Alessia Russo will be watched closely over the next month after she was part of the highest-profile transfer deadline day saga in the history of the women's game.
Russo, who celebrates her 24th birthday on Wednesday, was the subject of two world record bids from WSL title contenders Arsenal. as the clock ticked down towards the window closing. But Man Utd refused to budge and held onto one of their most prized assets, although Russo will be out of contract in the summer.
The fact that Arsenal were still willing to pay a huge transfer fee to sign the England forward, even though the Gunners could still get her on a free transfer in a few months' time, shows just how highly Russo is rated across the league. But as she looks to become England's main striker in a World Cup year, how did the former Chelsea, Brighton and North Carolina star get to this point?
