Alessia Russo closing in on free transfer to Arsenal after Manchester United exit confirmed
On the move: Alessia Russo will leave Manchester United this summer
/ Manchester United via Getty Imagngland striker Alessia Russo is nearing a move to Arsenal this summer following confirmation she will leave Manchester United upon the expiry of her contract.
Arsenal have long been admirers of the European champion, and had two world-record bids turned down by United in January, and the second of those was worth nearly £500,000.
Arsenal are the favourites to sign Russo and are believed to be in talks to sign her.
United had been negotiating a new deal with Russo for 18 months, but the player grew frustrated when she deemed the salary offer arrived after she had set her sights on leaving.
Tweeting a video on her long-time association with United, Russo wrote: “It’s been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.”
United finished second to Chelsea in the WSL table this season and Russo was their top scorer, registering ten goals and one assist in 20 games. They will play in the Women’s Champions League football next season for the first time in the club’s history next season.
Russo won the Euros with England last summer and will join up with the Lionesses on June 19, ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.