World record - then even packed something on it again. But it doesn't help, Arsenal FC fails with the desired transfer due to the persistence of Manchester United. Alessia Russo should strengthen the candidates for the championship, the 23-year-old has experienced a turbulent six months since winning the European Championship.
The crown jewels, the Beefeater, the coin collection, historical armour, art and pomp, the ravens - and Alessia Russo's soccer shoes. The Tower of London offers a lot to see and a visit is a must when traveling to the British capital. How does the last part of the list fit into this? Russo couldn't believe it was the "coolest thing" that has ever happened to her. Her shoes were on display as a "national treasure" next to the crown jewels - she deserved that because she had won the European Women's Football Championship in her own country with England.
The recent excitement about her person is probably not that cool for her. The 23-year-old was to become the world record transfer in women's football. Arsenal FC offered more than 460,000 euros for the Manchester United striker. That alone would have made her more expensive than her national team colleague Keira Walsh, who switched from Manchester City to FC Barcelona last summer and cost around 460,000 euros. Because Man United stayed firm, Arsenal added a good 100,000 euros just a few hours before the transfer window closed, reported "Telegraph" reporter Tom Garry. But the Red Devils stood their ground. They didn't want to give up their striker for "no price".
With these prices on the transfer market, women are of course still a long way from the galactic prices of their male colleagues. As is well known, Paris St. Germain Neymar spent 222 million euros in the 2017/18 season, Kylian Mbappé also moved to Paris for 145 million euros. But the rising transfer fees for women reflect the growing importance of sport. A good two years ago, the transfer record at the time was around 100,000 euros less, for the 350,000 euros Pernille Harder from Wolfsburg at the time switched to Chelsea.
Russo had been selected for the special honor in the Tower as her goal in the 3-0 (final score 4-0) win against Sweden in the semifinals had been voted the best goal of the tournament by UEFA. Russo was initially denied by goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl, but the ball bounced off her run, so she took it to the right and then turned the heel through Lindahl's legs. I'm not sure I'll ever score a goal like that again," Russo later told the BBC. "It was great to be able to do it on a stage like this. It was special and people are still talking about it, which is nice."
She then visited her Töppen with her family in the Tower. "My family was over the moon. We were all a bit taken aback." But she also saw the award as an incentive. "If that means we get more recognition - as long as women's football continues to grow - then that's part of the job," she explained, emphasizing that a lot has changed since the European Championship title: "The growth of the sport in recent months Was incredible."
She felt that now with all the hustle and bustle about her person. She has been playing for Manchester United since 2020, but apparently it is only a matter of time for how long. Because her contract expires in the summer, negotiations about an early extension failed last June. Russo will be available on a free transfer in the summer, but Man United still beat the Transfermarkt record. League rivals Arsenal had reportedly been eyeing the centre-forward for months. Rival FC Chelsea and the Champions League record winners from Olympique Lyon and several US clubs are said to have been interested in a transfer.
The 23-year-old now stays with the leaders of the Women's Super League. Manchester United have 28 points after 11 games - the same as Chelsea - while Arsenal are third with a game down and 25 points. Russo would have been an extremely important reinforcement for the Gunners. With the top scorer in the European Championship, Russo's teammate Beth Mead, and the league's record scorer, Vivianne Miedema, two strikers are out with cruciate ligament tears. "I'd be disappointed if we couldn't bring in a goalscorer to add to the players we've already signed," said coach Jonas Eidevall. "Given the number and level of games we play, that should be a very important priority for us in this transfer window." Now it looks like Eidevall will have to make do with the existing staff. Other intended transfers, such as Signe Bruun from Olympique Lyon, also failed.
In the race for the title, the Londoners have scored five fewer goals than Manchester United, the double is possible. In addition to the league, Arsenal also plays for the FA Cup. On Saturday, the team, which has already won the cup 14 times, confidently defeated Leeds United 9-0 in the fourth round. Next they have to play away against defending champions Chelsea. But now without Russo.
The 23-year-old moved back to her home country from the US college team North Carolina Tar Heels in 2020. In 35 games so far in the Women's Super League, she has scored 17 goals and provided eight assists. She has scored five goals and served one in nine games this season. She shone with four goals at the European Championship and has already scored 10 goals in just 15 games for England's senior team.
