da 888： The England defender is out of contract in Catalunya this summer and the NWSL would represent an exciting next step in her illustrious career

da cassino： For those who don't watch Barcelona regularly but tuned in for the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final clash with Chelsea last weekend, it might've been a surprise to see Lucy Bronze on the bench. The England star has been one of the best full-backs on the planet for several years and has an incredible wealth of winning experience, including four European titles. But her place among the substitutes was a reminder that her future at Barca remains unclear.

Bronze is out of contract this summer and there is a genuine possibility that, as she bids to help the Catalans overturn a 1-0 deficit to reach another Champions League final, this season could be her last not just with Barca, but in Europe's premier competition. That’s because the 32-year-old doesn’t have much unfinished business on a continent that she has conquered four times at club level and once with the Lionesses. Indeed, the only club competition she’s played in and not yet won is the Copa de la Reina, which Barca will play the final of next month.

So, as Bronze enters the final weeks of her current deal, a new challenge could be on the horizon and there is one option in particular that, if she does leave Catalunya, feels particularly appealing…

GettyTo leave or not to leave

That uncertainty around the defender’s future is not because she hasn’t performed during her two seasons at Barca. It’s fair to say she started a little slowly, yes, but a return of one goal and eight assists this season has helped convince the club that she still has a role to play going forward.

Reports earlier in the season marked Bronze out as someone whose renewal was not a priority, especially considering the depth Barca has at right-back. Ona Batlle, the 24-year-old who is perhaps the best in the world in that position right now, arrived from Manchester United last summer, while the squad also features dependable veteran Marta Torrejon.

But wrote last month that the club wants to offer Bronze a one-year extension with the possibility of another optional season, as long as she is willing to accept a small pay cut. The England star is one of the team’s highest-paid players and Barca have financial regulations to comply with while also sorting other renewals, most notably that of Alexia Putellas and also Aitana Bonmati and Keira Walsh, who are out of contract in a year's time.

AdvertisementGettyAt a crossroads

There is plenty to suggest that Bronze would like to stay in Catalunya, too. “I love playing for Barcelona,” she told earlier this season. “The club loves having me here and I love playing with the girls and the players we have. I don't know what I want to do in the future, but Barcelona is definitely a team I would love to stay with and I know the staff would also love for me to stay. So, we'll see.”

Perhaps the biggest thing the full-back will be considering is her game time. She has started 29 of Barca’s 39 games so far this season, though part of the reason has been an injury to Fridolina Rolfo. The Swede’s absence has moved Batlle to left-back for most of the campaign, with Bronze regularly getting the nod on the right as a result.

However, as the first leg of Barca’s semi-final with Chelsea showed, when everyone is fit, the club’s best XI is probably one with Batlle and Rolfo on either side of the defence. To stay with one of the best teams in Europe has huge appeal, of course, even if it is not as a key starter, but given how driven Bronze is as an individual, it would be understandable if she was to look elsewhere for a more significant role and a new challenge.

GettySomething different

What could that new challenge be? As well as Spain, Bronze has already conquered France, winning three league titles, two French cups, the French Super Cup and three Champions League titles during her trio of seasons with Lyon.

In Europe, Germany and Italy have the two other really big leagues that Bronze is yet to get a taste of, with the former more probable given how much closer the top teams in the Frauen-Bundesliga are to competing for a European title.

What about a return to England? Bronze might have won the Women’s Super League, the FA Cup and the Continental Cup multiple times over during her time with Liverpool and then Manchester City, but there is one thing she never accomplished in her home country and that is winning the Champions League with an English club.

GettyAnother homecoming?

When Bronze returned to City for a second spell back in 2020, ticking that box was the aim. “I have had that success in terms of winning the Champions League as an individual in a team abroad, but I want to bring that success back to England, back to City,” she said.

But it didn’t quite work out. Despite being one of few teams to beat Barca over 90 minutes during their quarter-final clash in the 2020-21 campaign, City lost 4-2 on aggregate. The following season, they didn't even get past the second qualifying round, losing to Real Madrid.

Would Bronze be tempted to try again? “Never say never,” was her response earlier this season when asked if she could come back to England in the near future. “I’m someone who is open to opportunities – my career has shown that. I like different challenges in different places. Although my family live back in England, I have my home wherever I am in the world and I do absolutely love playing for Barcelona.

"I don’t know what the future holds – whether I stay here, return to England one day or join another club in another country and try to achieve the same sort of success. I’m always looking to challenge myself.”