It's officially transfer season. Europe's biggest competitions have concluded, new champions have been crowned and now attention turns to who will be on the move ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with there plenty of big names in the women's game set for summer switches in what promises to be an entertaining and exciting few months.
What a season it has been for European women's football. The Champions League campaign was certainly a memorable one, with some thrilling ties throughout the knockout stages and an enthralling introduction to the league phase format, with stars aplenty shining on the biggest stage before Barcelona beat Lyon in the final.
Barcelona have officially confirmed that defensive stalwarts Mapi Leon and Ona Batlle will depart the club when their contracts expire at the end of next month. The news marks a significant shift for the European champions, coming just days after club legend Alexia Putellas also announced her intention to seek a new challenge away from Catalunya.
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas will leave Barcelona at the end of the season after a historic 14-year spell. The legendary midfielder’s departure has sparked intense speculation about a potential move to the Women’s Super League in England, as the Spanish giants prepare to bid an emotional farewell to their iconic captain and all-time top scorer.
Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas has officially been named the 2025-26 UEFA Women's Champions League Player of the Season. The Spanish midfielder reclaimed her status as the finest player on the continent following a sensational knockout campaign that saw the Blaugrana secure their fourth European title.
When Barcelona won their seventh successive Liga F title last month, Alexia Putellas was reminded of the many doubts that were raised about her team prior to the season. Financial restraints produced serious obstacles in the transfer market and prevented the club from building the sort of squad one would hope for when competing on four fronts, leading many to wonder how they would fare this season, especially in the Champions League. That the Catalans are back in the final on Saturday and just one win away from a quadruple, then, is quite the rebuttal.
With 20 goals across the four games, and late drama at the end of both ties, it's fair to say the 2025-26 Women's Champions League semi-finals delivered. Out of them emerged Lyon, the eight-time winners, and Barcelona, the three-time champions, to set up a truly mouth-watering final in Oslo on May 23, in which there will be so many fascinating storylines.
Barcelona will face Lyon in the Women's Champions League final after beating Bayern Munich 4-2 on Sunday, for a 5-3 win on aggregate in the semi-finals. The German champions gave the three-time winners a tough match last week but the Catalans asserted their authority at Camp Nou, as goals from Salma Paralluelo, Ewa Pajor and an Alexia Putellas brace set up a fourth UWCL final between Barca and Lyon.
Barcelona are reportedly 'close' to losing star defender Ona Batlle to Arsenal on a free transfer, with speculation surrounding the futures of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and key centre-back Mapi Leon also growing as the pair near the ends of their current contracts in Catalunya. London City Lionesses have shown interest in both, as the newly-promoted Women's Super League side look to make a splash in the summer transfer window.
And then there were four. One of Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern Munich or Lyon will be crowned winners of the Women's Champions League next month, after the quartet progressed through an enthralling quarter-final stage over the past week. Bayern will take on Barca later this month while holders Arsenal will face Lyon, with the winners to meet in the final in Oslo, Norway, at the end of May.
Barcelona Femeni dismantled Real Madrid 6-0 in a historic Clasico to complete a third emphatic win against their arch rivals in just nine days, securing a place in the Champions League semi-finals in the process. Alexia Putellas was among the goals as she marked her 500th appearance for Barca in style.
Barcelona Femeni have taken a monumental step towards securing their seventh consecutive Liga F crown following a dominant 3-0 victory over eternal rivals Real Madrid. Goals from Ona Batlle and Alexia Putellas, alongside an unfortunate own goal, highlighted a totally one-sided Clasico that leaves the Catalan giants sitting comfortably at the summit of the league table.
Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas is demanding clear sporting guarantees from Barcelona before committing to a new contract. With just three months left on her current deal, the 32-year-old midfielder is evaluating highly lucrative foreign offers. However, her priority remains staying with the Catalan club, provided it presents a compelling, winning project for the future.
Alexia Putellas has always strived for greatness. As a legendary champion with Barcelona and Spain, and one of the most decorated female players of all time, the iconic midfielder has always set impeccable standards on the pitch, empowering athletes to become role models for younger generations. For club or country, ‘La Reina’ has built a legacy through her vision, control and versatility, thriving as a creative force while driving unprecedented growth in the women’s game.
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