Arsenal have made a world-record bid for Manchester United and England forward Alessia Russo according to David Ornstein and followed up by other outlets.

READING, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Alessia Russo of Manchester United is tackled by Gemma Evans of Reading during the FA Women's Super League match between Reading and Manchester United at Select Car Leasing Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Reading, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
READING, ENGLAND – JANUARY 22: Alessia Russo of Manchester United is tackled by Gemma Evans of Reading during the FA Women’s Super League match between Reading and Manchester United at Select Car Leasing Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Reading, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Alessia Russo, who scored four goals for England at Euro 2022, including a memorable backheel against Sweden in the semi-final, is out of contract at the end of the season.

Talks over an extension with Manchester United have failed to find agreement, leaving the club at risk of losing her for free.

https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1620120343762583552

Arsenal are currently without Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema due to ACL injuries.

With manager Jonas Eidevall previously stating that it’s important for the team to bring in a prolific scorer in this transfer window, it seems they have opted to move for the Manchester United forward.

To give you an idea of the sort of bid that must be involved, Barcelona broke the women’s transfer record with the signing of Keira Walsh from Manchester City for around £400,000 last summer.

Lyon and Chelsea are also said to be interested.

The transfer window closes for domestic transfers in the WSL at 5pm on Tuesday and 11pm for overseas transfers.