It's less than six months since Arsenal's world-record bid for striker Alessia Russo was rebuffed by Manchester United, and the Gunners have, at last, got their woman.
Arsenal's sensational January approach for Russo, which arrived in the final days of the window, was met with widespread incredulity. Surely United, on the precipice of qualifying for the Champions League - and perhaps even claiming the Women's Super League title - for the first time ever, would not consider selling their talisman to one of their closest challengers?
They didn't. After turning down two big-money bids for their number 23 - the second of which, believed to be in the region of £500,000, would have seen her surpass Keira Walsh to become the most expensive player in women's football history - Russo stayed put.
But the saga had only just begun.
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In truth, Arsenal's pursuit of Russo can be traced back to 2020, when then-manager Joe Montemurro revealed the Gunners had been interested in signing the striker before her switch to Manchester United.
“We had a very good look at her at the start of this year and I had many conversations with her. She was obviously very interested,” Montemurro admitted at the time, reflecting on Russo's impressive displays for American college side North Carolina Tar Heels.
“Unfortunately, with Alessia, we just weren't in a position at the time to bring her in and she obviously found a solution at United. All credit to her, she's doing very well.”
At that juncture, it was the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent impingement on the transfer market that thwarted Russo's potential move to Meadow Park. But it seemed that any disappointment surrounding that particular sequence of events dissipated quickly, as she penned a deal with United in the summer of 2020.
“Alessia is a real talent and I’m delighted she’s joining the club," former England captain Casey Stoney - who managed the Red Devils from 2018 to 2021 - said after Russo was unveiled as a United player.
"She is a dynamic and powerful forward with so much pace, and we’re really looking forward to her coming into the squad."
There was also an element of romanticism surrounding Russo's switch to Leigh Sports Village. Despite growing up in Kent and coming through the ranks at Chelsea's academy, the 24-year-old hails from a family of United fans - one of the factors that ultimately led her to describe leaving Manchester as "one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make".
Russo scored 26 goals in 59 appearances for United, playing a crucial role in the club's path to Champions League qualification and a maiden FA Cup Final. Though silverware ultimately eluded Marc Skinner's side last term, there was, for the first time, a sense that United had finally arrived as a credible force in the women's game.
Perhaps the club believed that development alone would be enough to entice Russo to pen a new deal and shun lucrative offers from elsewhere.
"Our team is not about any one player. It’s bigger than anybody involved in the club," Skinner said on the final day of the WSL season when quizzed on the futures of Russo and teammate Ona Batlle, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer last month.
"I hope they stay, but if I was them I don’t think I’d want to leave from this team, in my opinion, because of what we’re achieving and what we’re doing."
It transpired that a desire to help her childhood club consolidate their place among Europe's elite was not enough to compel Russo to stay in Manchester.
According to The Athletic, sources close to the 24-year-old felt United had been slow to offer her a new deal, only tabling an acceptable offer in the final week on the WSL season, at which point Russo's attentions were elsewhere. And, just 18 days after it was confirmed she would be leaving United on a free transfer, the striker has put pen to paper on an Arsenal contract.
"I’m really excited to be here and I can’t wait to get going," Russo said. "I want to win trophies – as does everyone in this club.
"I can’t wait to get stuck in and grow as a player – it’s a new challenge and a new environment. I think the growth of the women’s game has been incredible, but particularly at a club like Arsenal."
When a protracted transfer saga like this one finally reaches its conclusion, months of mounting anticipation and frenzied social media debate can often segue into an anticlimactic lull. However, Arsenal fans won't have to wait long to see exactly what their new signing will bring to Meadow Park, with Russo set to represent England at the upcoming Women's World Cup in Australia in New Zealand.
The striker has already managed 11 goals in 22 senior appearances for the Lionesses, with her audacious back-heel against Sweden the pick of the bunch.
"You must have so much courage to do such an unpredictable and phenomenal thing like that," England boss Sarina Wiegman eulogised in the aftermath of Russo's now-infamous semi-final finish.
"No-one could ever react on it. It was phenomenal, it was really nice to watch."
While she won't wear the number nine shirt this summer - that particular honour has been bestowed on Aston Villa forward Rachel Daly - Russo will likely feature prominently in Wiegman's plans as England bid to add a World Cup trophy to their European crown.
In addition to her "courageous" goal-scoring instincts, Russo already boasts many of the desirable attributes required of an elite-level forward. Her athleticism, pace and hold-up play make her a fearsome prospect for any defender, while her willingness to run the channels and bring teammates into the game renders her one of the most complete strikers in the Women's Super League.
Perhaps it is that uniqueness that prompted Arsenal to lodge that world-record bid back in January, despite the fact the England international had just months remaining on her United contract. Another factor that undoubtedly played a part in that bid was a desire to bolster Jonas Eidevall's attack after losing both Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema to anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] injuries.
The duo are expected to make their return to the pitch next season, however the Gunners' desire to enlist Russo's service extended far beyond the need to plug an offensive gap.
Arsenal and Alessia Russo are a partnership that has been years in the making and, now a deal is finally over the line, both parties will be hoping it was worth the wait.
