Man Utd 'hopeful' of signing Brighton top scorer on free transfer | OneFootball

Manchester United are described as "hopeful" of signing Brighton & Hove Albion top scorer Elisabeth Terland as her contract with the Seagulls draws to a close.

The 22-year-old forward scored 13 of Brighton's 26 goals in the Women's Super League last season - only Golden Boot winner Khadija Shaw (21) scored more - playing an instrumental role in helping the club ultimately stay clear of the relegation zone after experiencing mid-season struggles.

According to the BBC, United are hopeful of completing a deal to sign the Norway international on a free transfer before the upcoming international break in July.

Losing Terland is a blow for the Seagulls on top of England winger Katie Robinson's exit at the end of her contract. The club also still doesn't have a manager after sacking Melissa Phillips in February.

But Terland's potential arrival in Manchester comes amid enormous scrutiny on the approach of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe towards the women's team, after comments admitting there is not yet a detailed plan and that the men have been prioritised.

Lucia Garcia's expected exit has finally been confirmed / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

It then became apparent only days later that refurbishment to the men's training facilities at Carrington will result in the women being pushed out of their newly opened building into temporary facilities to make way for the men while work is ongoing throughout 2024/25.

Player departures are also starting to come. 90min reported earlier this month that Paris Saint-Germain were "willing to do whatever it takes" to sign Mary Earps, and a more recent report confirms a deal set to make her the best paid female goalkeeper in the world is now close to being finalised.

The exit of Lucia Garcia, who scored twice in United's FA Cup final win over Tottenham last month, has also now been confirmed as she reaches the end of her contract. The 25-year-old Spain international was widely reported earlier this month to be heading to Mexican champions Monterrey on a free transfer and is currently in the country on holiday.

Although a final decision is yet to be made, the BBC has also reported there is a chance that club captain Katie Zelem could also exit this summer.