Recent reports linking Sjoeke Nüsken with a move away from Chelsea appear unlikely to materialise, despite renewed transfer speculation from Germany. According to Sport Bild, FC Bayern München is interested in signing the midfielder, with suggestions that Nüsken would be open to a return to the Frauen Bundesliga. However, Bayern’s chances of completing a deal are understood to be slim.
One of the biggest obstacles is Nüsken’s current contract situation. The 24-year-old signed a contract extension with Chelsea in October that runs until the summer of 2027, meaning Bayern would have to break the agreement and pay a significant fee to prise her away from Stamford Bridge. While there were rumours during the summer that she could be considering a move, Chelsea acted decisively to secure her long-term future, making a near-term transfer highly improbable.
The latest report also notes that Bayern goalkeeper Mala Grohs is reportedly close to a move to England, although no specific club has been named. That situation is separate from Nüsken’s and does little to strengthen Bayern’s position regarding the Chelsea midfielder.
Nüsken joined Chelsea from Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of the 2023/24 season and made an immediate impression, debuting in the opening day victory over Tottenham Hotspur. She quickly caught the eye with her impact in midfield and her ability to contribute in the final third, scoring her first career hat trick in a 4 2 league win over Brighton and Hove Albion in October 2023.
Her first season in blue was outstanding. Nüsken made 38 appearances in all competitions and scored 12 goals, playing a key role as Chelsea secured the Women’s Super League title on the final day of the campaign. She followed that up with another strong year in 2024/25, becoming a vital part of the domestic treble-winning side under Sonia Bompastor, making 36 appearances and scoring five goals.
When she signed her contract extension in October, Nüsken made her commitment to Chelsea clear. “I’m thrilled to have another year at Chelsea, to stay another year with my team,” she said. “We have a big year coming up, and hopefully, we can achieve the Champions League title. We want to achieve a lot of things together.”
Chelsea’s head of women’s football, Paul Green, echoed that sentiment. “We’re really pleased that Sjoeke has renewed with Chelsea,” he said. “She has been an important part of the success that we’ve had over the last couple of years, and we’re looking forward to seeing her contribute again in the current campaign.”
A combative, technical and athletic midfielder, Nüsken is comfortable operating in both a defensive role and as a box-to-box presence. Her impact was recognised globally when she was nominated for the Ballon d’Or after her first season at Chelsea, finishing 25th in the rankings of the world’s best players.
At the international level, she has progressed steadily through Germany’s youth ranks, representing the under-17, under-19 and under-20 sides before earning her place in the senior national team.
Speculation about her future intensified during the summer after comments she made suggested she was open minded about what comes next beyond the current season. While making it clear she would remain at Chelsea for the 2025/26 campaign, she admitted she had reflected on her long term plans. “I’ve already asked myself that question,” she said. “At the moment, I am currently at a good place at Chelsea to win titles. They also want me to extend.”
She added: “Last year, things didn’t go quite as well as I had hoped. Let’s see how it goes this year. After that, we’ll see. There are a few doors open where I can go.”
Those comments, combined with interest from Bayern, have kept rumours alive, but her recent contract extension means any move would almost certainly be delayed until at least next summer, if not later. This season, Nüsken has continued to play an important role for Chelsea, making nine appearances so far, totalling 372 minutes and scoring once. Her underlying numbers remain strong, with a passing accuracy of 81 percent, chances created ranking in a high percentile at 85 percent, and defensive contributions also in a high percentile at 87 percent.
For now, despite the noise around potential interest from Bayern, Nüsken remains firmly part of Chelsea’s plans, and any transfer appears unlikely while she remains under contract and central to the club’s ambitions.
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