Earps relaxes on well-earned holiday as Man United transfer saga takes new twist

Earps, who is currently one of the most in-demand players in football, enjoyed a relaxing holiday in the Caribbean over the winter break.

She shared a series of photographs from her trip which show her unwinding after a year which saw her win the Golden Glove at the World Cup, England Women's Player of the Year and be voted BBC's Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY).

She captioned the post on Instagram: "Barbados, you were a dream. A much needed refresh and the most perfect way to see out 2023 and begin 2024."

But while the 30-year-old could not look more relaxed in her holiday snaps, discussions around her club future continue to raise unanswered questions.

The goalkeeper's contract with Manchester United expires this summer, which means Earps is now free to speak to clubs outside of England to discuss potential deals.

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PSG - who boast the likes of the Dutch Lieke Martens and France's Marie-Antoinette Katoto - have already expressed interest in signing the Lionesses' keeper.

English clubs, including Arsenal who had a bid rejected for Earps last summer, are not yet permitted to enter into contract talks with the keeper.

But Earps still remains open to the possibility of staying on at United, according to the Telegraph.

Under the management of Marc Skinner, the Red Devils suffered heavy blows in the last transfer window when they lost key players Ona Batlle and Alessia Russo on free transfers to Barcelona and Arsenal, respectively.

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If the lessons of history have taught them anything, they will be looking to tie down Earps as soon as they possibly can if they hope for the club's upward trajectory to continue.

Earps signed for the Red Devils upon their promotion to the WSL in 2019, just one year after the side had been reformed following a disbandment of the team that had lasted for 13 years.

Since then, Earps has helped her club to new heights which Manchester United reaching a first ever FA Cup final and recording their highest ever WSL finish last season.

After receiving her SPOTY award, Earps expressed her disappointment with some of the speculation surrounding her future.

She said: "I've remained quiet for a reason. I feel I've behaved with a lot of integrity through this whole situation.

"A lot of stuff that's been put out isn't true. I want to say more but I can't at this stage and it's really hard for me to sit quietly, when I see a lot of things that are not right.

"I think it's an injustice but I know the appropriate thing to do is focus on my football and see what happens from there."

But Earps has often spoken of her desire to play for a club which can support the heights of her ambition.

She mentioned after lifting her SPOTY trophy: "I'm a driven, hungry athlete.

"I want to win all the trophies there are on offer and I don't want to stop until I've got a full cabinet."

Earps is likely to take such considerations into account as she decides where she will be best supported by a club on her hunt for silverware.

Moreover, on January 1, it was revealed that Earps had signed A&V Sports as her new agent.

A&V Sports already represent huge names including Chelsea's Sam Kerr and Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg and, as such, will be looking to nurture Earps on her bid for success.

But for now, Earps insists her main focus is on her football.

Her next task will be helped Manchester United to reach their second consecutive FA Cup final - and hopefully go one better than they did last year.

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The squad have travelled to Malta for a training camp ahead of their first game of the new year on Sunday 14 January when they will face Newcastle in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

They are back in WSL action the following weekend when they travel to Stamford Bridge to face defending champions Chelsea on Sunday 21 January.