Matildas star Sam Kerr is set to join Chicago Red Stars in a significant three-way trade deal as draft day for the NWSL kicked off Thursday (Friday AEDT) in Philadelphia.

Speaking with The Equalizer on Draft Day, Red Stars head coach Rory Dames hinted at the potential move of Kerr to his club.

“Sam Kerr has been one of the best strikers in the world over the last 12-18 months,” said Dames. “Anybody who has a chance to get Sam would be excited to have her."

“Her age (24) is a huge upside,” he added. “She’s at the very front end of her career.”

The three-way trade would involve the movement of some of the NWSL's biggest stars including USWNT co-captain Carli Lloyd and star striker Christen Press.

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Along with Kerr, Press and Lloyd, several other players are set to make moves to new clubs including forward Jen Hoy, who moves from Chicago to Sky Blue, and Canadian forward Janine Beckie, who moves from Houston to Sky Blue.

The trade is not yet official and last month, Kerr was also linked to French giants Paris Saint-Germain. 

Kerr, who is the current NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner, had a standout NWSL season where she collected a host of awards and set a host of records including the single season record for number of goals and the all-time goalscoring record with 37 goals.

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Kerr also claimed Australian Sportswoman of the Year, ABC Sports Personality of the Year and AFC Women's Player of the Year.