Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe has revealed rival clubs are actively showing an interest in acquiring her services amid growing speculation the Dubliner's long association with Arsenal is now in its final few months.
McCabe's contract at the Gunners expires in the summer, and the WSL giants appear to be willing to let McCabe move on after a trophy-laden decade.
It's no surprise that other teams are monitoring the situation given McCabe's reputation and performance levels. Ahead of tonight's World Cup qualifier against France at Tallaght Stadium, the 30-year-old admitted there's been enquiries.
"Yes, there's been interest," she said.
"I’m into my last my last six months (of the contract) so technically you’re allowed to speak to others. I’m not part of those conversations. I’ll leave that to my agent, but there has been interest."
McCabe also addressed the subject of Israel. FAI CEO David Courell has met with the Ireland women's squad to discuss the association's stance on the men's Nations League games this autumn.
Last week Courell said the FAI has "no choice" but to fulfil the home and away fixtures after it was confirmed that the home tie on 4 October would be played in Dublin. In a letter to its members, the FAI stressed that "serious consequences" would result from forfeiting the games, which would "materially harm the long-term sporting interests of Irish football".
The Girls in Green could potentially draw Israel in the World Cup play-offs later this year. Because they gained promotion to League A for qualifying, Carla Ward's side are guaranteed a place in the play-offs even if they finish bottom of their group.
"It was important for David to come in and address the team about everything around these games, and to be honest and transparent with us as a team," said McCabe.
"If we were going back a few years ago with the FAI, we wouldn't have been having those conversations.
"Look, we know it is not right on a human level what is going on over there in Gaza. Everyone in Ireland would agree with that, I think, and everyone outside of Ireland would agree with that.
"For us from a professional point of view, it is a men’s fixture, it is a men’s game. We don’t have much say on those types of issues. But we absolutely sympathise with everything that is going on in Palestine, of course, as a team and as people in Ireland. I know my team-mates are very passionate about it, as I am myself.
"It is a tricky one because it is a men’s fixture. It is nothing we can get it into too much and I’m sure it will be difficult for the lads to get into it as well. It is football at the end of the day and they have to be professional and represent their country when being asked."
On the prospect of being pitted against Israel, McCabe added: "It’s hypothetical at the minute. Hopefully we qualify directly."
The last time Ireland met France they ran out 3-1 winners at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It was a joyous end to what had been a tough slog through Euro 2025 qualification: five losses and that one win taught McCabe and Co some harsh lessons.
The skipper was blunt in her assessment of what's required heading into qualification for the 2027 tournament in Brazil.
"We need to pick up points," she said. "We need to score goals. We need to be more clinical going forward.
"All the games last year were tight. Apart from the Sweden game (which Ireland lost 3-0 at Aviva Stadium) but we went for Sweden in that game from the start.
"We need to put the ball in the back of the net. We've got better at that over the course of the last few games and the friendly in Marbella (against Hungary) was important to work on things."
Watch Republic of Ireland v France in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on an extended Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
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