BARCELONA captain Alexia Putellas will leave the club at the end of the season and London City Lionesses have been heavily linked with signing the decorated midfielder.

Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, led Barcelona to their fourth Champions League crown in six seasons at the weekend after they comprehensively beat Lyon 4-0 in the final in Oslo.

But the 32-year-old announced she will bring her 14-year association with Barcelona to an end when her contract expires at the end of the season. Putellas was due to make her final appearance for the side last night in their Liga F game against Real Sociedad.

London City finished sixth in their maiden campaign in the Women’s Super League and the signing of Putellas, a World Cup winner with Spain three years ago, would be a significant statement of intent.

Club sources did not deny they were in the race for her signature although London City face stiff competition as Paris St Germain and clubs in the United States are also reportedly keen on signing Putellas.