Alessia Russo has remained a Manchester United player after Women’s Super League rivals Arsenal tried to sign the England striker before the transfer deadline.
The Gunners had been looking to bolster their attack and launched a big-money bid for Russo a few days ago.
That bid was rejected by United, as was a follow-up world record offer – reported to be just under £500,000 – and Russo was still a United player when the transfer window closed at 5pm on Tuesday.
That deal would have surpassed the £350,000-£400,000 initially thought to have been paid by Barcelona to sign England teammate Keira Walsh from Manchester City in September.
That number was later called into question when Barcelona women’s general manager Markel Zubizarreta told Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo the club paid less than €350,000 (£310,000) for the midfielder, without revealing the exact amount.
Russo has netted five goals across nine WSL appearances for United this season and would have been an ideal solution for the Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall.
The Gunners have lost forwards Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema to anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
United lead the WSL, level on points with defending champions Chelsea, while Arsenal sit third, three points behind but with a game in hand.
Russo scored four times to help England win Euro 2022, including a memorable backheel in the semi-final victory over Sweden that earned her a nomination for the Fifa Puskas Award for goal of the year.
Liverpool have re-signed striker Natasha Dowie from Reading on loan until the end of the season.
The 34-year-old previously had three seasons at the the club under current manager Matt Beard from 2013 to 2015, during which time she scored 45 goals in 66 appearances and won two Women’s Super League titles.
“It’s been a surreal last couple of days and it’s all happened quite quickly to be honest, but I’m over the moon to be back,” said Dowie, who is eligible for the league game with Leicester on 12 February as she cannot play against her parent club this weekend.
“This is my home and it’s where I’ve had such great memories – the best memories of my football career, winning the league here – and I just really want to help Liverpool get up the table as much as I can and be involved.”