Alessia Russo admits WSL transfer saga has been ‘tough’

Alessia Russo has admitted finding the speculation about her future ‘tough’ as she prepares to join Arsenal after failing to agree a new contract with Manchester United.

Russo was one of the stars of the watershed 2022/23 WSL campaign off the back of her defining role for England at Euro 2022 last summer. But she had rejected the offer of a new deal from United shortly before the tournament and the issue of her future remained unresolved all season.

While United are believed to have matched the sums on offer elsewhere, it became apparent that the player’s camp had grown frustrated with the process after protracted talks.

Having spent three seasons in Manchester, Russo’s departure from United at the end of her contract this month was recently confirmed. At that point, she was already close to sealing a controversial free transfer to WSL rivals Arsenal, a move that will soon become official.

Russo had scored winning goals against Arsenal home and away in the WSL in two momentous United victories and was the subject of two world record bids from the Gunners very late in the January transfer window that were turned down.

She went on to score important goals after that, including a hat-trick against Leicester, one of the aforementioned winners against Arsenal, and against Tottenham to reach double figures and record her best ever WSL tally (10). Her attitude was also praised by United manager Marc Skinner.

But it has been no easy ride for the 24-year-old vying to start for England at this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand amid competition from Rachel Daly and Bethany England.

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“Towards the end of the season it was tough and the summer has been tough,” Russo explained.

“You don’t like things in the media about you but that’s football and that’s the state of the women’s game now. I just turned it off, took a break on holiday and completely switched off with my friends and family. Coming back into an environment like [the England pre-World Cup camp] is perfect because you’re competing and all your focus is on England.”

Russo’s departure means no longer being clubmates with close friend Ella Toone. The pair have known each other since first meeting at Under-15 level, quickly formed a close bond and were brought together when the former arrived at Manchester United in 2020.

“Me and Lessi will be friends for life, no matter where we are,” Toone said.

“For both of us, right now, it’s focusing on England and the World Cup, going out there and hopefully playing together. Whatever, Lessi does in her career is up to her and I always wish her the best and hope she does well. That’s football and it’s just what happens.”