Arsenal contract u-turn fails with 30yo set to leave | OneFootball

Arsenal were considering offering Katie McCabe a new contract, but the defender has decided it is time for her to leave.

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Arsenal were said to be considering a contract U-turn for Katie McCabe, with the long-serving defender to receive an offer to stay despite previously appearing set to leave on a free transfer this summer.

Now, however, McCabe has written a letter to fans explaining why it is time for her to leave. Arsenal have also confirmed she will leave.

The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, with Manchester City believed to be the front-runners for her signature.

Telegraph Sport reported that Arsenal were likely to make McCabe an offer, even though the club have been planning a squad refresh and looking to lower the age profile of the group.

McCabe appeared to acknowledge in March that her future was uncertain, confirming there had already been interest from elsewhere.

“Yes, there’s been interest,” she said.

“I’m into my last my last six months (of contract) so technically you’re allowed to speak to others. I’m not part of those conversations. I’ve left those to my agent but there has been interest.

“Obviously, my full focus is on these games coming up with Ireland. The Arsenal fans know how committed I am to them and to the club. I think I’ve shown that over the last 10 years. I’ve given absolutely everything. But in terms of where I’ll be at, I’m going to see out the next few months and then go from there.”

That position appeared to have shifted from Arsenal’s side, but all options were understood to remain on the table, including this one.

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Ahead of Arsenal’s final home game against Everton, Slegers was asked about the situation. “…there’s conversation of course between parties in the background which are private,” she said. “So I think if there’s news to share, we’ll share it.

“Again, this season, the last three years since I’ve been here, I’ve seen what they bring to a team, and they’ve been amazing, especially Katie, but Caitlin Foord as well, they’ve been here for so much longer than me. They’ve done so much for the club and they’ve contributed to the growth of where it all is now. If you look at where we are now, everything that we have to our availability at the training ground, playing games at the Emirates, I think tomorrow we’re going to play our 50th game at the Emirates, which is a milestone.

“How everything has grown, the football, the physical side of it, the technical, tactical side of it, the staff, everything. They’ve been part of that and they’ve been helping the team grow in different ways. They’ve been very important this season as well for us. They’re both two players with very high minutes across the squad. Again, for them as well, there’s two more games to go.”

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The defender joined Arsenal from Shelbourne in December 2015 after rejecting interest from Glasgow City, Chelsea and Manchester City. Her early years at the club were not straightforward, with limited opportunities and a temporary move back to Scotland, but Joe Montemurro converted her into a left-back and she gradually became a fixture in the side.

From 2018-19 onwards, McCabe established herself as one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers. She played more minutes than any other player as the club won the Women’s Super League title, and she has since added the FA Cup, League Cup and last season’s Women’s Champions League to her honours.

More than 200 appearances have brought more than 20 goals and a regular supply of assists from the left flank.

There has also been individual recognition, including selection in the PFA Team of the Year, Arsenal’s Player of the Season award in 2022-23, inclusion in the Women’s Champions League Team of the Season and a Ballon d’Or nomination.

The situation is complicated by Arsenal’s wider plans. Ona Batlle, the Spain international who can play at right-back and left-back, is set to join from Barcelona on a free transfer and is still expected to sign regardless of whether McCabe stays.

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Arsenal also signed 19-year-old Smilla Holmberg in January, with the Sweden international viewed as a key target.

Arsenal will move on from several out-of-contract players as part of that refresh. Manuela Zinsberger, Naomi Williams, Laia Codina, Victoria Pelova and Beth Mead are already confirmed to be leaving.

Steph Catley and Stina Blackstenius have recently signed new deals, in addition to Kim Little and Leah Williamson, but there is still uncertainty around others.

Foord is now expected to stay after being offered a new deal, while Mead looks likely to join her partner Vivienne Miedema at City.