Kerolin Nicoli has joined the Women’s Super League from the NWSL only 18 months ago. She is now on the verge of leaving as the English top‑flight’s most expensive export. The deal, worth £1.28m, would break the record held by Olivia Smith’s sale from Liverpool to Arsenal last summer. Barcelona are ready to smash their own transfer policy, having never paid a fee over £500k, to secure the Brazilian winger.

Born in São Paulo, Kerolin grew up playing barefoot with boys on the streets. She said the ball hurt to kick, but she persisted. The 26‑year‑old’s switch to the four‑time European champions feels inevitable; she told Sky Sports that “the most highly‑ranked players play here or in Spain.” Her arrival would put her alongside current Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmati.

In Manchester City, she made 26 WSL appearances, scoring 12 goals – a goals‑per‑90 ratio only surpassed by Khadija Shaw and Stina Blackstenius. She also leads in take‑ons attempted and completed. The move frees City to give space to wide options like Aoba Fujino or Beth Mead while giving Barcelona a dynamic forward to keep pace with rivals after recent departures such as Alexia Putellas and Mapi Leon.