Manchester United striker Nikita Parris turned down a lucrative move to the United States last month, prioritising her team’s bid to win the FA Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Despite her contract expiring this summer, Parris was subject to a previously unreported pursuit by National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side North Carolina Courage.
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An agreement had been reached between the clubs before the April 19 transfer deadline in what would have marked a record women’s sale for United, while the 30-year-old forward stood to earn £1million over a three-year deal.
All that remained was for the paperwork to be signed — but with their season underway, the Courage wanted Parris to join immediately.
United beat Chelsea in the semi-finals on April 15 and Parris made clear she did not wish to depart until after the Wembley showpiece.
The Courage could not guarantee they would wait that long and — given Parris refused to miss the game — the switch collapsed.
They have lost three of four fixtures since then, having won three of four prior. It is unclear at present if the situation will be revisited when the NWSL market reopens on August 1.
United must now make a decision on the England international’s future, as her terms include an option to extend by 12 months.
Parris has scored 16 goals in 28 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign, which takes her overall tally to 25 strikes across 55 matches since arriving from Arsenal in August 2022.
GO DEEPER
My game in my words. By Nikita Parris
(Photo: Charlotte Tattersall – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
