Vivianne Miedema's next club? Arsenal favourite close to sealing free transfer to WSL rivals Man City after acrimonious Gunners exit

Miedema was out of contract in north London last month and was not even offered a new deal by the Gunners, despite being the WSL's all-time top goal-scorer. The forward has recently returned from an ACL injury so hasn't been at her best level, but is still only 27 years old.

Unsurprisingly, her departure caused widespread shock and, at the same time, plenty of interest from top clubs in the women's game. Man City emerged as an early front-runner for Miedema's signature and they are now close to finalising a deal for the Netherlands' record scorer, according to Sky Sports.

Perhaps the surprise of Miedema's Arsenal exit was best summed up by the comments from Ellen White, the former England striker who played for both the Gunners and Man City. "I just think it's shocking that they haven't shown her the love to want to keep her at the club," she said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly.

"If she does go to someone in the WSL, this is going to sound so bad, but I hope she goes to that team and sticks two fingers up at Arsenal, scores a few goals and celebrates hard in front of that board, to be like, 'Hello, what are you missing here?' Because she is 27 years old. If she wants to continue to play, obviously she's had her ACL injury, hopefully she's healthy and back to full fitness, she could play for a number of years and she's still got records to break. It's just outrageous."

Sky Sports also understands that Man City have agreed a deal to sign Japan star Risa Shimizu on a free transfer from West Ham. The 28-year-old will add necessary depth to the full-back areas after England international Esme Morgan left to join the Washington Spirit.

The Cityzens will hope to get the final details of Miedema's deal sorted in the coming days, in order to welcome her to the club with plenty of time before the new season begins.