USWNT star Naomi Girma has transfer interest from Lyon & Arsenal, but Chelsea lead the race to sign San Diego Wave defender for potential world-record $1M fee

There have been plenty of reports in recent months about interest in Girma from abroad, with her having emerged as one of the most talented center backs in the entire game already, aged just 24. Indeed, after helping her country win gold at the Olympic Games last summer, USWNT boss Emma Hayes described Girma as "the best defender I've ever seen".

Lyon, home of USWNT team-mate Lindsey Horan, have been linked with her, as have Arsenal. However, ESPN understands that it is Chelsea who are currently favorites to land Girma's signature, which could come at the cost of $1 million (£820,000). The current world-record fee for a transfer in the women's game is $862,000 (£706,000), which Bay FC paid to sign Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF last year.

Given that potential price tag, it is unlikely that Girma leaves the San Diego Wave for another NWSL side. That's because league rules require a salary cap tax if a club spends over a net $500,000 (£409,000) on transfer fees.

New San Diego boss Jonas Eidevall, and the new ownership which took over in October, will certainly be keen to avoid losing Girma, who is out of contract at the end of 2026. It'll be up to them to renew that deal and avoid losing the defender to a European giant.