Arsenal Star Makes Transfer Stance Clear Following Links To Real Madrid

Arsenal Star Makes Transfer Stance Clear Following Links To Real Madrid

Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti has declared that she has no interest in leaving the Women’s Super League club.

There have been rumours that Real Madrid could make a move to sign the Switzerland captain but, when asked about the links recently, Walti said:

“I have absolutely no idea where the rumour came from. I am very satisfied and happy at Arsenal. I play in a top club and still have a three-year contract there.”

As Walti mentions, she only signed a new three-year deal back in May last year, keeping her with the Gunners until the end of the 2025/26 season.

The 30-year-old remains a key player for manager Jonas Eidevall who has started the midfielder in 8 of Arsenal’s 10 league fixtures so far this campaign.

Why did links to Real Madrid surface?

At the start of January, it was reported by DAZN Ata Football that Real had talks with Walti about a potential transfer. While the Spanish side were not looking to bring the player in during the current transfer window, they wanted to ascertain whether she would accept a move next summer.

It was suggested that the Swiss midfielder was “keen” on leaving Arsenal for a new challenge, having spent the last five and half years in London. However, Walti’s comments indicate those claims are wide of the mark.

Arsenal’s January transfer business

The Gunners are expected to sign one more player after Emily Fox, whose move from North Carolina Courage was confirmed last week. The London club are hoping to snap up goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi on a free transfer. The 37-year-old is currently unattached after leaving Paris Saint-Germain last year.

Eidevall says that, after recruiting a backup keeper, Arsenal are unlikely to make any more additions this month.

Watch the WSL Show on Shots!TV here as our pundits discuss Saria Wiegman’s England contract extension and other stories

Shots TV Logo
David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.