Chelsea has agreed to a transfer fee with Manchester United for England striker Lauren James.
The deal is worth up to £200,000 including bonuses and will be a record transfer between two Women’s Super League clubs.
James has already undergone a medical at Chelsea and personal terms are now being discussed. One of the reasons behind the transfer is James’ desire to move back down south to be closer to her family. Her brother Reece plays for Chelsea’s men’s team.
James joined United from Arsenal in 2017 aged 16, becoming the second-youngest player in the side’s history. She made an instant impact, scoring 14 goals as they won promotion from the Championship at the first attempt. James also scored United’s first Women’s Super League goal, putting them on course to a 2-0 win over Liverpool in September 2019.
She helped secure a fourth-place finish in last season’s Women’s Super League, 10 points behind champions Chelsea. James has represented England at U17 and U19 levels and was called into a senior training camp in November.