Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe is being closely monitored by National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) clubs ahead of a pivotal summer for Arsenal.
Arsenal face multiple key contract decisions in the coming months and the NWSL’s new High Impact Player rule could reportedly play a part in McCabe’s future.
NWSL clubs interested in Katie McCabe
According to The Athletic, Arsenal star McCabe is continuing to attract attention from the NWSL, as her contract situation remains unsolved.
Interest from several NWSL clubs has been ongoing for the past 18 months, with those sides fully aware that McCabe’s Arsenal deal expires at the end of the season.
The situation places McCabe at an important crossroads in her career. She has established herself as one of the most recognisable figures in the women’s game, and her standing has only grown following recent success at club level.
Having tasted the success of Champions League triumph in the summer, McCabe wants to compete at the top level, and that ambition will inevitably shape any decision she makes in the coming months.
Arsenal players out of contract this summer
McCabe is not the only high profile name at Arsenal approaching the end of her current deal. The club has a significant number of senior players out of contract this summer, which adds further intrigue to the situation.
Those players include:
- Stina Blackstenius
- Kim Little
- Leah Williamson
- Caitlin Foord
- Katie McCabe
- Beth Mead
- Laia Codina
- Steph Catley
- Victoria Pelova
- Manuela Zinsberger.
The list underlines just how important the coming months will be for Arsenal. Several of these players form the core of the team and have played key roles in recent domestic and European success. Decisions made by the club and by the players themselves will shape the direction of the squad moving forward.
For McCabe, the context of so many teammates also approaching contract decisions may factor into her thinking.
How the NWSL High Impact Player could impact McCabe’s future
One of the key factors hovering in the background of McCabe’s situation is the introduction of the NWSL High Impact Player rule. As noted, the rule is set to come into effect in July, and it is already influencing how clubs view potential signings from Europe.
The High Impact Player rule will allow NWSL clubs to exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1 million (£741,600) for ‘high-impact’ players.
This threshold will grow every year at the same base rate as the salary cap, which stood at $3.5m (£2.6m) during the 2025 season.
In a statement, the NWSL said this would allow teams to retain and attract high-impact players.
For now, McCabe remains focused on finishing the season strongly with Arsenal, while interest continues to build. Her desire to compete at the highest level is clear, and whether that future lies in north London or across the Atlantic will be one of the stories to watch as the summer approaches.
