A Putellas arrival would not just make a statement for London City.
The WSL has never had a Ballon d’Or winner in the division and ultimately, if the league’s sixth-best team can lure Putellas, that sends an ominous message about its financial and reputational might.
Vidal believes the attraction of the WSL is seeping across Europe.
“It is clear they are paying more in England – Spain cannot compete with that,” she said. “Also, players want to be competitive every weekend. For many years, Barcelona have not had a rival.
“There is a fear of losing all talent to England and if Alexia Putellas leaves for the WSL, that opens it up to everyone.”
This season, three English teams made the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but only Arsenal reached the semis.
In 2026-27, dominant WSL champions Manchester City will return to Europe’s premier competition, and have retained top scorer Khadija Shaw on a lucrative new contract.
Shaw is one of many WSL players who can be counted among the world’s best -Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, Chelsea’s Lauren James and Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa are among those to thrive this season.
Others among Europe’s elite, including Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway and Putellas’ Barcelona team-mate Ona Batlle, could also switch to England this summer.
“I think the WSL can replicate to some extent what we have seen with the Premier League,” said football finance expert Kieran Maguire, “in that it effectively becomes a super league in its own right.
“There is sufficient interest from broadcasters, fans and commercially. It means WSL clubs can outbid clubs from elsewhere in Europe in terms of transfer fees and that will drive players here as well.”
Domestically, the league is increasing to 14 teams in September, with guaranteed TV funding until 2030 ensuring finances remain in rude health.
Both Chelsea and Brighton have committed to their women’s teams in recent months too, the former lining up all home matches for Stamford Bridge next season and the latter announcing plans for Europe’s first bespoke stadium.
A potential Putellas arrival only adds to the anticipation for next season’s biggest year yet.
