Arseblog News understands that Hammarby’s Australian midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross is set to join Arsenal Women today. Cooney-Cross is set for a medical in London this afternoon with photoshoots and club media booked for later today.
Cooney-Cross is a defensive midfielder and ought to end the Gunners’ long wait for another natural number six to compete and rotate with Lia Walti, the 21-year-old was among the best performers at this summer’s World Cup.
Manchester United and Chelsea both had interest in the player but with Hammarby quoting a price understood to be in the region of £150,000, clubs were put off with the player’s contract at Hammarby set to expire in December when she would be available on a free transfer.
Arsenal have decided not to take the risk by waiting until January and have put down a fee which Sky Sports’ Anton Toloui reports at around £140,000. Cooney-Cross was in the stands for the Gunners’ victory over Linkoping last week but, given she lives in Sweden and two of her international teammates (Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley) play for Arsenal, Arseblog News thought little of it.
However, multiple sources confirmed to Arseblog News and fellow women’s football journalist Rich Laverty this morning that the player was flying into London today with a deal expected to be struck by the midnight deadline for international deals. The deadline for domestic deals is 11pm tonight.
Assuming there are no complications, Cooney-Cross will be Arsenal’s fifth summer signing after Alessia Russo, Cloe Lacasse, Amanda Ilestedt and Laia Codina.
Curious that yanited would be put off by the same amount they’ve had to offer for Gabby George (although tbf, that defence of theirs needs serious attention)
Basically, any £ of the budget or minute of their time or scintilla of attention which ManU expend on their women’s team is hugely resented, it seems to me.
Wow! I had resigned myself to her going to Chelsea, so this is a wonderful surprise.
Not wishing to sound greedy but is there any news about a RB?
I thought we were in for a defender and Mary Earp’s.
I wonder if the Earps bid was similar to our Russo one – we know it’ll get rejected, but it shows the player we are serious, and we want them to join us. We run a much more professional set up than United and we’ll offer a decent wage too.
That’s what I assumed. Also no need for her to agree a new deal with United now – she can sit back and wait to see what other offers come in, probably safe in the knowledge that Utd can’t or won’t match them.
When I commented on the article about Mary Earps that I didn’t see why Man U would sell, it got downvoted to hell.
Funny, that.
Given Chelsea’s interest, this is an excellent signing and only 21. She was impressive in the World Cup.
Really excited about this. Thought she was excellent at the world cup and is young.
When’s the deadline dawg?
Absolutely brilliant signing – a young player who excelled at the World Cup for Australia. Definitely worth paying such a fee for this player! And of course she plays in a very necessary position for Arsenal, of defensive midfielder.
As an Aussie and a gunner I couldn’t be happier. She is going to tear it up in England.
Really hoping this goes through (it’s now 10.30 pm). It shows real long-term commitment by the club. With Viv and Leah back, I don’t think I’m being unrealistic to hope (expect?) that we can win the Champions’ League in 2025.
Anyone know if the deal has been done??