It’s just a matter of time until the 2025 NWSL is set to kick off. 14 sides have begun with their pre-season camp as preparations look tight not just for on-pitch but off it as well. For San Diego Waves, however, the situation looks slightly different as instead of making additions, they are potentially on the verge of losing their key chess piece in Naomi Girma. Beyond the superstar center-back’s unfortunate absence from the current USWNT camp, she is on the tabs of many European clubs. However, the biggest interest seems to be from France. 

Talk about creating an impression as the 24-year-old has surely caught the attention outside the States. No wonder surprising reports from The Athletic suggest that Lyon has offered a whopping $1 million for Girma and is in negotiations to bring the highly-rated center-back to Europe. The French club that isn’t a stranger to signing big names of the beautiful game is allegedly looking to bolster their defensive options and what better way there is by signing Naomi?

The talented defender has hardly ever failed to put up a solid performance for San Diego, also playing a key role in the USWNT’s 2024 gold medal triumph in the Paris Olympics. Even head coach Emma Hayes was compelled to call the NWSL star “the best defender” she has ever seen.

Of course, it goes without saying that if San Diego does accept the offer from Lyon then it would be noted down as a record transfer fee in the women’s game history. To be precise, Girma will be potentially piping Racheal Kundananji‘s $862,000 transfer from Madrid CFF to NWSL’s Bay FC. While that would be something that many may be looking forward to, The Athletic simultaneously reports Lyon has denied making the million-dollar bid.

Then again, the possibility remains for Girma to stun the women’s soccer world and make the shocking switch from the US to France. On the contrary, this spells bad news for her other potential suitors, further heating up the transfer battle. To remind you, ESPN earlier stated that the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist is also attracting interest from Chelsea and Arsenal. The WSL duo is also exploring the market for some defensive options with Girma looking like a solid choice.

Surely, we wouldn’t be surprised to see if all the aforementioned clubs tussling for the Waves star would end up paying more than a million. While this potential transfer is on the drawing board, the international front doesn’t spell good news for Girma!

Domestic life looks quite happening but the international front takes a stall for Naomi Girma!

As much as the NWSL superstar seems to be making headlines on the domestic front, her international journey has apparently hit the brakes. An unfortunate minor calf injury in the off-season has seen Naomi Girma miss out on the ongoing U.S. women’s national team’s January training camp. The news was confirmed on Thursday by both US Soccer and the Wave.

Notably, the camp began in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 17, Friday and will conclude on January 23, Thursday. One may suggest how unlucky Girma is to miss out on the camp. However, the first USWNT camp of 2025 is merely an annual meet-up of the American ladies, with no significant friendly matches or tournaments.

Luckily, the 4x World Champions will be playing their first game of the year next month in the SheBelives Cup, facing Columbia, Australia, and Japan in the group stages. That surely gives Naomi Girma a much-needed time out to recoup from her knock and also sort out her domestic future!