Khadija "Bunny" Shaw, the Women's Super League's most prolific goalscorer, is set to depart Manchester City when her contract expires at the end of the season. The news comes as a shock just days after City clinched their first league title in a decade, ending Chelsea's six-year reign as champions.
Negotiations for a new deal had appeared promising, but sources close to the situation confirm talks have broken down. Unless there's a dramatic late reversal, Shaw's four-year stint at the Academy Stadium is coming to an end.
The Jamaican international's departure would be a massive blow for City. Since joining from Bordeaux in 2021, Shaw has been nothing short of sensational — scoring 110 goals in 133 appearances across all competitions. She became the first City player in the professional era to reach a century of goals and has claimed the WSL Golden Boot twice (2022-23 and 2023-24). This season alone, she's netted 19 league goals in 21 appearances, powering City to the title.
At just 29, Shaw is entering her prime years as a striker. Losing her on a free transfer — and potentially to the very rival City just dethroned — would be a bitter pill to swallow. Chelsea have already tabled an offer worth at least £1 million per year, according to reports from April. But Shaw isn't short of options: she's also received lucrative proposals from clubs in Europe and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), though no decision has been finalized.
For City, this situation goes beyond just losing a star player. It raises questions about the club's operational model under director of football Therese Sjogran and managing director Charlotte O'Neill. How can a newly-crowned champion fail to retain its best asset? From a PR perspective, it feels like a stumble at the worst possible moment.
Shaw isn't just any striker — she's arguably the best in the women's game right now. Her combination of power, precision, and poacher's instinct makes her irreplaceable. City fans will be hoping for that late U-turn, but for now, the WSL's top scorer appears headed for new pastures.