Barcelona fend off Chelsea interest to tie Aitana Bonmati down to new contract
- Bonmati has signed a new contract with Barcelona
- Reports claim Ballon d'Or winner is now highest-paid player in women's football
- Chelsea had chased deal for World Cup-winning midfielder
By Tom Gott
Barcelona have confirmed that midfielder Aitana Bonmati has signed a new contract to remain with the club until 2028.
The Ballon d'Or winner's previous contract was due to expire in the summer of 2025 and the world's richest clubs had already begun to circle, putting pressure on Barcelona to secure the signature of arguably the top player in the world.
A deal has now been struck, with Bonmati inking a new four-year contract with the Spanish giants.
While the details of Bonmati's salary will remain hidden, numerous reports state she has now become the highest-paid player in women's football.
Barcelona faced significant pressure from WSL giants Chelsea who, according to Bonmati's agent, were prepared to trigger her €3m (£2.5m) release clause.
"Chelsea was willing to pay the €3m release clause," Cristian Martin told Catalunya Radio. "That Barca can compete with offers of this calibre shows you that, instead of lowering the women's budget, it's the other way around.
Furthermore, Barca wants to continue to capitalise on the hegemony it has. It is the club that has monetised it best and strengthened their brand."
Bonmati follows two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas in committing her future to the club this summer.
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