After strong speculation and cryptic messages, Bunny Shaw has surprisingly taken a dramatic U-turn, deciding against moving to rivals Chelsea and signing a new contract with Manchester City in 2030.
She has signed a new four-year deal after her original contract runs out this summer. The deal reportedly makes her by far the highest-paid women’s footballer in the world, with earnings reported to exceed £1 million per season. Still, the transfer window has yet to open, and Alexia Putellas is available, so this record might not be hers for long.
In the last few weeks of the season, it seemed she was more likely to leave on a free transfer than to stay with Chelsea, which was leading the race. But City finally intervened in the final hour to match and surpass the rivals' offer, completing the deal just hours before it was publicly announced.
It seems that in the final 48 hours before she put pen to paper, negotiations accelerated dramatically as discussions reopened about the wage structure. They realised they could not lose her.
Her contract was announced in front of their fans as a trophy celebration for both teams, after months of stalling, with the two sides close to agreeing terms back in the early matches.
Shaw confirmed her commitment to City during the club’s celebrations, expressing strong emotional ties to the team. “I’m so happy to be at this incredible club for another four years. I’ve always said that Manchester City feels like home. I’m still here, I’m still hungry, and there is no place I would rather be.”
This is bad news for Chelsea, who could not be successful on this opportunity, as they viewed her as the ideal long-term replacement for departing striker Sam Kerr. It has been reported that Chelsea's high offer was used as a bargaining chip to get City to match their top-tier offer.
This deal is widely expected to be one of the most significant pieces of business in this summer window, with much more to come as players' contracts expire or as players confirm their exits from their clubs.
While the reason for the club's U-turn will never be formally known, sources indicate that both internal and external pressure influenced them to re-enter negotiations. Possibly, it was the outrage from fans and pundits alike at them just letting her leave so easily. The fans went so far as to publish chants for her to stay, while Chelsea fans chanted, "We'll see you next year.”
It has been reported that they tripled their initial offer to meet elite global market standards, representing a broader recognition of Shaw’s status as their most valuable player.
She has won the WSL Golden Boot in the last three consecutive seasons, proving how consistent she is in front of goal. She became the first player in WSL history to score 20+ goals in three separate campaigns.
Since joining the club back in 2021, she has scored 117 goals in 137 appearances, been involved in 145 goals, and has assisted 83 league goals in 93 WSL matches. This season alone, she has scored 26 goals in 31 appearances. She also became the first player in club history to reach 100 goals in the professional era.
Other awards she has won this season include the WSL Player of the Season. FWA Footballer of the year and the club's player of the season too.
The team has relied on her extensively since she joined the club. The focal point of attack, she led the WSL in duels won (152), highlighting her physical presence. She also has considerable aerial presence as well and ranked highly in final-third recoveries.
Shaw’s contract renewal represents a major statement of intent from Manchester City.
It signals that the WSL’s top clubs are now operating in a highly competitive global wage market. Especially after the recent opening of the art training facilities just for the women's team, costing £10 million and purpose-built for the needs of a women's team,
The fact that Chelsea were outbid at a late stage highlights shifting financial dynamics at the top of the league. It also confirms that elite players are increasingly being retained rather than moving on as free agents.
Shaw’s decision to stay ensures continuity for Manchester City at the centre-forward position. It also preserves one of the most productive individual careers in the modern WSL era.
With City aiming to defend their league title and push deeper into European competition, Shaw’s renewal is viewed internally as foundational to their ambitions.
Her words reinforce the sense that, despite interest from multiple clubs, Manchester City remains the environment where she feels she can continue to evolve and win.
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