• Late takeover bid for women’s team falls through
• Fifth tier is best case but whole set-up could be closed

Reading have requested to withdraw from the Women’s Championship, after an 11th-hour bid to take over the women’s arm of the club fell through, and the entire women’s and girls’ programme could soon be closed down.

Multiple age-group teams were told on Friday they would not be continuing and staff are understood to have been informed in a series of meetings that there were no guarantees of funding for any women’s and girls’ teams for next season.

• Talks held over possible deal, according to sources
• Bronze will be coveted by clubs across the world

Chelsea have emerged as strong contenders to sign Lucy Bronze, after Barcelona announced the England right-back would leave when her contract expires on Sunday.

Bronze is certain to be coveted by clubs all over the world but, according to sources, discussions have been held with regards to a possible switch to Chelsea. If the English club pull off the deal, it would be one of the highest-profile transfers of the summer. The Women’s Super League champions did not wish to comment when approached by the Guardian.