The Ireland captain turned down a late Arsenal contract offer and is now expected to move across London.
Katie McCabe looks set to anger Arsenal supporters by joining Chelsea when she leaves the club at the end of her contract. According to Tim Stillman, the Blues are the “front runners to sign Katie McCabe.”
The BBC, meanwhile, are firmer, writing, “Chelsea are set to sign Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe following her exit from Arsenal.”
The Ireland captain was offered a late contract renewal by Arsenal in April but turned it down, bringing an end to an 11-year spell in north London.
She is now close to a move across the capital to one of Arsenal’s biggest rivals, only weeks after helping knock Chelsea out of the Champions League quarter-finals.
McCabe’s departure was already emotional enough. The 30-year-old made 305 appearances for Arsenal and became one of the club’s greatest players of the Women’s Super League era, helping them win the title in 2019 and playing a key role in the Champions League triumph in 2025. She also leaves with an FA Cup, three League Cups and one Champions Cup medal.
But to go to Chelsea?
As a club, they have long admired McCabe, even if their fans do not feel the same way, and have now seemingly beaten Manchester City to her signature.
Chelsea previously tried to sign her in 2015 and again in 2023, but only now have they been able to take advantage of her contract situation.
- Arsenal loanee provides assist amid permanent transfer reportsArsenal loanee Charles Sagoe Jr. provided another goal contribution with Kalmar FF over the weekend, amid interest in a permanent transfer from AIK Fotboll.
- Only 3 clubs will earn more than Arsenal from FIFA’s World Cup payoutsOnly three clubs will earn more than Arsenal in FIFA’s World Cup payouts, according to analysis of the Club Benefits Programme.
- Official: Young talent signs for Arsenal from SpursElijah Upson has signed for Arsenal, joining the club after rejecting a new contract with Tottenham Hotspur.
- How Chelsea won Morgan Rogers race over ArsenalMorgan Rogers was Arsenal’s priority target for the 2026 summer transfer window, so why did he end up agreeing to join Chelsea instead?
- Arsenal target rejects contract extension with BournemouthAlex Scott has turned down a contract extension offer from Bournemouth, but the club remain committed to keeping him amid interest from Arsenal and others.