The future of the England No 1has been shroud in uncertainty amid stalled contract negotiations with Manchester United since last summer’s European championships
Mary Earps looks likely to depart Manchester United amid an ongoing contract saga
Manchester United are preparing for the departure of goalkeeper Mary Earps with West Ham United’s Mackenzie Arnold leading the list of potential replacements.
Earps’ future at United has been uncertain for some time amid stilted contract negotiations between club and player since the culmination of last summer’s Women’s European championships.
The Lioness’ current contract was due to expire at the end of June before a one-year extension was triggered last season. However, both parties have remained at loggerheads since regarding another deal, with the September 14 WSL transfer deadline looming into focus.
Arsenal made a world-record transfer bid for Earps following the Women’s World Cup. United rejected the offer, insisting she was not for sale. But the bid, coupled with the protracted nature of the contract saga, has seen England’s first choice keeper push for a departure from the club.
And while United have remained firm on their stance of refusing to sell Earps, sources have confirmed the club have begun to prepare for Earps’ imminent departure with a shortlist of potential replacements cobbled together.
Mirror Football understands the top target for United is West Ham’s Mackenzie Arnold. The Australia goalkeeper was a formidable force for the co-hosts Down Under, saving three penalties in a dramatic quarter-final shootout win over France and propelling herself into the national spotlight in the process.
Arnold was also largely the difference maker in keeping the Hammers safe from WSL relegation after a below-par second-half of the season.
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The Matildas No.1’s current contract in east London runs out next summer after the keeper signed a one-year extension at the start of last season. West Ham have also ostensibly prepared for the threat of Arnold’s departure this summer with two of their four recruits being goalkeepers.
United are thought to be exploring a number of possible options in goal with OL Reign goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce also on their radar. But while previously they may have simply wanted competition for Earps or an improvement in the back-up goalkeeper department, now it appears they will need to sign a direct replacement before the transfer window closes.
United have already lost Alessia Russo to WSL title rivals Arsenal this summer and a second Lioness leaving in the space of a few months would leave a big question mark over their desire to become a trophy-winning club.
Mackenzie Arnold of Australia celebrates Australia’s goal against England in the Women’s World Cup semi-final (
Image:
Alex Pantling - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Conspicuously, United didn’t post on their social media channels to mark Earps’ Ballon d’Or nomination late on Wednesday evening, suggesting her relationship with the club is on rocky terms.
Last season, Earps was an indomitable force between the sticks for United as they pushed reigning champions Chelsea to the brink in the league and FA Cup. She won the league’s Golden Glove award ahead of Arsenal’s Manuela Zinsberger, conceding only 12 goals in 22 games with 14 clean sheets to her name.
She also became the first WSL goalkeeper to keep 50 clean sheets across the league and won the title of best goalkeeper in the world at the 2022 FIFA Best Awards.
