Why Alessia Russo is leaving Manchester United

Alessia Russo will leave Manchester United as a free agent this summer after the club failed to tie the forward down to a new contract.

The 24-year-old, who top-scored for United for the second season running with 13 goals in all competitions this term, joined United in 2020 and has made 59 appearances in her three years with the club.

The Manchester Evening News understands negotiations over a new contract have been ongoing for 18 months but United left it too late to table an offer to the Euro 2022 winner that was deemed acceptable.

Russo was the subject of two world-record bids from Arsenal in January and the North London club are the front-runners to secure her signature.

Read more: Alessia Russo's open letter to United fans as she confirms exit after three years with the club

Clubs in Spain and America are also monitoring the situation, while there is also interest from French outfit Olympique Lyonnais. Russo has experience of playing in America having moved there as an 18-year-old in 2017 to play at college level for the North Carolina Tar Heels for two years.

United are understood to have made an improved contract offer to Russo following the conclusion of the season at the end of May, but at this point the player had made her mind up that she would be seeking a new club for next season.

Russo won United's players' player of the year award in 2021-22, before winning the fans' player of the year award this season.

Read more: