Arsenal Football Club is reportedly engaged in advanced negotiations to acquire the services of prominent defender Ona Batlle, whose current agreement with Barcelona is slated to conclude at the end of the upcoming summer transfer window. While a definitive agreement has yet to be finalized, discussions are actively progressing. Arsenal maintains a keen interest in the full-back, who possesses the invaluable ability to perform effectively on both flanks of the defensive line.
Should this transfer come to fruition, it would signify Batlle's departure from her second tenure at Barcelona following the conclusion of the current season. She rose through the ranks of the club's academy before embarking on a professional journey that included a successful spell with Manchester United in the Women’s Super League (WSL) between 2020 and 2023. Her return to the WSL would undoubtedly be a notable event in women's football.
The 26-year-old's existing contract, inked in 2023 upon her transfer from Manchester United to Barcelona, is scheduled to lapse in late June. This impending expiry empowers her to freely engage in negotiations with other clubs. This season, Batlle has made 19 appearances across all competitions, playing a crucial role in Barcelona's commanding position at the summit of Liga F, where they boast 16 victories from 17 matches and are relentlessly pursuing their seventh consecutive top-flight championship.
Batlle initially joined Barcelona's B team in 2014, but a limited pathway to the senior squad prompted her departure three years later at the age of 18. She subsequently moved to Madrid CFF following their promotion to Liga F. Her career trajectory then led her to Levante in 2018, where she spent two seasons before making the switch to England with Manchester United two years later. After featuring in 77 matches for United, Batlle rejoined Barcelona in the summer of 2023 upon the expiration of her contract with the English club.
During her time at Manchester United, Batlle expressed her enduring connection to Barcelona, stating, "I left with the mindset I could come back. For me, Barca has always been in my heart and it’s not easy to say no." Since her homecoming, Batlle has enjoyed considerable success, contributing to Barcelona's triumphs in Liga F and the Copa de la Reina twice each, as well as securing the Spanish Super Cup on three occasions.
Batlle has also been a prominent figure on the international stage, representing Spain 49 times and playing an integral role in the squad that clinched the World Cup title in 2023. Arsenal, currently positioned third in the WSL table and trailing leaders Chelsea by 10 points, has been actively reinforcing its squad. In January, the North London club acquired defender Smilla Holmberg from Swedish side Hammarby IF, extended head coach Renee Slegers' contract until 2029, and appointed former England international Jodie Taylor as technical director. Reports also indicate that Arsenal is a strong contender to sign England international midfielder Georgia Stanway once her contract with Bayern Munich concludes this summer.
This potential acquisition underscores Arsenal's strategic ambitions to strengthen their roster with top-tier talent. Batlle's experience, defensive prowess, and winning mentality would undoubtedly be a significant asset to the team as they continue their pursuit of domestic and European honors. The coming months will reveal whether Arsenal can successfully finalize this high-profile transfer.