Chelsea have emerged as strong contenders to sign Lucy Bronze, after Barcelona announced the England right-back would leave when her contract expires on Sunday.

Bronze is certain to be coveted by clubs all over the world but, according to sources, discussions have been held with regards to a possible switch to Chelsea. If the English club pull off the deal, it would be one of the highest-profile transfers of the summer. The Women’s Super League champions did not wish to comment when approached by the Guardian.

Bronze has 123 England caps and was a key part of the team that won 2022’s Women’s Euros and reached last year’s World Cup final. Last month she became the first English footballer to win five European Cups when she helped Barcelona to their second successive Women’s Champions League title.

She also won the trophy three times with Lyon, the former club of the new Chelsea manager, Sonia Bompastor, although the French coach was not Lyon’s manager during Bronze’s spell there.

Bronze is a two-time Women’s Super League title winner with Liverpool, in 2013 and 2014, and helped Manchester City lift their sole WSL title in 2016. In 2020 she was named as the Fifa Best women’s footballer of the year.

The 32-year-old leaves Barcelona after winning seven of a possible eight major trophies. The Spanish champions said in a statement: “This is the legacy left to FC Barcelona by one of the best defences in the history of women’s football.

“Lucy Bronze will not renew her contract that tied her to the club until 30 June of the current season. Lucy’s legacy at Barça is completed with a total of seven trophies. The club wishes Lucy Bronze the best of luck and success in her new stage, both personally and professionally.”