Chelsea are 'set to snap up Lucy Bronze on a free transfer'

Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Lionesses star Lucy Bronze and Spanish youth international Julia Bartel both on a free transfer, according to reports.

The Blues are out to finally end their long wait for a Champions League title next season and new manager Sonia Bompastor is looking to add some new faces to her squad who have fresh experience of winning the illustrious European title.

Bronze, is arguably one of British football's best exports, having claimed five Champions League titles in her distinguished career and three Women's Super League titles.

The full back's contract at Barcelona expired on June 27, and, according to The Guardian, Chelsea are 'set to sign the Lionesses star on a free transfer.'

The Guardian adds that the club have an 'agreement in place for the Euro 2022 winner to join the west London club' this summer.

While there has been much interest in Bronze from clubs around the world, Bompastor's side seem to be the front-runners to land the England Women's star, in what could be one of the biggest transfers this summer.

Bronze, who has 123 England caps, helped Barcelona Femeni clinch their second successive Women's Champions League title in May.

She is now set to make her return to England, having joined the Catalan outfit back in 2022, returning five goals in 70 appearances, while winning seven trophies.

It comes after her fellow England star, Mary Earps, yesterday unveiled that she had left Manchester United and signed a two-year contract with paris Saint-Germain.

Earps had notably turned down a new contract offer from the Red Devils, claiming that the club's ambitions did not align with hers.

Bronze is set to join Chelsea alongside 20-year-old midfielder Bartel, who made her senior debut for Barcelona back in 2021 at the age of 17 years old - the fourth youngest player to feature for their senior squad.

She has also been capped at age level for Spain, notably making two appearances for Spain's U23 side.