Brazil forward Kerolin did not report for pre-season training at Manchester City in July, weeks before her transfer to Barcelona was agreed, according to The Guardian.

City's pre-season began in late July. Kerolin, previously on good terms with the squad, did not attend. She also did not say goodbye to colleagues in person before leaving. Several staff and players at the club were disappointed at what they perceived as efforts by the 25-year-old to force through a move to the Spanish champions.

Barcelona announced Kerolin's signing on Tuesday 4 August. Manchester City said nothing publicly until Thursday evening — more than 48 hours later — when they eventually confirmed receiving a record fee for a sale by a Women's Super League club. The WSL is England's top-flight women's football league. Barcelona's own announcement confirmed the forward had signed a contract running until 2030, and she was presented as a Barcelona player on 5 August (FC Barcelona).

The numbers involved are significant. Manchester City stated the initial fee was €1.2m (£1m), which could rise to approximately £1.25m with add-ons (Manchester City). Reuters reported the deal at €1.5m ($1.73m). Either way, it is the largest transfer fee received by a WSL club — a benchmark for a women's game in which transfer spending has historically lagged far behind the men's side.

Kerolin spent just one full season in England. City's own website credited her with 14 goals and six assists as the club won the WSL title — their first in a decade — and the Women's FA Cup. She was also recognised as the first Brazilian to win the English top flight in her debut season (Manchester City), having joined from American side North Carolina Courage in January 2025. Her career path before that included spells at Brazilian club Palmeiras and Spanish side Madrid CFF.

What makes the departure sting for City is the abruptness. A player who helped deliver a historic double — two trophies in one season — was gone before some teammates knew it was close. The two-goal final, the medal, the celebrations: all of it folded into a summer exit that left colleagues feeling let down.

The fixture list has a sense of humour about these things. Manchester City and Barcelona, reigning champions of England and Spain respectively, will meet in a friendly at City's Joie Stadium on 15 August. Kerolin could line up against her former club inside two weeks of leaving them.