Alexia Putellas is officially London city Lionesses player. All eyes were on Michele Kang

It's actually happening. Alexia Putellas is transferring to London City Lionesses. What seemed to be impossible last season is now reality. When La Reina Announced her departure from Barcelona after 14 years, all eyes were on Michele Kang. 

Few days ago a move took place that seemed impossible to happen: Alexia Putellas announced her departure from FC Barcelona. The Captain and icon of the Catalan club said goodbye to the team after 14 years defending the Barça colours, becoming one of the worldwide know female footballers. The announcement generated different questions among fans, among which he highlighted what his next team would be. After practically a life linked to the team, it is difficult to see Alexia Putellas dressed in another kit. But, since July 8 2026, it's reality. 

After Putellas' departure, all eyes were on Michele Kang, the great football tycoon who holds OL Lyonnes, currently the men’s Olympique de Lyon as well, the Washington Spirit and the London City Lionesses after founding Kynisca, the first global multi-team organisation dedicated to women’s football. Right now it is the protagonist of the market in women’s football, having the economic amounts that have broken the women’s football market and different records.

Alexia Putellas joined London City Lionesses on July 8 2026. Probably the biggest transfer in women's football history was announced by Jen Beattie in New York.

English team that achieved promotion to the Women’s Super League in the 24/25 season and in which Michele Kang has made a great economic injection to create a team that can compete for everything. In addition, the team incorporated great renowned stars into its team such as Delphine Cascarino, Mary Earps, Danielle Van de Donk, or  Grace Geyoro, among other well known faces. In addition, Geyoro’s transfer from PSG to the English team was the most expensive one in history to date, following a payment of $1.65 million.

Michele Kang is known as ‘An American businesswoman’, a label that speaks volumes. Born in South Korea, Kang studied in the United States and soon became an entrepreneur. Today, her goal is to close the pay gap between men’s and women’s football. Consecquently, she has made a major impact n the women’s game through significant financial investment. To this end, she established Kynisca, a club holding company and the first investment fund dedicated to women’s football.

Michele Kang paid around $35 million to acquire the Washington Spirit, having already purchased an initial stake in 2020. Following a legal battle lasting over a year, she became the majority shareholder in 2022. She subsequently purchased the Olympique Lyonnais women’s team for €21.3 million, rebranding the club by changing its crest and name to OL Lyoness. Finally, she did the same with London City Lionesses while the team was competing in England’s second division.

How is gonna Putellas change the Women's Super League?

Following the departure of Alexia Putellas and her potential move to the English team, public opinion has been divided between those who admire Michele Kang’s profile and work and those who oppose the magnate’s financial clout. For the moment, few clubs can compete in the transfer market with the South Korean, who possesses financial power matched by very few. 

Furthermore, the potential moves of Salma Paralluelo and Mapi León to London City, a team that has effectively just been promoted, have once again drawn attention to Michele Kang, who has emerged as one of Barça’s major rivals in the transfer market after “snatching” several of their players.

The question now is how the biggest transfer in the history of women's football will reshape the WSL, especially after the league recorded a decline in attendances last season. Even before Putellas' arrival was confirmed, London City Lionesses had already reported record season ticket sales. A similar surge is now expected in shirt sales, while the signing is likely to generate increased interest from supporters, broadcasters and sponsors alike.

If that momentum carries into the season, Putellas' move could have an impact that extends far beyond the pitch.