Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps signed with a new agency amid mounting speculation over the Lionesses' future.
Earps, 30, seized headlines during last year’s January transfer window after a world-record bid for a women’s goalkeeper came in for the European champion from Women’s Super League rival Arsenal, while several top European clubs also expressed interest in procuring the World Cup runner-up’s services.
United’s hierarchy refused to sell the England No. 1 despite growing concern that Earps could depart the club for free upon the expiry of her current contract, which runs out in June this year.
Negotiations between Earps and United over a new contract reached an impasse over the summer.
And at the start of this season’s January transfer window, Earps will now be managed by A&V Sports, a firm that also represents stars like Chelsea ’s Sam Kerr and Catarina Macario and Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg, according to the Telegraph.
The Red Devils are persisting with offering Earps a new long-term deal amid the interest from clubs such as Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain. Arsenal are believed to still be keen in their pursuit of Earps, hoping to seal the transfer during the January transfer window or the end of the season.
After being crowned this year’s BBC Sport Personality of the Year, Earps admitted she has remained tight-lipped regarding her United future and labelled some of the speculation surrounding her future as ‘untrue and unjust’, though she denied the opportunity from committing her future anywhere.
"I don't know what happens currently," she told BBC Sport after being crowned the event’s winner. She added: "What I will say is there is a lot of stuff that's been put out there that isn't true. I've remained quiet for a reason.
"I feel I've behaved really professionally and with a lot of integrity through this whole situation. I play with heart and passion in everything I do and I drive standards. A lot of stuff that's been put out, isn't true.
"I want to say more but I can't at this stage and it's really hard for me to sit [and be] quiet when I see a lot of things that are not right. "I think it's an injustice but I know the appropriate thing to do is focus on my football and see what happens from there.”
Earps made clear at the start of the season her desire to compete in the Women’s Champions League, a feat that came to an abrupt end with United who were dumped out of the second round of qualifying to Paris Saint Germain earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s European campaign also ground to a premature halt this season after losing out to Paris FC in the qualifying stage’s first round.
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