Manchester United Near Club-Record Sale of Melvine Malard to Chelsea
Chelsea are close to finalising a transfer deal to acquire French forward Melvine Malard from Manchester United. The fee involved in the transfer could reach up to approximately £850,000, potentially setting a new club-record sale for United. Some reports indicate the final amount may be closer to £750,000. Negotiations are reportedly in their concluding stages, with the transfer expected to be completed soon.
Malard, aged 26, has one year remaining on her current contract with Manchester United. The club had sought to negotiate a contract extension with the forward; however, it became evident that Malard desired a new challenge elsewhere. Consequently, United preferred to secure a substantial transfer fee rather than risk losing a valuable player on a free transfer next summer.
The forward has a history with Chelsea’s manager, Sonia Bompastor, having previously played under her at Lyon. Malard is reportedly enthusiastic about the prospect of reuniting with Bompastor. Sources have revealed that Manchester United plans to reinvest the proceeds from the transfer into strengthening the squad. Manager Marc Skinner’s team is anticipated to be active in the transfer market, which remains open until 3 September.
For Chelsea, acquiring Malard will enhance their attacking options during a summer in which they have also secured a new contract for England forward Aggie Beever-Jones.
Last season, Malard scored four goals in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, contributing to Manchester United’s progression to their first-ever European quarter-final. Additionally, she netted six goals in the Women’s Super League (WSL) across 18 starts. Malard was also part of the France national team that advanced to the knockout stages of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 last summer.
Other Transfer Developments
In other transfer news, Arsenal have signed 19-year-old German youth international forward Lisa Baum from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. Born in Tanzania, Baum relocated to Germany at the age of four and has been a consistent presence in Germany’s youth national teams.
“This league is so competitive and Arsenal is a big club, so I’m excited to challenge myself and compete with the best,” Baum said on Arsenal’s official website. “I want to win trophies and develop my game, and Arsenal feels like the perfect match to achieve that.”
Meanwhile, Everton have completed the signing of 23-year-old France under-23 forward Noémie Mouchon on a free transfer from Leicester City, who were recently relegated. Mouchon expressed her enthusiasm on Everton’s website:
“I am a fast player and I love to score goals, so I can’t wait. I just want to score a lot with Everton. That’s my only objective.”
Everton’s technical director Nick Cox commented on the signing:
“We are really pleased to strengthen our attacking options with the signing of Noémie. Unsurprisingly for a player of her talent, she was wanted by other clubs but was keen to sign for Everton and help us to progress.”
