Julia Bartel is on her way out of Chelsea, with a move to Italian side Juventus understood to be imminent. The 22-year-old Spain youth international is expected to finalise the switch within the next few days, bringing to a close a difficult two-year spell at the club that never really got off the ground.

Bartel arrived at Chelsea from Barcelona in July 2024, penning a three-year deal that carried an option for a further year. The noises out of west London at the time suggested a player with genuine pedigree and serious potential. The reality, however, proved far more frustrating. She managed just two appearances across her entire time on the books at Stamford Bridge — a return that tells its own story.

Loan moves provided a lifeline

Rather than stagnate, Bartel spent significant time away from Chelsea seeking regular football. A six-month stint at Liverpool in 2025 was followed by a full season on loan at Atletico Madrid, where she found the rhythm that had eluded her in England. In Spain, she racked up 43 appearances in total, scoring six goals and starting 15 Liga F matches — a platform that has clearly attracted Juventus's attention.

That spell in Madrid will have done her market value no harm whatsoever. A player who looked like a misfit in the WSL environment showed she can contribute consistently at a high level when given the opportunity and the right surroundings.

Juventus eyeing Walti replacement

The timing of Bartel's prospective arrival in Turin is significant. Juventus are in the market for midfield reinforcement after losing Lia Walti, the Switzerland international who joined Brighton earlier this month. Bartel fits the profile of a technically capable central midfielder capable of stepping into that vacancy.

Juventus finished third in Serie A Femminile last season and were eliminated from the Women's Champions League at the knockout stage play-offs, knocked out by Wolfsburg. The Italian club will be eager to push back into contention on both fronts, and strengthening in the engine room is a logical step toward doing so.

What it means for Chelsea

For Chelsea, the departure of a player who never truly featured is unlikely to cause much disruption in footballing terms. The club will, however, have questions to answer about how a signing from one of Europe's biggest clubs spent the bulk of her time away on loan rather than contributing to their own WSL campaign.

The market has been broadly quiet in the women's game this window, but this deal — once completed — represents a tidy piece of business for Juventus, who are picking up a technically gifted midfielder with a point to prove and momentum on her side after a productive season in Spain.

Bartel still has the best years of her career ahead of her. A fresh start in Serie A, at a club with genuine European ambitions, looks exactly like the move she needs.

Frequently asked

Why is Julia Bartel leaving Chelsea?
Bartel made just two appearances for Chelsea across two years and spent most of her time there out on loan. With limited first-team prospects at the club, a permanent move to Juventus this summer makes sense for all parties.
Which clubs has Julia Bartel played for on loan?
After joining Chelsea from Barcelona in 2024, Bartel had a six-month loan spell at Liverpool in 2025 before spending the following season on loan at Atletico Madrid, where she made 43 appearances and scored six goals.
Why are Juventus signing a new midfielder?
Juventus are looking to replace Lia Walti, the experienced Switzerland international midfielder who left the Italian club to join Brighton earlier this summer.