Lionesses star Lauren Hemp gives update on future amid Barcelona links with Man City forward 'not in position' to reveal next move despite contract expiring in summer

Hemp has been a key player for the Cityzens ever since joining from Bristol City back in 2018, her nine goals and six assists this season helping to give the club a real shot at winning a first Women's Super League title in eight years.

Unsurprisingly, that form has attracted the eyes of one of the world's biggest clubs, with Barcelona rumoured to be interested in the winger ahead of her contract in Manchester expiring this summer.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Hemp said of her future: “I try not to look on Twitter and get absorbed in stuff like that. A lot of the time it’s just rumours, isn’t it? Naturally there are going to be rumours, but I’m not in a position yet to reveal what I’m doing. Once I’m ready to tell people what I’m going to do, then that day will come around, but for now I’m just trying to concentrate on the game coming up and trying to win the league.”

News of Barca's interest in the England forward has cooled in recent weeks, with it now looking more likely that she will agree a new deal at Man City instead. BBC Sport reported in January that the WSL side had offered Hemp a contract, but nothing has been agreed yet.

As Hemp says, her focus remains on trying to help the Cityzens lift a first league title since 2016 and the next step in that quest is a visit to her former side, Bristol, on Sunday. Further emphasis will be on the Lionesses' star to step up, too, with star striker Khadija Shaw out for the rest of the season.