After five seasons at Manchester City, Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw is set to leave the club for free at the end of her contract in the summer.
Following a breakdown in contract negotiations, the star striker is said to be exploring her options ahead of the transfer window, despite both parties holding positive talks earlier this year over a possible extension.
The Jamaican striker had reportedly hoped to finish her career in Manchester, with BBC journalist Emma Sanders reporting that Shaw envisioned herself retiring at the club that she joined back in 2021 following a stint at the French side Bordeaux.
Confidence had grown within City back in January after encouraging discussions took place between the two parties, with head coach Andrée Jeglertz publicly optimistic that the forward would remain beyond this summer.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Photo Credit: Getty Images
However, negotiations are understood to have stalled over the length of contract on offer, with City unable to meet Shaw’s preferred long-term terms.
The collapse in talks has now opened the door for the 29-year-old to explore a move away from the newly crowned WSL champions with plenty of clubs circling.
WSL rivals Chelsea are currently viewed as the favourites to sign Shaw and are believed to have already tabled an offer worth around £1 million per year, seeing her become one of the top paid female footballers ever.
The eight-time league champions are also said to have matched the striker’s desired contract length, whilst offering her the opportunity to remain in the WSL and compete for the UEFA Women’s Champions League; two competitions in which is said to be key in Shaw’s final decision.
Interest in the Jamaican striker is also emerging from Spanish giants Barcelona, the ambitious London City Lionesses, and several clubs in the NWSL, however it is thought that her desire is to remain in England’s top league.
Shaw is set to face one of her admirers this weekend when City take on Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, in what could serve as an audition for the prolific forward ahead of a summer decision.
Since arriving in Manchester in 2021, Shaw has established herself as one of the greatest players in City’s history, reaching unimaginable records such as becoming the first female to reach 100+ goals for the Blues.
The club’s all-time leading goalscorer has netted 110 goals in 133 appearances for the Blues, winning the WSL Golden Boot on two occasions and currently sitting on course to claim a third consecutive award.
Her potential departure would leave a significant void within City’s squad, particularly given the absence of a natural replacement currently at the club.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Finding a striker capable of replicating Shaw’s consistency and clinical finishing will become one of City’s major priorities this summer and a very tough task given her ever-reliable nature.
Chelsea, meanwhile, could look to rebuild title-winning squad around Shaw amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of Mayra Ramírez and Sam Kerr, whilst Aggie Beever-Jones is also approaching the end of her current deal.
Shaw’s profile as a clinical, elite goalscorer would offer Chelsea a different dimension to their existing attacking options and could be the missing piece in their pursuit to finally claim the elusive UWCL title.
A switch from Manchester to London would offer Shaw the opportunity for a fresh challenge whilst continuing to compete at the very highest level after five seasons with the sky blues.
The prolific striker would add an entirely new dimension to Chelsea, giving the side a dominant focal point in attack for creative players such as Alyssa Thompson and Lauren James to play around.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Her physical presence, movement and ruthless finishing are qualities that Sonia Bompastor’s side have arguably lacked at times this season.
Whilst a move away from City now appears increasingly inevitable, Shaw would depart having cemented her legacy as one of the club’s greatest-ever players, and a club career to look back on with great pride.
Ending her time in Manchester by helping deliver a first league title in a decade would represent a fitting conclusion to a remarkable spell at the club, with the possibility of a domestic double still on the table as City continue their pursuit of FA Cup glory.