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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Roebuck nearing City exit</li><li>Barcelona move mooted</li><li>Goalkeeper posts cryptic update</li></ul>

Ellie Roebuck in Barcelona? Lionesses goalkeeper posts cryptic update amid talk of leaving Man City for European champions

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The Lionesses star is yet to feature for City this season, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/khiara-keating-england-teenager-lionesses-manchester-city-sarina-wiegman/blt9c72b8d795c2c7d3" target="_blank">having lost her place to teenager Khiara Keating</a> at the beginning of the campaign. Keating has continued to impress and has cemented her spot as No.1, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/england-lionesses-january-transfer-man-city-ellie-roebuck-sarina-wiegman/blt01bce91f4cebb39a" target="_blank">leaving Roebuck to assess her options</a>. The Sheffield-born shot stopper has long been linked to the Catalan giants, and she further fuelled those rumours with a cryptic update on Monday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The England international uploaded an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/ellieroebuck_/3326428693741526992/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> story of her shadow on some grass, alongside a clock emoji. This could infer that it is only a matter of time before her move to Barca is made official.<picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt97868fbab4bcfd41/Screenshot_2024-03-18_at_16.34.45.png?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt97868fbab4bcfd41/Screenshot_2024-03-18_at_16.34.45.png?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt97868fbab4bcfd41/Screenshot_2024-03-18_at_16.34.45.png?format=jpg" alt="Ellie Roebuck cryptic update 18-03-24" data-source="IG:ellieroebuck_" data-copyright="IG:ellieroebuck_" data-portal-copyright="IG:ellieroebuck_" perform:prop="uuid:blt97868fbab4bcfd41;width:842;height:1524"></picture>

WHAT ROEBUCK POSTED

Indeed, while that transfer <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionesses-star-ellie-roebuck-very-advanced-talks-join-barcelona-free-transfer-from-man-city/blt80208fbcdff4405e" target="_blank">has been mooted since as early as January</a>, both Keating's success and a specific door being opened at Barca has intensified those rumours in recent weeks. Blaugrana shot stopper Sandra Panos announced like month that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ellie-roebuck-barcelona-england-sandra-panos-wsl-nwsl/bltaf4fb42370e75f74" target="_blank">she would be leaving</a> when her contract expires at the end of the season. Many see that as an opportunity for Roebuck to stake her claim at the European champions.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Roebuck's season to forget not only applies to club level, as she has watched <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/mary-earps-wins-2023-bbc-sports-personality-of-the-year-england-women-world-cup-final-man-utd-wsl/blt8b7010f99d9a21e3" target="_blank">Manchester United icon Mary Earps</a> make the Lionesses No.1 shirt her own over the past year or so. A move to Barca, provided she can fend off competition from Cata Coll, could be the perfect springboard to reignite her international career.

DID YOU KNOW?

Roebuck's contract at City expires in the summer, meaning she has been free to negotiate with other clubs since January. It seems likely that a move to Barca will go ahead, although United have been reported as being interested in the past should that transfer dramatically fall through. One thing looks for certain, though - Roebuck will not be a City player after June 30.

WHAT NEXT FOR ROEBUCK?

Ellie Roebuck in Barcelona? Lionesses goalkeeper posts cryptic update amid talk of leaving Man City for European champions | Goal.com

Manchester City and England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck posted a cryptic story on her Instagram, amid continued rumours she is set to join Barcelona.