• Lionesses due to face Republic of Ireland and Sweden
• Two wins would guarantee qualification for Euro 2025

Sarina Wiegman says it feels “strange” to be preparing for two crucial European Championship qualifiers in the middle of the summer off-season, but that her England team are fully focused on ensuring they qualify for next summer’s finals in Switzerland.

Wiegman’s Lionesses have been in her homeland, the Netherlands, since Monday for a training camp for the qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland at Carrow Road next Friday, 12 July, and away to Sweden in Gothenburg on Tuesday 16 July, knowing two victories would guarantee the defending champions automatic qualification.

• Bronze and Bartel likely to join WSL champions shortly
• Pair are boost for Chelsea in immediate and long term

Chelsea are poised to sign the England right-back Lucy Bronze and the Spain youth international midfielder Júlia Bartel, both from Barcelona on free transfers.

It is understood the arrival of the 20-year-old Bartel, who has been tipped as one of the best young players in Europe, is imminent and her move could be confirmed by Chelsea within the next 24 to 36 hours, while an agreement is also believed to be in place for Bronze to join Sonia Bompastor’s side.

• World Cup winner Caldentey joins from Barcelona
• Liverpool buy Olivia Smith for club record

Arsenal have signed the World Cup-winning Spain forward Mariona Caldentey from Barcelona on a free transfer. The 28-year-old had a 10-year spell at Barcelona during which she won 25 trophies, including three Champions Leagues, the third of which came in May against Lyon.

Arsenal view Caldentey as one of the best players in the world and their recruitment team identified her as a key target because of her ruthless winning mentality and the opportunity to sign her in the prime of her career. She has been given the No 8 shirt.