Not always does the transfer market hold an unexpected plot twist worthy of a Hollywood movie script. Sometimes it's just a lot more normal, even bureaucratic. According to Mundo Deportivo, despite Ingrid Engen stating her desire to leave Barcelona this window, she will remain in the team until the end of the season. Negotiations between the Catalan side and Lyon stalled at one point. Why? Well, simply because the bid from the French team never arrived at the sum that Barça expected.
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Today, this Norwegian midfielder finds herself in an interesting position: a club which refused to let her go, yet at the same time has not extended her contract.
Lyon tried, but it wasn't enough
The French club showed genuine interest, made an initial offer, and, after resistance from Barcelona, increased its bid. It wasn't enough. The Spanish side, which knew full well how important Engen was, named a price it felt was fair, considering not just her quality but also the need to find an adequate replacement. The problem? Lyon either wouldn't or couldn't reach that number.
Barcelona valued Engen with the basis of Keira Walsh's transfer to Chelsea — a deal around £800,000. Similar profiles, similar length of contract, and market logic that makes sense. The French club never reached that amount and, as a result, without an agreement, talks did not go through. Engen stays, but until when?
The Norwegian is present until June, but this doesn't imply stability. Her contract with Barça runs out in the middle of the year, and without a renewal offer so far, serious doubts arise over her future. Will the club simply let her leave for free? It's possible. But they might also be waiting until the end of the season to reassess the squad and decide whether she fits into their plans for the next phase of the project.
Uncertainty like this is seldom good for a player. From now on, Engen stays with the team, knowing that, officially, her contract has an expiration date and her future depends on a decision that hasn't been made yet. Not to mention her limited minutes this season. For Lyon, too, missing out on the deal could become at best a delayed frustration as they desperately need a player in Engen's mold. The French could simply wait a few months and attempt to negotiate with her on a free transfer.