London City Lionesses plot shock Alexia Putellas swoop as Barcelona confirm legend's exit

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Evening Standard

·26 May 2026

London City Lionesses plot shock Alexia Putellas swoop as Barcelona confirm legend's exit

Two-time Ballon d’Or winner is available as free agent after clinching fourth Champions League title at the weekend

London City, owned by women’s sport tycoon Michele Kang, were only promoted to the WSL last season but impressed as they earned a sixth-place finish in their debut campaign.

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That was the product of ambitious transfer moves, which has seen them bring the likes of Kosovare Asllani and Daniëlle van de Donk to Hayes Lane.

A World Cup champion in 2023 and two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Putellas captained Barcelona to the Champions League title last weekend, her fourth title in the competition.

Her departure from Barcelona as a free agent was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday, 14 years after she signed from Levante.

Now 32, the WSL could be the next frontier for the ten-time Liga F title winner.

Alexia Putellas and Mapi Leon could both be set for a move to the WSL

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London City are also keen to bring in her team-mate Mapi Leon, and it is understood talks have taken place between the two parties.

The left-back will also be available on a free transfer this summer, with her contract set to expire next month. She has represented the Blaugrana since 2017 and has picked up seven league titles in her nine years with the club, with four Champions Leagues to boot.