Mary Earps’ contract with Manchester United is set to expire in a matter of days and the England goalkeeper looks set to join French giants Paris Saint-Germain
Mary Earps is set to leave Manchester United and join Paris Saint-Germain to become the highest-paid women’s goalkeeper in the world.
The England No 1’s contract at United expires in a matter of days. Speculation has swirled around the future of the shot-stopper amid ongoing negotiations, which began after England’s European Championship victory in July 2022.
United turned down a world-record bid for a goalkeeper when Arsenal tried to sign Earps during last summer’s transfer window. And now United look set to lose Earps on a free transfer with PSG reportedly convincing the Euro 2022 winner to join the French giants.
According to Le Parisien, Earps’ exit should be announced at the end of the week upon the expiry of her contract at the end of the month. The 31-year-old, who crowned World No 1 by FIFPRO in 2022 and 2023, is reportedly expected to become the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world.
The business is PSG’s first in the summer transfer window, with French defender Griedge Mbock also expected to join. Earps’ exit will mark a huge blow to United’s new INEOS era. News of the impending departure arrives days after new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe admitted, much to the chagrin of fans, that plans for United’s senior women’s team were “to be confirmed”, adding that focus has been directed at the “first team”.
In May, Earps said any decision to accept a new deal with the Red Devils would boil down to assurances provided by United’s hierarchy regarding the future of the club and women’s team.
The United keeper has not been coy about her desire to play in the game’s highest echelons, including the Women’s Champions League, which United will not be privy to next season after finishing a disappointing fifth in the Women’s Super League, 20 points off title winners Chelsea.
And while United claimed their first piece of silverware in their FA Cup final victory over Tottenham Hotspur last season, the dubious direction of Manchester United Women has been a point of contention for many players, according to reports.
United lost two of its star players in Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle on free transfers last summer, with reports suggesting that the protracted nature of the negotiations coupled with an unconvincing long-term plan for the team played roles in their decisions.
United boss Marc Skinner insisted that the FA Cup final could be a springboard from which United could establish themselves amongst the upper echelons, while it was also believed a major trophy could potentially influence Earps’ decision to remain at the club. According to Le Parisian, nothing is official of the Earps deal yet and there are still the final details to be resolved.
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