Alessia Russo x Manchester United. Photo credit: Alessia Russo (Twitter)
Alessia Russo has been at Manchester United for 3 years. She made the move from North Carolina Tar Heels in 2020. In an interview following the signing of her first professional contract she said, “I’m so honoured to be here, I come from a family of Manchester United supporters so it’s a dream to now say I am a part of this great club”. Knowing that the club had big ambitions Alessia said she was eager to push for the Champions League and help to grow this amazing team.
Going into the 2022/23 season off the back of what was an incredible summer with her national team, the pressure was on for Russo to carry on that momentum into club football. Challenging the top 3 (Chelsea, Arsenal, & Man City) and claiming a spot in the Champions League was a tough task but one they were ready to take on and accomplished!
Despite them having their best season in the WSL so far, many players are still yet to commit to the Red Devils for the 2023/24 season.
Manchester United striker Alessia Russo is one of the big names whose future at the club hangs in the balance.
‘Manchester United have rejected the world record offer from Arsenal to sign Alessia Russo’!
According to former Arsenal goalkeeper Emma Byrne in a podcast, Alessia Russo will join Arsenal. 👀
Russo has not yet been able to reach an agreement with ManUnited on a contract extension.#AlessiaRusso #Arsenal #FAWSL pic.twitter.com/CCtfOuX5au— Soccerdonna (@soccerdonna) May 31, 2023
January transfer window- OPEN!
In January, A world-record bid of around £500,000 was put in for the England striker. Making her the most expensive female footballer since Kiera Walsh moved from Manchester City to Barcelona in September 2022. Mixed views on the transfer were among the United and Arsenal fans. While United were reluctant to lose their striker. Arsenal saw the positives as it gave them a better chance to compete for the title.
With the Gunners losing both Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema to the dreaded ACL injury, Arsenal were in desperate need of a solution. Russo could have been the missing piece Jonas Eideval and his team were looking for.
Manchester United had talks with Russo regarding her contract before the transfer window opened in January. However, little or no progress was made. With the season now over, there are rumours to suggest that United has offered her a 6-year contract. This offer has not been accepted. She is free to talk to other clubs about a potential move in the summer. Arsenal is still one of the favourites to claim Russo as a free agent. Chelsea and Lyon are also showing interest.
The manager’s opinion:
Manager Marc Skinner expressed his admiration for Alessia by saying “I can’t speak highly enough of her as a person”. He also said when asked about keeping Russo “I will try everything in my power to do so”. He knows she is a valuable member of the team. Though his words and the club will mean a lot to her, her decision is still uncertain.
Fan Favourite
Alessia has made an impressive impression on the fans since joining the club. ‘RUSSO, RUSSO’ became a popular chant vocalised by the fans at both home and away games. To lose such an amazing player will not only impact the team but the people who support them every week.
"It's a great feeling but it's nothing without the girls." 🤗
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 29, 2023
Will Alessia Russo remain at the club she always dreamed of playing for as a young girl? Or will the temptation of new opportunities push her to make the move?
More information to follow.
Written by Lauryn Wilcock
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