Manchester City Women have agreed to sell Brazil international Kerolin to Barcelona in a blockbuster deal worth around £470,000 (≈ $470,000) - the third-biggest transfer in women's football history. The 26-year-old leaves the club just one full season after arriving from North Carolina Courage in January 2025, having fired 14 direct goal contributions as City claimed their first Women's Super League title in a decade.
What happened to Kerolin at Manchester City Women?
Kerolin arrived at the Academy Stadium in January 2025 and needed only one full season to announce herself as a WSL game-changer. Her 14 goal contributions (goals + assists) last term were bettered only by Khadija Shaw, Alessia Russo and Vivianne Miedema as City lifted the title with 55 points from 22 games - four clear of Arsenal W. Under contract until summer 2028, the Brazil star had her best years ahead, but the financial pull of the Barcelona move proved irresistible.
Why did Manchester City Women cash in?
City are stacked in attack. With Shaw, Miedema, Mary Fowler, Lauren Hemp, Aoba Fujino and Iman Beney already on the books, plus England international Beth Mead signed this summer, the club can afford to sell a frontline asset. The incoming transfer fee gives City fresh capital to reshape the squad while Kerolin’s departure frees up minutes for Mead and the academy pair Sydney Schertenleib and Vicky Lopez, who are stepping up this season.
What’s next for Manchester City Women?
The WSL curtain-raiser is just weeks away. City kick off their title defence with a 62-goal, 19-conceded return from last term (+43 goal difference) and a recent run of five wins from five. With the squad reshaped and Mead now in the fold, manager Gareth Taylor has options up front - but the loss of a proven match-winner like Kerolin is a blow City will feel in Europe and at home.
League standing: 1st in FA WSL, 55 pts, 18W-1D-3L from 22 games, recent form WWLWW.
