Grace Clinton poised for Manchester City switch as Jess Park heads to Manchester United

England midfielder Grace Clinton looks set to swap Manchester United for Manchester City ahead of Thursday night’s transfer deadline, Sport360NG reports.

The 22-year-old, who has just one year left on her United contract, has been the subject of strong interest this summer, but talks over an extension failed to progress. City are pushing to finalise the deal before the 23:00 BST deadline.

In a separate move, City’s Jess Park is expected to join United. The 23-year-old Euro 2025 winner was due to undergo a medical at Carrington on Wednesday evening, with United viewing her as a high-quality replacement for Clinton.

United had been eager to keep Clinton but, mindful of losing her for nothing next summer, activated an option to extend her contract by a further year in order to attract offers. The club has previously seen stars Alessia Russo and Mary Earps depart as free agents after stalled negotiations.

Clinton, regarded as one of England’s brightest young midfielders, made her senior debut in February 2024, scoring in a 7-2 win over Austria, and featured in five of England’s six matches at Euro 2025. An Everton academy graduate, she joined United in 2022 and enjoyed productive loan spells with Bristol City and Tottenham before breaking into Marc Skinner’s side last season.

While her exit would be a setback for United, Park’s impending arrival offers an immediate solution. The attacking midfielder, who has been at City for eight years, impressed during a loan spell at Everton in 2022 and scored just two minutes into her England debut against Japan later that year. Despite strong competition for places at City, she has remained a regular squad member and is now tipped to become a central figure at United alongside international team-mate Ella Toone.

During her time at City, Park lifted the FA Cup and two League Cups, but United believe she has the potential to thrive with greater responsibility. Moves between the two Manchester clubs are not uncommon in the women’s game, with England defender Alex Greenwood among the most notable examples, having captained United before moving to Lyon and then City.