Arsenal face a challenge to retain one of their leading women’s players, with Katie McCabe identified by Lyon as a firm target this summer.
The north London side recently saw Vivianne Miedema, the Women’s Super League’s all-time top scorer, move to rivals Manchester City on a free transfer when her contract expired.
Arsenal decided against offering Miedema a new deal — the decorated former Barcelona forward Mariona Caldentey has joined as a replacement — whereas McCabe signed fresh terms last year and the club want her to stay.
However, that has not dissuaded Lyon from pursuing the 28-year-old left-back and they are ready to make a formal bid if Arsenal show any indication they are willingo do business.
Lyon collected a 17th French title last season but were denied their ninth Champions League triumph by Barcelona and, following the exit of Sonia Bompastor to Chelsea, recruited former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro as head coach.
Having enjoyed a successful spell at Juventus most recently, Montemurro will be responsible for re-establishing Lyon’s dominant position in Europe and a potential reunion with Republic of Ireland captain McCabe is high on his agenda.
Lyon have contacted Arsenal to express their interest and were informed she is not for sale — McCabe has inherited Miedema’s number 11 shirt and is a part of their plans the 2024-25 campaign — though the desire remains strong.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or nominee was subject to a lucrative proposal from Chelsea in January of that year, while City and Bayern Munich were also keen admirers prior to Lyon’s current push.
Montemurro was in charge of Arsenal between 2017-2021, during which he managed McCabe. She arrived from Shelbourne in 2015 and has won the WSL, FA Cup and three League Cups.
McCabe missed Ireland’s Euro 2025 qualifier against England on Friday through suspension.
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Katie McCabe: ‘You’ll do anything to win. There’s been a few where I’m like, I shouldn’t have done that…’
(Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images)
