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Emily Keogh
Olivia Smith is set to become the first player in the women’s game to command a transfer fee of £1 million ($1.4 million) as Arsenal seek to secure her signature from Liverpool, a source has told ESPN.
The news was first reported by The Guardian, and the move is set to establish Canada international Smith, 20, as the world record transfer.
It is understood the fee will exceed the record set in January when Chelsea signed Naomi Girma for $1.1 million.
The Smith deal is subject to personal terms being agreed upon, but Arsenal appear to have won the race for the much-admired forward.
Sources have told ESPN that Liverpool had previously rejected offers from Chelsea and Lyon before accepting Arsenal’s bid.
Sources said it is part of Arsenal’s aim to strengthen their squad after the Champions League triumph, and also to lower the overall age profile of the team.
Smith, who joined Liverpool last summer from Sporting CP, was voted the club’s player of the year for 2024-25 after scoring nine goals in all competitions.
She could become the second Liverpool player to make the move to north London, following Taylor Hinds’ free transfer to Arsenal earlier this week.
Information from ESPN’s Tom Hamilton was used in this report.