Arsenal Set to Make History with £1 Million Move for Liverpool’s Olivia Smith
Arsenal Women are on the brink of completing a record-breaking signing of Canadian forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool, in what is poised to become the first-ever £1 million transfer in women’s football history.
The unprecedented deal marks a major milestone in the evolution of the women’s game and signals Arsenal’s intent to build a squad capable of dominating both domestically and in Europe.
Sources close to the negotiations confirmed that Liverpool have accepted Arsenal’s offer, which exceeds all previous transfer records in the women’s game. While the transfer remains subject to a medical and final agreement on personal terms, the move is already being hailed as a landmark development for the sport.
Olivia Smith, 20, only joined Liverpool in July 2024 from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon for a reported fee of just over £200,000. In her debut season in the Women’s Super League, she quickly became a standout performer, finishing as Liverpool’s top scorer with seven goals in 20 appearances. Her rapid rise attracted attention from other major clubs, including Chelsea and Lyon, but Arsenal’s ambitious bid ultimately won out.
The Canadian international is no stranger to the spotlight. She made her senior debut for the Canadian national team at the age of 15 years and 94 days, becoming one of the youngest players to do so. Her time at Sporting Lisbon was equally impressive—she netted 13 goals in 18 league matches, earning accolades such as Player of the Year and Young Player of the Season in Portugal’s top division.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Smith forms part of a bold summer transfer strategy under head coach Jonas Eidevall. The club has already added Chloe Kelly from Manchester City and Taylor Hinds on a free transfer from Liverpool, and are preparing for a title push in the Women’s Super League while also aiming to defend their UEFA Women’s Champions League crown.
This move is also significant for Liverpool, who made a major statement when they secured Smith a year ago, setting a club record at the time. Her sale now represents a substantial financial return on their investment and reflects a growing willingness by top clubs to operate aggressively in the women’s transfer market. Liverpool, owned by Fenway Sports Group, is expected to reinvest the funds from the record deal into squad strengthening ahead of the new season.
The impending transfer of Olivia Smith is being widely viewed as a turning point for the women’s game, symbolizing a shift in how clubs value female talent and how the transfer market is rapidly maturing. With clubs now willing to pay seven-figure sums for top players, analysts believe this moment could pave the way for further commercial expansion and investment in women’s football worldwide.
As the deal nears completion, fans, pundits, and players alike are watching closely. If all goes according to plan, Olivia Smith will become the most expensive female footballer in history, and Arsenal’s most high-profile signing to date. For Smith, it will be yet another step in a meteoric rise. For the sport, it could be the dawn of a new era.
