Chelsea hold Sam Coffey transfer talks with Portland Thorns star lined up to follow USWNT team-mate Naomi Girma to WSL champions

After roping in Naomi Girma from the San Diego Wave for a world-record fee, Chelsea are again planning to raid the NWSL for another United States women's national team star. According to the BBC, the Blues have held talks with Coffey ahead of the WSL winter transfer deadline on January 30.

Coffey, 26, joined the Portland Thorns in 2022 on a two-year deal and helped the club win the NWSL Championship in her maiden season. She was also named in the NWSL Best XI for two years in a row in 2022 and 2023. Coffey earned her first international cap for the USWNT in 2022 when she made her debut in a friendly match against Nigeria.

The reigning WSL champions broke the world transfer record in women's football to sign Girma last week as they paid $1 million (£801,746) to secure her services. Chelsea broke the previous world transfer record held by Racheal Kundananji, who was bought by NWSL side Bay FC from Madrid CFF in February 2024 for $767,600.

Sonia Bompastor's Chelsea side will be back in action on Sunday as they take on Aston Villa in a WSL clash away from home, but it remains to be seen whether the club will get a deal for Coffey over the line before the game.