Report: USWNT star Girma nears historic $1.1 million Chelsea transfer

San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma is closing in on a record $1.1 million transfer to Chelsea, per a report from The Athletic.

The two teams have agreed to a fee for the U.S. women's national team star, who will have to come to terms on a contract with the Blues before any move is finalized.

Should the deal go through, Girma would become the first $1 million transfer in women's soccer history. The current record is Rachel Kundananji's $860,000 move to Bay FC from Madrid CFF last year.

ESPN reported last week that Chelsea was leading the race for Girma, with Arsenal and Lyon also interested.

Girma's contract with San Diego runs through the 2026 season, meaning any interested clubs would have to pay a transfer fee to secure her services now.

The center back has emerged as one of the world's best since beginning her pro career in 2022, winning the NWSL Defender of the Year award in her first two seasons in the league.

During the Olympics last summer, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes declared Girma to be "the best defender I've ever seen."

Girma has earned 44 caps with the USWNT, helping the team win a gold medal at the Paris Games.