Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro says he is “quietly confident” that Leah Williamson will sign a new contract before her current deal expires in the summer. The BBC’s Jo Currie reported on Thursday that the England international is subject to interest from clubs in France and Germany (Leah is on record that she wouldn’t play for another WSL club).
In his pre-Manchester City press conference, I asked Montemurro what the situation was with Leah’s contract as well as Jill Roord, whose deal also expires in the summer. “We’re still in discussions and they have been going on for the last month or so but it’s all looking very positive,” Joe told Arseblog News. “I’ve spoken to Leah quite a lot and we’re in the final throes of sorting her out.”
When asked about interest from other clubs, Montemurro was sanguine, “It’s an honour really when a lot of the biggest clubs in Europe are interested, not just in Leah, but she’s a fantastic Arsenal academy player and a player that personifies what we’re trying to do here. I am quietly confident that Leah will be signing on to be an Arsenal player.”
I understand Arsenal and England defender Leah Williamson is attracting the interest of several top European clubs.
The 23-year-old is into the last six months of her Arsenal contract and is yet to sign a new deal.
Lyon, PSG and Wolfsburg are all said to be interested.
— Jo Currie (@JoCurrie) February 4, 2021
One player who has extended her deal is goalkeeper Manu Zinsberger, I asked Montemurro about re-signing the Austrian number 1 and he said, “To have a very talented goalkeeper who really suits our style of play, especially in build-up and the ability to be involved in all facets of that is really important to us. The footballing side is one part of it but the other aspect is her professionalism and her character, she is just an amazing person to have around the dressing room too.”
I cannot see Leah leaving unless Lyon or Wolfsburg knock on her door and make an offer she can’t refuse.
I started following Arsenal women, thanks to Williamson. Don’t you dare lose it!
I think Leah would always want to stay with Arsenal. But you don’t know what the future holds. Maybe there is a moment where she needs to put her own needs above her love for Arsenal. And you don’t want to be confronted with talks about how she’s never ever leaving and suddenly making a change. The possibility is always there and she’s just putting it out there. But I think she’s just finalizing her stay and making sure she’s getting what she deserves. Doesn’t mean she’s staying forever. We’ll see in the next 2 to 3 years I guess.
She is Arsenal through and through ♥️