The January transfer window has already been full of twists and turns, and one of the latest saw Arsenal miss out on signing Brazilian international Debinha.
Despite the recent links, the talented forward was rumoured to be Europe-bound but instead has opted to stay in the States.
She has signed a deal with the Kansas City Current after her contract with the North Carolina Courage ended.
Arsenal Target Debinha Remains in the NWSL
This has already been a hugely exciting transfer window in and around the Women’s Super League.
Arsenal have secured a couple of names in the last week but they’ve missed out on another after Debinha joined the Current.
There was a huge swelling in the media regarding a potential move for Arsenal target Debinha. With her departure from North Carolina Courage announced at the end of last year, a number of clubs were left on red alert.
All roads pointed towards North London with the Brazilian set to be one of a few winter signings for the Gunners. The recent announcement of Victoria Pelova from Ajax proved to be a huge stumbling block, with the squad restrictions being brought into the picture.
Arsenal filled a final international spot in the form of the Dutch star which put the Debinha move under duress.
As well as Pelova, Jonas Eidevall brought teenager Kathrine Kühl on board to further bulk up the midfield. The more talent you add, the more likely it is that others will have to make way.
Talk pointed towards World Cup winner Mana Iwabuchi being the one on the chopping block, with playing time limited for her.
Embed from Getty ImagesAll About Failed Arsenal Target Debinha
Debinha is best known to a European audience for her performances on the international stage.
Brazil are a major nation but are yet to show this at the World Cup. Their loss in the 2007 final to Germany is the closest they’ve come.
The 31-year-old does have two Copa Americas to her name though, coming in 2018 and 2022.
On the club side of things, failed Arsenal target Debinha has remained in the NWSL. She made over 100 appearances in North Carolina and has a number of honours to show for it.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn 2018 and 2019, the Courage won the league and the Shield too. On top of that, Debinha is a two-time NWSL Challenge Cup MVP and finished as the NWSL Challenge top scorer in 2021.
After both topping their respective divisions last year, Debinha’s new and former team met in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup. The Courage took the Cup, while Kansas City bemoaned their missed chance. To make matters worse, a certain Brazilian forward was on the scoresheet for Carolina.
There is a lot of hype around this Current roster, with Debinha being one of a few exceptional talents. She may be going in the direction of the twilight of her career but the attacker still has a lot to offer. Will Arsenal feel like this was a missed opportunity?
