Lyon agrees near-record fee transfer for Tarciane from Houston Dash: Sources

Squad Depth understands a historic move for Texas NWSL is set to be completed before the end of the January transfer window.

Lyon agrees near-record fee transfer for Tarciane from Houston Dash: Sources
The highly regarded Tarciane training with the Houston Dash | Courtesy of the Houston Dash

Michele Kang and Olympique Lyonnais may have missed out on Naomi Girma, but it appears the French giants have found their new elite center-back.

Squad Depth understands that Lyon is finalizing a deal for Houston Dash defender Tarciane for a transfer fee of around $830,000 (800,000), with performance-based add-ons potentially bringing the deal close to $1 million (960,000).

Lyon are yet to respond to a request for comment. The Dash did not comment on the transfer or Tarciane, but sent a statement on the club's transfer business and squad moves overall.

"The team is evaluating the roster and will share updates following approved transactions. Our staff is committed to building a competitive team for the upcoming season and sustainability," Houston said via email.

"This includes key additions we recently announced to our roster that is anchored by a veteran core. We are excited to see this project take shape as we navigate the start of preseason.”

Tarciane reported for the start of pre-season in Houston on Monday and also took part in full training on Tuesday. However, she did not take part in club media day duties for the new season. Sources indicate her imminent departure has been communicated within the club.

Houston is set to make a considerable profit in a short period of time. It was only in April 2024 that Tarciane joined the Dash from the Brazilian club Corinthians for $485,000. Houston paid a club-record transfer fee.

New Dash president and general manager Angela Hucles Mangano, who was hired in December 2024, deserves credit for holding firm on a high price for Tarciane. Even before add-ons, the $830,000 fee is expected to be the second-largest ever received by an NWSL club, and one of the biggest transfers in women's football history. A landmark moment indeed.

Lyon has been negotiating against the clock. The European transfer window will close on Thursday, January 30. Lyon has been interested in Tarciane since the end of the 2024 NWSL season, with the potential for a move on the cards in either the January or summer transfer windows.

As reported by Meg Linehan and The Athletic, the eight-time Champions League winners had also been chasing USA superstar Girma, who eventually signed with Chelsea last week for a world-record fee of $1.1 million.

Tarciane, 21, is considered one of the most promising young players in the world. In 2024, she finished 23rd on the Ballon D'Or list. The consensus is the young Brazilian has all the tools to be one of the best defenders in the world, even if perhaps she isn't quite there yet.

In Brazil, trophies came in a flurry. At 17, Tarciane moved from Fluminense to Corinthians, and there she won two Copa Libertadores Femeninas in 2021 and 2023. In addition to three Brazilian league titles between 2021-2023.

In 2022, she made her debut for the senior Brazilian national team and has since become a mainstay in the heart of the defence, earning 16 caps and scoring two goals. She finished as a runner-up at the 2024 W Gold Cup and Olympics. Losing to the USA 1-0 in the final on both occasions.

In terms of style of play, at 6'0" tall, she is known for her presence and ball-hawk ability on both sides of the ball. Whist she also brings a deft touch, a passionate competitive edge, an icy demeanor from the penalty spot, a penchant for crisp long passes, and exceptional recovery speed.

Due to her international duties with Brazil at the 2024 Olympics, Tarciane's debut season in the NWSL was fragmented. Statistically, her performances with the Dash doesn't jump off the page.

In 2024, Tarciane made 11 total appearances (913 minutes), five of those before and six after the Olympic break. The Dash finished last in the NWSL table, with a record of W:5 D:5 L: 16.

On Tarciane's debut, in May 2024, the Dash had their biggest win of the season: A breathtaking 3-0 win over the North Carolina Courage where the Brazilian thrived.

In one of her other better performances of the 2024 season, a 2-1 defeat away to NJ/NY Gotham FC, Tarciane injured her shoulder and missed several matches. Having dominated the opposition all match, she was pulled from the match in the 88th minute with the score 1-1. The Dash went on to concede in the 93rd minute.

Hucles Mangano has been busy in the transfer market and will now have even bigger spending options with the sale of Tarciane.

During this offseason, Houston has spent $400,000 in allocation money to bring in Yazmeen Ryan, while also spending $100,000 (+ $50,000 in potential add-ons) in transfer fees on Messiah Bright.

Time will tell what moves Hucles Mangano and the Dash can make before the start of the NWSL season on March 14th. Although the European window will shut on January 30th, Houston will still be able to transfer players within the NWSL.