Manchester City are closing in on the signing of 20-year-old Norway international Julie Blakstad from Rosenborg.
The midfielder has earned 11 senior international caps since making her debut as a teenager in October 2020, and is one of the youngsters tipped to shine at this summer’s European Championships.
City allowed midfielder Jill Scott to join Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season on Tuesday – although the 34-year-old has predominantly operated as a central defender for Gareth Taylor’s side this season – in what has otherwise been a quiet transfer window for the club.
According to the Guardian, a fee has been agreed for Blakstad between City and Rosenborg, with the final details of the deal poised to be wrapped up on Tuesday. Norwegian news outlet Nidaros have also reported that the midfielder is close to signing for City.
Rosenborg recently secured the services of Icelandic midfielder Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir, a move that suggested they were preparing for Blakstad’s upcoming departure.
Blakstad joined her current employers from fellow Norwegian outfit Fotballaget Fart in 2020, and immediately caught the eye. She scored seven league goals from midfield and scooped the Toppserien Young Player of the Year Award, while also being shortlisted for the senior prize, during her debut season with the club.
The youngster made her Norway debut against Wales in October 2020, and has gone on to score twice for the national team.
The signing would be Manchester City‘s first of the winter transfer window, which closes for WSL clubs on 27 January.
Blakstad has 11 caps for Norway / Boris Streubel/GettyImages
City have endured an injury-hit campaign and currently sit fifth, two points outside the Champions League places, but having played two games more than third place Chelsea.
The potential recruitment of another midfielder has been questioned by certain sections of the City faithful given this is an area they remain very strong – already boasting Keira Walsh, Caroline Weir, Laura Coombs, Vicky Losada, Georgia Stanway and Filippa Angeldahl – while their lack of depth in other areas has been exposed this season during their well-documented injury crisis.
