Man United trying to sign Brazilian forward Geyse as Alessia Russo's replacement

Manchester United are trying to sign Brazilian forward Geyse from Barcelona, Mail Sport understands.

United are looking to replace Alessia Russo, who decided to leave the club upon the expiration of her contract.

Sources close to the club told Mail Sport that Geyse, who won the Spanish League and Champions League in her first season with Barca, is one of their top targets.

Geyse has one year left on her contract, meaning United will need to agree a fee with the Catalans

The forward finished second for assists in last season’s Champions League and also recorded the third highest speed.

Geyse, who made her Brazil debut at the age of 19, is set to play a key role for her country at this summer’s World Cup.

United are looking to bolster their squad after losing Russo and Ona Batlle in the last two weeks.

Both players were key to securing Champions League football for the first time but United were unable to tie them down to new contracts.

It is understood Russo’s representatives were frustrated over how long and drawn out the negotiation process had become.

Polly Bancroft, United’s head of women’s football, had started negotiations before Sam Barnett, who looks after contracts on the men’s side, was drafted into help.

United were confident they made the forward a good offer, one that would have made her the club’s highest paid player in history.

But she is now set to sign for Arsenal, who had a world record bid rejected in January, on a free transfer.