Man Utd make goalkeeper priority amid strong Arsenal interest in Lionesses stopper

Manchester United have made tying down Mary Earps to a new deal their top priority this summer after seeing Arsenal ramp up their interest in the Lionesses star.

Earps, 30, has just one year to run on her current deal at the club and the Red Devils are desperate to agree a new deal with the England star after rejecting a ‘world record’ fee from the Gunners in recent weeks.

As reported by DAZN’s Alex Ibaceta last week, Earps was the subject of a ‘substantial’ bid from their Women’s Super League rivals with Jonas Eidevall’s side looking to test United’s resolve to hang onto their star goalkeeper, who sees her contract expire at the end of the season.

The report claimed Arsenal have lodged two bids for Earps, with the second bid ‘significantly’ higher than the current record of £100,000 for a goalkeeper, which was paid by NWSL side San Diego Wave for Kailen Sheridan last year.

Marc Skinner’s side have already lost one player to the North London side in similar fashion after Alessia Russo made the move south to join Arsenal following the expiration of her contract in June and United are determined to ensure it does not happen again - and ManchesterWorld understands the club have made tying her to a new deal their number one priority this summer.

Widely seen as the best goalkeeper in world football, Skinner has previously spoken to ManchesterWorld about the importance of retaining Earps, telling us in January: “It is something that we are looking towards (signing a new contract). She has been excellent for us and she is someone I personally have a lot of time for. When we have the update on that, we will give you that. She’s a huge part of what we do.”

Manchester United are still on the look out for new recruits having welcomed Gemma Evans, Emma Watson, Evie Rabjohn and Geyse to the club during the summer window. Skinner’s side are close to completing the purchase of Japanese midfielder Hinata Miyazawa and have long help an interest in Portugal midfielder Tatiano Pinto, but will then centre their focus on agreeing a new deal with Earps amid the strong interest from Arsenal.