- 9 hours ago
Ballon d’Or winner rejects WORLD RECORD transfer to Chelsea
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 10 Sept 2024 08:42 BST
- 3 min read
Women’s Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati has rejected a world record transfer to Chelsea.
Chelsea Women showed they can spend just as heavily as their male counterparts by making an offer of €3 million to Barcelona that would have smashed the current world record.
Racheal Kundananji is currently the most expensive female in women’s football history after she left Madrid CFF to join Bay FC on 13 February, 2024 for €804,000.
Chelsea offered to smash this record and also offered Bonmati a huge salary of €11 million over four years.
READ MORE: Who will win Ballon d’Or 2024? Shortlist, favourites, latest odds, date and past winners
But Bonmati rejected the offer and according to multiple sources will now sign a new contract with Barcelona until 2028. She is also reportedly set to become the highest paid woman in football history in the process.
🚨 Chelsea offered Aitana Bonmatí €11 million over four years, but she rejected them. ❌
📈 She is set to become the highest-paid player in women's football history when she signs a new contract with Barcelona until 2028.
(Source: Relevo) pic.twitter.com/bkGhZLBHre— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) September 7, 2024
Bonmati rejects Chelsea
Bonmati, 26, won the 2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or in Paris after an incredible season for both Barcelona Femeni and Spain.
The midfielder helped Spain to Women’s World Cup glory last summer having aided Barcelona to wins in La Liga and the Champions League.
Bonmati had also previously been named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year for 2022-23 and her win at the Ballon d’Or ceremony was seen as a formality.
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During the aforementioned Women’s World Cup, Manchester City boss Guardiola shared his admiration for Bonmati, comparing her to Barcelona and Spain legend Andres Iniesta.
He revealed in a press conference: “Aitana Bonmati is a football player that I am completely in love with, for the way [she] plays.”
“I would say she is like the Iniesta of women's football. The current Barça team has had an incredible impact.”
Bonmati has made over 250 appearances for Barcelona Women, winning 18 trophies. She has also been capped 65 times by Spain, scoring 26 goals and winning the Women’s World Cup in 2023.
