Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner is optimistic that Alessia Russo will sign a new contract with the club following a pair of failed bids from Arsenal.
The England international was understood to have been the subject of two offers from Jonas Eidevall's side, one of which would have seen Man United pocket a world-record £500,000 fee on deadline day.
Russo is only under contract with Man United until the end of the season, but Skinner's side nevertheless rejected the approaches from their Women's Super League title rivals.
Russo reportedly turned down an offer of a new contract from Man United last summer, and she could depart as a free agent at the end of the season if both parties cannot reach an agreement over fresh terms.
However, speaking to a press conference ahead of the weekend's WSL clash with Everton, Skinner believes that Russo has a "real love" for Man United and is hopeful that the club will agree a new deal with the 23-year-old.
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"I'm going to try everything in our power [to keep her a Man Utd player next season]. There are always factors and I've never really hidden anything," 90Min quotes Skinner as saying.
"There are things we need to work out. But actually, I think she has a real love for this club and we have a real love for her. I would be very hopeful and we're going to working off the field for that. But on the field, me and Alessia will just be working for this club's success. I would hope [she will stay].
"What is very clear is that Alessia Russo is a Manchester United player. If there were bids, they were turned down. I don't know, I haven't asked and I don't really care [if there were bids]. It's about what we're trying to build here.
"We have a vision and know what we want to achieve. I think it's a credit to Alessia and Manchester United that teams are even interested."
Russo - who struck five goals for England en route to the Euro 2022 crown - has 19 goals to show from 44 appearances in a Man United shirt since joining in 2020, including five goals from nine WSL matches in the 2022-23 campaign.
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The striker was named Man United's Players' Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season - coming up with nine goals and four assists in 22 league games - but she is yet to win a major trophy with the Red Devils.
Nevertheless, Skinner was pleased to report a "really positive" meeting with the England forward as Man United resume their quest for a first-ever WSL title.
"I spoke to Alessia this morning and we've had a really good meeting, really positive. I can't stress enough that Alessia is the nicest person, the best kid, great attitude, exactly someone we are looking to keep here and keep in negotiations around that," Skinner added.
"It was an easy conversation this morning. She wants to win here. I just reiterated that me and her have always had this relationship where it's business on the field and we'll look after each other and her being a better player and this club being a better team.
"She's the best to speak to because she's so focused on being successful. I can't speak any higher of her attitude and the way she gets on with her job. We've shared a real good moment, she was really positive and she has trained really well."
Skinner's side sit at the top of the WSL table with 28 points from 11 games in the 2022-23 season, ahead of reigning champions Chelsea on goal difference and three points better off than third-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
Ben Knapton
