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Barcelona have reached an agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of Kerolin in a deal that would make the Brazil international one of the most expensive players in the history of the women’s game. The two clubs have been in talks for several weeks and, after Barca had two earlier bids turned down, a fee of €1.5m (£1.28m/$1.7m) has now been agreed.

Kerolin to leave Man City for Barca in blockbuster deal

Barca’s interest in Kerolin was first reported earlier this month by journalist Victoria Leite. The report said Barca had seen two bids rejected, with the second of those expected to go beyond the £400,000 ($470,000) fee paid for England international Keira Walsh in the summer of 2022, which remained Barca’s record signing in the women’s team.

Sport then reported that Kerolin’s contract included a release clause of more than €1m (£857,000/$1.14m), a figure Barca were unable or unwilling to match. However, after it was said that the two clubs were working to “find common ground and finalise the transfer”, Leite has now reported that an agreement has been reached for a fee far higher than that, with the €1.5m (£1.28m/$1.7m) price tag placing Kerolin only behind Grace Geyoro of London City Lionesses, and possibly Alyssa Thompson of Chelsea, in the list of the most expensive women’s transfers in history. The Brazil star will sign a four-year deal in Catalunya this week.

A deal too good for Man City to refuse

Kerolin had an outstanding season for Man City last time out, with her total of 14 direct goal contributions bettered only by Khadija Shaw, Alessia Russo and Vivianne Miedema as the club won their first Women’s Super League title in 10 years.

That also came in what was only Kerolin’s first full season at City, following her move from North Carolina Courage in January 2025. Under contract until the summer of 2028, City would not have entered the summer transfer window planning to sell a player who is still only 26 and therefore has her best years ahead of her.

Even so, the financial appeal of the deal is clear, especially when it is considered alongside how well covered City are in attacking positions. Along with Shaw, Miedema, Mary Fowler, Lauren Hemp, Aoba Fujino and Iman Beney, City have also signed England international Beth Mead this summer, and if they decide another addition is needed after Kerolin’s departure, there is still plenty of time left in the transfer window to use the money they will receive for the Brazil star.

Attacking reinforcements needed after Putellas and Paralluelo exits

Kerolin’s arrival is a necessary one for Barca. The club has lost some important attacking quality this summer, especially two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who has joined London City Lionesses, while Salma Paralluelo also chose to leave on a free transfer not long after her two-goal performance in the Champions League final, despite the Blaugrana offering her a new contract.

There is still plenty of quality in the forward line in Catalunya, thanks to Claudia Pina, Ewa Pajor, Kika Nazareth and Caroline Graham Hansen, who has just signed a new contract, while young players such as Sydney Schertenleib and Vicky Lopez continue to grow in influence.

Still, adding someone with Kerolin’s proven match-winning ability and experience at the highest level is vital if the European champions, who have largely been targeting young prospects in the summer transfer window, are to keep their place at the top of the game.

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Will Kerolin move impact important renewals at Barca?

Understandably, there are also questions over the amount Barca will pay for Kerolin. Given how quickly transfer fees in the women’s game have risen, it is not a major surprise that they have had to pay such a sum for the Brazil international, particularly as she still had two more years left on her contract. But financially, Barca have been under pressure in recent years, with several first-team players forced to leave last summer so the club could comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, while a large number of leading academy talents were also sold.

Barca still have several important contract renewals to sort out in the coming season. Patri Guijarro, arguably the best holding midfielder in the world, is under contract only until 2027 and is reportedly drawing interest from Lyon and clubs in England. Ewa Pajor, the main focal point of the attack, is also entering the final year of her deal, as is rising talent Esmee Brugts.

After just seeing Putellas, Paralluelo, Mapi Leon and Ona Batlle leave for free, Barca will not want to face similar losses next summer and will be keen to make sure enough money is kept aside to handle these renewals, even with Kerolin’s arrival now looking imminent.