Alexia Putellas targeted for groundbreaking move after Barcelona exit confirmed

Alexia Putellas is in talks over a groundbreaking move that would change the landscape of women's football forever after leaving Barcelona.

Putellas, 32, is a two-time winner of the Ballon d'Or Feminin and one of the greatest players in women's football history.

She won her fourth Champions League title with Barcelona on Saturday as they thrashed OL Lyonnes 4-0 in Oslo.

Her contract expires in the summer and there has been speculation for months that she would depart the club where she has achieved unprecedented success.

Barcelona announced on Tuesday that Putellas would be leaving as a free agent following 14 years at the club.

Putellas addressed her departure in a three-word message on Instagram, simply writing: "A perfect story."

An official ceremony to formally announce her exit took place on Wednesday.

Clubs from across European football will be pursuing the Spain midfielder this summer - but it may already be a foregone conclusion.

Putellas won the Champions League in her final appearance for Barcelona (Image: Getty)

According to BBC Sport, Women's Super League side London City Lionesses are 'confident' that they can sign Putellas, having already held numerous discussions with her.

London City only finished sixth in this season's WSL and will not play European football, but have invested heavily in new signings under the ownership of US billionaire businesswoman Michele Kang.

They signed midfielder Grace Geyoro from Paris Saint-Germain for around £1 million - a figure originally reported as a world record but later denied by the club's chief executive.

The acquisition of Putellas would be significant not only because of her profile and talent, but also because it would herald in an entirely new era in the WSL.

No club not named Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City or Manchester United have finished in the top three of the division since it was restructured back in 2017 - and that didn't look like changing any time soon until London City got promoted at the beginning of last season.

Who will Barcelona sign this summer?

Although their men's team hasn't won the Champions League since 2015, it is a much different story for Barcelona's women's team, who have dominated world football in recent seasons.

Though they have allowed a number of players - many of them younger talents - to leave in recent years, it hasn't stopped them continuing to be a elite force at the top of the women's game.

There were fears that could change this season, given that Barca couldn't even field a full matchday squad in September due to the amount of departures this time last year.

They have promoted a number of players up from the club's academy to play key roles in the first team - and that may have to happen again this summer rather than the arrival of players from outside of the club.

Star right-back Ona Batlle is reportedly close to joining Arsenal, while long-serving centre-back Mapi Leon will also depart.

Barca will keep hold of reigning three-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, who signed a 'record-breaking contract' with the club in 2024 to keep her in Spain until 2028.