Soccer fans have been wondering whether Lieke Martens will sign a new contract with FC Barcelona or move to a new club after five seasons, but the Dutch star is on the move. Le Parisien reports that Martens has reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain and will leave Barcelona during the summer transfer window. The announcement surprised fans since Martens recently talked about how happy she is with Barcelona.
Last season, Barcelona and PSG faced off in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals. Martens scored two goals that helped Barcelona advance to the final. Barcelona went on to win their first Champions League title.
Great field-level view of Lieke Martens’ brace that put Barça into the a Champions final with Chelsea. Incredible assists first by Leila Ouahabi and the second by Caroline Graham Hansen. pic.twitter.com/Mth9mTul6o
— SoccerGirlDad (@SoccerGirlDad) May 3, 2021
Martens’ Teammate Comments on the Transfer Rumor
Fellow Barcelona forward Caroline Graham Hansen doesn’t believe that the alleged deal is real. Graham Hansen commented on DAZN Football’s post about Martens’ move, calling the deal “fake news.” No other Barcelona players have publicly commented on the rumor. Barcelona fans hope that Graham Hansen has more accurate information than Le Parisien.
Caroline Graham Hansen calling the LIEKE MARTENS TO PSG news fake.
— Atanu (@atanu_74) May 13, 2022
🍿 pic.twitter.com/s8WeYUfXNM
Troubling Times at PSG?
The rumored move to Paris is interesting because of off-pitch issues that PSG players have faced this season. In November, two unknown men attacked midfielder Kheira Hamraoui. Her teammate Aminata Diallo was arrested in relation to the attack but was released without charges. Last month, Hamraoui was removed from practice and the Champions League roster because she got into a fight with another teammate. Tensions are high at PSG, so why join them now?
Where do you think Martens will end up? I think she’ll sign a new contract with Barcelona, especially if they win this year’s Champions League final. Once the season ends and the summer transfer window gets closer, we should better understand Martens’ plans.
For more women’s sports content, check out Beyond Women’s Sports.