Arsenal target Man Utd World Cup star on FREE transfer after WORLD-RECORD bid rejected
Cameron Smith
- 8 Sept 2023 09:45 BST
- 4 min read
Arsenal are targeting a free transfer move for Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps in 2024 after seeing a world-record bid turned down for the England Lionesses star.
Earps, 30, won the Golden Glove at this summer’s Women’s World Cup and is the reigning The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year holder after winning the 2022 award.
Following her performances at the World Cup, Arsenal launched a world-record bid for a goalkeeper in the women’s game, as per The Mirror, but the Gunners saw that offer turned down by Man Utd Women.
However, Earps is now reportedly unsettled at Old Trafford and is seeking an exit. Man Utd have turned to West Ham United’s Mackenzie Arnold as a possible replacement for Earps, according to The Mirror.
But, the Red Devils could be set to lose another star on a free transfer to Arsenal following Alessia Russo’s departure this summer.
READ MORE: The five most expensive England Lionesses players of all time
Earps to Arsenal?
The Athletic’s Charlotte Harpur has reported that Arsenal are interested in signing Earps in 2024, when her contract at Man Utd expires. As a result, she could follow her England Lionesses team-mate Russo in leaving Manchester for London on a free transfer.
Man Utd rejected a world-record bid for Russo from Arsenal in January, but the 24-year-old then snubbed a contract extension at Old Trafford to join Jonas Eidevall’s side on a free transfer this summer.
That exact same scenario could potentially happen with Earps too, as Man Utd face losing a second star to Arsenal on a free transfer within the space of 18 months.
Earps is one of four England Lionesses to have been nominated for the 2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or. She is joined on the shortlist by Chelsea’s Millie Bright, Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly and Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway.
The current Man Utd star conceded just four goals during England’s run to the World Cup final, keeping three clean sheets along the way.
