Chelsea are closing in on the signing of San Diego Wave centre-back Naomi Girma for a world-record fee exceeding $1 million.

Chelsea have reportedly agreed to pay the San Diego Wave a record-setting $1.1 million transfer fee for USWNT star defender Naomi Girma, per Meg Linehan

Girma, one of the best center backs in the world, will head to Chelsea in exchange for a record $1.1 million transfer fee. Chelsea, Arsenal and Lyon had all reportedly shown interest in acquiring the 24-year-old defender, per ESPN; in the end, Chelsea won out.

San Diego Wave and American international center-back Naomi Girma agreed to move to English side Chelsea for a world-record women's transfer fee of $1.1 million, The Athletic's Meg Linehan reported Tuesday.

A world-record deal of around £890,000 ($1.1m) has been agreed for Chelsea to sign defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave; the current record is £695,000 ($860,000) when Racheal Kundananji moved to Bay FC from Madrid CFF;

The fees surpasses the record $860,000 paid by the American club Bay FC for Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF last year.

Chelsea are leading the race to sign San Diego Wave centre-back Naomi Girma, while Arsenal and Lyon are also interested in the United States women's national team star, sources have told ESPN.

In becoming the most expensive player in women's football history, Girma also, of course, became the most expensive American player. She breaks the record previously held by Lindsey Horan who moved to French side Lyon in the summer of 2023.

Chelsea Women have agreed to terms with the San Diego Wave for the transfer of U.S. women’s national team defender Naomi Girma for a record $1.1 million fee, according to sources briefed on the negotiations.

Women's Super League champions Chelsea were in a tussle with French giants Lyon for her signature, with Girma widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. The 24-year-