Reign a potential destination for Haitian forward Nérilia Mondésir
Now that the sale of the Seattle Reign FC is finally complete, the team could be active in the upcoming summer transfer window, which opens on Thursday, August 1.
Sandra Herrera of CBS Sports reported Thursday evening that 25-year-old Haitian international forward Nérilia Mondésir is set to join an undisclosed NWSL club for an estimated $200,000 transfer fee from French club Montpellier HSC.
Sources have indicated to Ride of the Valkyries that the Reign are the likely NWSL club. Herrera also confirmed on Friday afternoon that Seattle was Mondésir's destination, noting that the Reign intend to sign her to a three-year deal with a one-year option. Her addition would give the team a speedy and goal-dangerous attacking option.
Primarily lining up on the left or right wing, Mondésir has been at Montpellier since 2017, making 121 appearances (89 starts), scoring 20 goals and claiming 16 assists. She can also play center forward and loves to dribble at defenders. According to FBref, she's 10th in D1 Feminine this season in passes into the penalty box, second in successful take-ons, fifth in progressive carries, and third in carries into the penalty box.
Representing Haiti, Mondésir has 25 caps for the senior team and has scored 14 goals. She also serves as Haiti's captain and was a key factor in Haiti qualifying for their first Women's World Cup. Mondésir has played on the frontline and as a central attacking midfielder for Haiti. She completed the second most dribbles per game in the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Ride of the Valkyries reached out to the Reign for comment but did not hear back from the club before the time of publication.
It should be noted that before any new players can join the Reign, the team must make some room. While the Reign announced on Friday that they mutually parted ways with Jimena López, who then signed with Tigres in Mexico, that doesn't open up any new roster space. The team is already at the roster limit of 26 players, and that's without considering Luany, who is still out on loan until the end of the month at Madrid CFF.
There is obviously a lot of time between now and when the transfer window opens in August, but for this saucy transfer rumor to become a reality, general manager Lesle Gallimore will have to make some outgoing moves – such as additional loans, transfers out, or by releasing a player.