Alessia Russo’s firepower can shoot ambitious Arsenal to next level

The England forward Alessia Russo has become Arsenal’s third signing of the summer having completed her move from Manchester United. The 24-year-old had interest from clubs at home and abroad but a move to north London always looked most likely. It is the culmination of months of speculation.

With Russo’s contract running down, Arsenal were heavily linked with her last summer and continued their interest in January with a world-record bid of just under £500,000. It was rejected by United who were in a title race and attempting to secure Champions League football for the first time.

The Gunners’ persistence paid off, however, with the striker turning down renewed attempts to keep her in the north-west to sign for Arsenal on a free transfer. She will reportedly become one of the highest-paid players in the WSL.

It is a move that has called into question United’s aptitude in contract negotiations and their ability to retain the best players. On the field, the club have never looked in a better place, finishing runners-up to Chelsea and with a Champions League campaign ahead. Behind the scenes, however, things may not be so rosy with contract offers for Russo and last-ditch attempts to prevent the equally high-profile departure of the Spain full-back Ona Batlle apparently coming too late.

While Batlle’s return to Barcelona always seemed on the cards, losing Russo is a blow. She is a childhood fan of the club and was firmly in Marc Skinner’s plans. There will now be extra pressure on United to find a No 9 of the same calibre – easier said than done in a position that is hard to recruit.

Furthermore, recent comments from Francesca Whitfield, the club’s head of group planning, at the European Club Association’s women’s football