Chelsea Women are closing in on a six-figure deal for Everton defender Nathalie Bjorn.
The 26-year-old is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract and Emma Hayes’ first signing in January, and potentially the last of her tenure as head coach.
Bjorn is a centre-back and has been one of Everton’s best performers this season. She has 57 caps for Sweden and played at the World Cup in the summer.
Chelsea have looked short in central defence this season and Jess Carter, who is primarily a full-back, has often filled in there, with Millie Bright unable to play every match.
Bjorn is closer to signing for Chelsea than Real Madrid, who are also interested, despite uncertainty within the club amid the ongoing search to update Hayes.
Hayes would continue through the end of the season before ending her 11-year stint at Chelsea to take over as the U. S. women’s national team ahead of the Paris Olympics.
She is currently with the Chelsea squad in Agadir, Morocco. The warm-weather training camp will help Chelsea rebuild fitness during the WSL winter break.
Chelsea start their season with an FA Cup fourth-round draw against West Ham at Kingsmeadow next weekend.
Les Bleus have until January 31 to sign players to bolster their efforts to compete on all four fronts of the WSL, whether in domestic cups or the Champions League.
Chelsea have also held talks with Montpellier defender Maelle Lakrar, but it is possible that they will simply end their interest with the arrival of Bjorn.
That could spice up Barcelona’s efforts to win the race to sign Lakrar.
Jelena Cankovic and Aimee Claypole could leave for permanent or loan deals in January respectively, which could create an area for skill to flourish on an already giant team.
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