There are growing rumours Sam Kerr could switch clubs and move to America at the end of this season when her contract at Chelsea expires.
Kerr has returned to top form in the Asian Cup, helping the Matildas progress to Saturday’s final against Japan as the Australians aim to win the tournament for the first time since 2010.
The 32-year-old striker has said she is back to about 90 per cent of her peak ability, regaining confidence following a carefully managed return to play from her ACL injury.
Kerr is back scoring goals from the edge of the box and only one of the world’s best strikers could have pulled off her clinical left-foot finish from a tight angle against China in the semi-final.
But the Australian’s future at club level is up in the air. Kerr’s contract at Chelsea ends at the conclusion of this season, and there’s no guarantee she will remain at the English club where she has become a global superstar.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes a one-year contract extension won’t be enough to keep Kerr in London, with growing speculation she could return to America’s NWSL to be closer to her wife Kristie Mewis’ family.
“What’s happening with Sam Kerr, what’s happening with Chelsea? Are they offering her a deal? I know there’ll be a queue for her, but are they doing another one of those situations where (they say) ‘Sam Kerr, we will offer you a year or an option’,” Wright said on the Crossways podcast.
“I think that would be quite disrespectful to her, especially when she is coming back from that injury.
“She is unbelievable, one of the best in the world – to not give her that kind of contract where she can say, ‘Right, I can ease myself into it’, instead of trying to give her maybe another year then she’s rushing to try and do stuff.
“I think they should sign her up and on a good deal, not a (one) year.”
Former England captain Steph Houghton agreed: “She should stay.
“I think it would be stupid if she didn’t stay from a Chelsea point of view, because what she’s done for however many seasons in the WSL.”
Kerr has played limited game time since returning from her knee injury but the veteran striker’s future may not lie at Chelsea, with manager Sonia Bompastor looking to regenerate the powerhouse club.
Kerr’s teammate Catarina Macario has agreed terms on a five-year deal with the San Diego Wave worth AUD $11 million in America’s NWSL, while Trinity Rodman recently signed a three-year deal with Washington Sprit worth AUD $2.7 million per season.
That type of money could prove lucrative for Kerr as she looks towards the final chapter of her career while raising a family.
Mewis grew up in Massachusetts, so Boston Legacy FC would appear a likely destination if Kerr was to make the move to America. The American’s contract with West Ham expired last year.
Mewis, a former Team USA representative, gave birth to their son Jagga last year and the couple got married in Perth over the New Year.
This month, America’s NWSL announced teams can also spend up to USD$1 million outside of the salary cap for “high impact” marquee players.
“Macario has gone to the NWSL on an unbelievable contract. It is amazing, a great contract,” Ian Wright said.
“It’s life-changing money, isn’t it,” Houghton added.
“If there are contracts like that being handed out, there is no way that’s not going to turn the heads of a WSL player,” Wright continued.
“There is not one female player in the world, I don’t care where she is, even if she’s at my club, if she gets an offer like that, I am going there and I’m going to make sure that she goes and gets that contract.
“It is no different to the men’s game. (All rival leagues) would do anything they could to come to their league to be how the Premier League is. The NWSL are doing the only thing they can to try and get their league to another level. You can’t blame them for that.
“I know Sam Kerr at 32, she is obviously a lot older than Macario, but if I am a NWSL owner and I have the capability and money to bring Sam Kerr over, I would bring her.”
Kerr may not be chasing a multimillion contract, given her earning capacity from sponsors including Nike, Commonwealth Bank, Bonds, and Richard Mille.
She was the WSL’s leading goalscorer in the 2021 and 2022 seasons as Chelsea went through a period of dominance, winning the past six WSL titles. She has scored 100 goals for the London-based club.
That streak appears set to end this season though, with Mary Fowler’s Manchester City seven points clear of Chelsea in the latter stages of the 2025-26 campaign.
In 2024, Kerr signed a two-year extension with Chelsea after a cheeky video message pranking fans that she was leaving.
Chelsea have one of the most star-studded teams in Europe, boasting Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter, as well as England internationals Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert.
