Alessia Russo will leave Manchester United when her contract expires at the end of the month, the club has confirmed.
Russo was the subject of two world-record bids from Arsenal in January, which were rebuffed by United. After 18 months of talks over a new contract, it is understood it was not until the final week of the season that United said they would match the salary on offer from Arsenal, a move that has frustrated the player and been deemed too little too late.
Russo starred for England at the Euros last summer, coming off the bench to score four times. Leading the line for United, she scored 10 league goals last season as they finished second behind Chelsea, securing Champions League football for the first time. She posted a message of thanks to the club and said leaving had been “the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make”.
Russo joined United in September 2020 after graduating from the University of North Carolina, where she played alongside the now Arsenal centre-back Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Arsenal have been the frontrunners in the race to sign Russo since January. However, with the forward available for free there has been lots of interest, including from Lyon and clubs in Spain and the National Women’s Soccer League in the US.
The departure of the lifelong United fan will be a worry for fellow supporters. With the club having finished two points behind Chelsea and qualified for the Champions League there was hope that they would hold on to key players.
However Russo’s exit is likely to be followed by that of the influential Spain right-back Ona Batlle, who has been a long-term target of the European champions Barcelona.
Russo’s destination is expected to be announced soon, with the 24-year-old due to join up with England on Monday before flying to Australia for the World Cup on 5 July.
United concluded a statement confirming Russo’s departure by saying: “Everyone at the football club would like to thank Alessia for her service and wish her luck for the future.”
