Arsenal make world-record striker bid

Suraj Radia

• 30 Jan 2023 22:46 GMT
• 2 min read

Arsenal have made a world-record bid for England forward Alessia Russo ahead of the transfer deadline tomorrow.

The 23-year-old rejected a contract extension with Manchester United last year and the club could now cash in for a record amount before her deal expires in the summer.

Arsenal are three points behind United in the Women’s Super League with a game in hand and their rival’s resolve could be tested with the offer, which would be more than the £400,000 Barcelona paid for Keira Walsh in September.

THROWBACK: Barca sign Walsh for world-record fee

The deadline for transfers in the WSL is at 5pm on Tuesday but clubs are free to talk to Russo ahead of a summer move due to her being in the last six months of her contract.

United are still hoping Russo commits her future to the club but an agreement has yet to be reached for a player who has scored 17 goals in 35 WSL games for the club.

Russo has been capped 17 times and was also part of England’s Euro 2022 triumph last summer, scoring four of her ten international goals in the tournament.

Record breaking transfers in Women’s football

Walsh made history when she moved from Manchester City to Barcelona last year, nearly doubling the previous record set by Pernille Harder in 2020.

Harder signed for Chelsea from Wolfsburg for around £250,000, breaking a 20-year record in the process set by Milene Domingues, the wife of former Brazilian superstar Ronaldo, in 2003.

LIST: The most expensive women's football transfers of all time

Beth England’s move from Chelsea to Tottenham earlier this month was the third highest fee of all-time, costing just over £250,000.