Barcelona set to pip Chelsea to club-record transfer for Benfica sensation Kika Nazareth

Kika has another year on her contract in Lisbon and Benfica have been keen to renew that. However, Sport understands that the European champions are instead set to complete a transfer for the 21-year-old at around €500,000 (£424,000/$538,000), making her the most expensive player in the history of the women's team, ahead of previous world-record holder Keira Walsh and summer arrival Ewa Pajor.

Kika will help reinforce a forward line that has lost the services of Mariona Caldentey, the versatile playmaker who is set to join Arsenal on a free transfer. Her ability to play centrally or out wide will help in that sense, while her potential to be one of the best players in the game has been evident since her breakthrough as a 16-year-old.

English champions Chelsea and eight-time queens of Europe Lyon were also keen to bring Kika in, but Sport's report says that the Portugal international was keen to join Barca.

Kika will become Barca's third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck and Wolfsburg striker Pajor.