Manchester United midfielder Jackie Groenen is the subject of interest from Paris Saint-Germain in the closing stages of the summer transfer window.
Groenen joined United in the summer of 2019, agreeing her move just before starring at that summer’s World Cup with Netherlands. She quickly became a fan favourite but her future at Leigh Sports Village has been uncertain in recent months.
The 27-year-old is in the final season of her contract and is yet to agree a new deal.
In France, RMC has reported that Groenen is interested in joining PSG and has already reached a deal over personal terms. But because she is still under contract, United would have to agree to a sale and they are not keen on letting her go.
Speaking in April, United assistant coach Martin Ho said, “Jackie is part of the football club and under contract at this football club. She’s a big part of the plans we’ve got here moving forward. She’s influential and you can see that within the games she plays.
“We work hard behind the scenes now at this time of the season, as every club does, to make sure that you keep the players you want to keep. We’ll continue to do that and work hard behind the scenes as a group of staff, to make sure that we continue to develop the squad.”
If Groenen runs down her contract, she would be available as a free agent next summer.
Part of the appeal of PSG is thought to be Champions League football. Despite never winning the competition, the French giants are well established at Europe’s highest level and reached the semi-finals again last season.
United fell short of qualifying after finishing fourth in the WSL again last season and are hoping to finally break into the top three in 2022/23 after recruiting well in the summer.
Marc Skinner is confident that United is a ‘very attractive club’ and the lack of Champions League football might only affect the ‘top 2% of players’.
“When you’re in the Champions League, I think it opens up a different kind of door to players – we’d be silly not to think that way. But you would be surprised, or probably you wouldn’t, by just how attractive an opportunity Manchester United is for a player because there is so much growth,” he said on the matter.
“They can see the direction we’re travelling. Maybe [not being in the Champions League] does affect the top 2% of players, but Manchester United is a very attractive club.”
As well as Groenen being out of contract next summer, United also face losing key players Ona Batlle and Alessia Russo if they don’t agree new deals. Russo is thought to have rejected an offer shortly before starring at Euro 2022 with England.
Ultimately, qualifying for the Champions League is vital to take the club to the next level and satisfy the appetite of ambitious and talented players.
