Chelsea reaches verbal deal to acquire Angel City's Alyssa Thompson, written deadline looms

Chelsea has reached a verbal agreement with Angel City to acquire winger Alyssa Thompson on the second-richest transfer in women’s soccer history, The Athletic reported Thursday, citing unnamed sources.

The two teams have until 3 p.m. Pacific time, when the Women’s Super League transfer window closes, to get the deal in writing.

The move is said to be worth $1.3 million, which would match what Arsenal paid Liverpool for Canadian Olivia Smith in July. The highest transfer fee in women’s soccer is $1.5 million, which Mexico’s Tigres received from the Orlando Pride for Lizbeth Ovalle last month .

Chelsea, the most successful women’s team in English soccer, and Angel City, the most valuable women’s team in the U.S., have been discussing a transfer deal for Thompson for some time. Thom