Manchester United Women are understood to have turned down a world record bid from Arsenal for their star England Lionesses player and joint top goalscorer in the WSL – Alessia Russo.

While the total amount of the bid remains undisclosed as per the BBC, it is thought to be higher than the previous world record of £400,000. This record was set back in September 2022 for Keira Walsh, who completed a move from Manchester City to Barcelona.

Russo turned down a contract extension with the Red Devils back in June 2022. Due to this, if she is not offered a new deal, her contract at Manchester United will expire on June 30, 2023. United’s Women’s team have been busy in the transfer already signing a box-to-box midfielder.

While United appear reluctant to let Russo go, they run the risk of losing her for free in the summer if they cannot agree a new deal with the Maidstone-born striker. This being said, losing one of their best players to a team such as Arsenal could scupper United’s WSL title charge.

Currently, United are top of the WSL, just ahead of last year’s winners, Chelsea, on goal difference. In third are Arsenal, who are three points behind the Red Devils at this stage in the season. When United and Arsenal met earlier in the year, it was United who came out on top by a score of 3-2 away from home.

Russo signed for United back in 2020 from Brighton. Since arriving at the club, she has scored 17 goals in 35 WSL games – a pretty impressive strike rate.

She was part of the England squad in 2022 that won the UEFA Women’s Euros. In the tournament, she was England’s second top goalscorer, just behind Beth Mead.