Man Utd ‘set to sign’ former Arsenal defender on free transfer

Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign former VfL Wolfsburg defender Dominique Janssen, according to reports.

It’s been a turbulent week for the Manchester club after the high profile departures of Mary Earps and Katie Zelem, the comments from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that plans for the women’s side are ‘TBC’ and claims they will be forced into portable buildings to accommodate the men’s team while the Carrington training base undergoes a £50m renovation.

However, it seems some good news could be on the way for United fans as BBC Sport report that they are closing in on the signing of Janssen - their first signing of the summer window.

The Dutch international is set to sign on a free transfer in a bid to ease United’s defensive concerns compounded by long-term injuries to key players, including Gabby George.

Janssen already has WSL experience under her belt as she spent four years at Arsenal between 2015 and 2019. There, she amassed over 100 appearances and won one league title, one FA Cup and two League Cups.

At international level, the defender has represented the Netherlands over 100 times after making her senior debut in 2014. She was also part of the Dutch team that won the Euros in 2017 under the now Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman.

At Wolfsburg, who she joined from Arsenal in 2019, Janssen won two Frauen Bundesliga titles and five DFB Cups over her five-year stint at the German club.

Janssen had been linked with a number of WSL clubs after it was announced in May she would be leaving Wolfsburg at the end of her contract. Manchester City, Chelsea and even Arsenal were all reported as possible destinations, but it is United who now look likely to win the race for her signature.

READ THE LATEST WOMEN'S FOOTBALL NEWS, FEATURES & ANALYSIS