England international Georgia Stanway has confirmed she will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season when her contract expires, with Arsenal emerging as the leading contenders to sign the midfielder this summer.
The 27-year-old, who has 87 caps for England, is permitted to agree a pre-contract with another club this month ahead of a move at the end of the campaign. It is understood Arsenal are currently frontrunners and have held talks with Stanway over a potential agreement, although several other clubs are also monitoring her situation. Should Arsenal complete a deal, it would be regarded as one of the most significant moves of the window as they continue to strengthen a squad built to challenge for the Women’s Super League title after lifting the Champions League trophy in May.
Speaking after the announcement, Stanway described the decision as difficult.
“I am incredibly grateful to FC Bayern for the past years. And thankfully, my time here isn’t over yet,” she said. “The decision to leave Munich and my team was incredibly difficult and definitely not easy for me. I’ve made friends and memories here that will last a lifetime, and I’ve also developed enormously as a player and as a person. I will give everything for the club and its sporting success until my very last day.”
Bayern director of women’s football Bianca Rech praised Stanway’s impact at the club, saying:
“As the first English player at FC Bayern Women, Georgia Stanway not only made history but also stole our hearts. She matured into a top European player in Munich and played a key role in our success over the past few years. We wish her all the best for the future.”
Stanway joined Bayern from Manchester City in May 2022 and enjoyed an outstanding spell in Germany. During her four seasons in Munich, she won three Frauen-Bundesliga titles, one DFB Cup and two German Supercups, becoming a key starter in midfield and a member of the club’s captaincy group. She was named Fans’ Player of the Season in 2022/23 and scored six league goals in each of Bayern’s 2023 and 2024 title-winning campaigns.
Her time at the club also included standout moments in the Champions League, as well as a significant knee injury suffered in early 2025, from which she has since returned. Alongside her club success, Stanway has won two major European honours with England and is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football.
Arsenal are now expected to remain at the front of the queue as Stanway prepares for the final months of her Bayern career and the next chapter of her future.
Add comment
Comments