to Baltimore, Chelsea are reportedly set to sign 19-year-old Barcelona midfielder Julia Bartel on a free transfer as well. These acquisitions indicate Chelsea’s intent to bolster their squad with young, talented players capable of maintaining their competitive edge in the WSL and Europe.

Chelsea’s recent success in the WSL underscores the club’s ambition and the effectiveness of their strategy. They clinched the 2023-24 WSL title after a decisive victory over Manchester United on the final day of the season. The addition of players like Baltimore and Bartel is expected to enhance their squad depth and quality, positioning them well for future challenges.