Chelsea Set to Sign Melvine Malard in Record Sale for Manchester United Women

Chelsea are set to sign Manchester United forward Melvine Malard for a fee that could reach £850,000, according to multiple reports, marking a club-record sale for United Women. The transfer, nearing completion, sees Malard reunite with former Lyon manager Sonia Bompastor at Stamford Bridge. The 26-year-old France international is expected to complete a medical before the deal is finalized, with sources suggesting the fee could be closer to £750,000 than the reported £850,000. Manchester United confirmed they agreed to the sale to avoid losing Malard for free next summer, as she has one year remaining on her contract. The transfer would represent the highest fee ever received by Manchester United Women, surpassing previous sales.

Malard, who joined United from Lyon in 2023, has been a key figure for the club, scoring six goals in 18 Women’s Super League starts and adding four more during United’s run to their first Champions League quarter-final last season. She registered 19 goal involvements in all competitions, making her United’s most productive attacker. The 26-year-old has rejected offers to extend her contract, opting instead to seek a new challenge. Manchester United attempted to negotiate a new deal but ultimately agreed to the sale, with the club stating they would reinvest the transfer fee into the team. Marc Skinner’s side is expected to remain active in the transfer market, which remains open until 3 September.

The move reunites Malard with Sonia Bompastor, the Chelsea manager, who previously coached her at Lyon. The two have a friendship that has lasted over a decade, dating back to when Bompastor encouraged Malard to leave the island of Réunion and join Lyon as a youngster. Bompastor, now at Chelsea, has been a consistent admirer of Malard’s versatility, which allows her to play centrally or from a wider position. Chelsea’s pursuit of Malard has been ongoing, with the club tracking the forward for an extended period. The deal comes as the Blues look to bolster their attacking options following the departure of Sam Kerr to Gotham FC and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s transfer to Lyon. Malard is expected to become Chelsea’s third signing of the summer, joining versatile Arsenal defender Katie McCabe and Japanese midfielder Manaka Matsukubo.

For Chelsea, the acquisition of Malard strengthens their forward line, which has been reshaped this summer. The club has also agreed to a new contract for England forward Aggie Beever-Jones, further solidifying their attacking options. Malard’s arrival adds senior experience to a squad that includes Beever-Jones and summer signings. The 26-year-old’s decision to join Chelsea follows her time under Bompastor at Lyon, where she developed a strong relationship with the manager.

The transfer also highlights Manchester United’s strategy of reinvesting in the squad, as they aim to strengthen their position in the Women’s Super League. With the transfer window set to close on 3 September, both clubs remain focused on strengthening their rosters ahead of the new season.

The deal has been widely reported in the media, with BBC Sport noting that Chelsea agreed to a fee of around £850,000 to sign the France international. The transfer was confirmed by The Guardian, which highlighted Malard’s desire to reunite with Bompastor. Sources close to the club have described the move as a “major coup” for Chelsea, with the Frenchwoman’s experience and adaptability seen as crucial for the team’s ambitions. Malard’s decision to leave Manchester United comes after a successful stint with the club, where she played a pivotal role in their recent successes.