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Manchester United are set to complete the signing of the Germany striker Lea Schüller on a permanent transfer from Bayern Munich.
Schüller, who has six months left on her contract, has been a prolific goalscorer for club and country, scoring more than 100 goals for Bayern and 54 times in 82 games for her country, and she will be seen as a marquee signing for the Women’s Super League side.
Her exit from Bayern has been anticipated since she appeared to be fighting back tears when applauding the German club’s supporters after a victory over Bayer Leverkusen this month, on a day when she watched the match from the stands. The German newspaper Bild reported on 23 December that the Frauen-Bundesliga was losing one of its top strikers and, according to multiple sources, all the paperwork is now finalised for the transfer.
The 28-year-old’s arrival should represent a significant boost to United’s forward line. She has been very consistent in front of goal in Germany’s top flight – for seven consecutive seasons up to and including last term, Schüller reached at least a double-figures tally of league goals, winning the Golden Boot in 2021-22 with 16 goals.
Securing Schüller’s signature comes at a time when United appear to be gathering momentum. After qualifying for the Champions League knockout phase playoffs in a seeded position thanks to an away victory over Juventus, they beat Tottenham in the League Cup quarter-finals. So far during the WSL’s winter break they have announced the signing of the Sweden right-back Hanna Lundkvist on a three-and-a-half-year deal and on Sunday they confirmed that the Japan midfielder Hinata Miyazawa has signed a new contract at the club.
On extending the contract of Miyazawa, who has become something of a fan favourite since arriving in 2023, United’s director of football, Matt Johnson, told the club’s media channels: “She has become a critical component to the way we play. Her footballing intelligence and technical ability enables her and the team to control and dictate play from central areas.”
Lundkvist, who has joined from the NWSL side San Diego Wave, said: “You can feel how much they [United] have grown in the last few years, competing in one of the strongest leagues in the world and performing in the Champions League.”
