Transfer: Arsenal make Olivia Smith first £1million footballer

Arsenal are set to make Olivia Smith the first £1 million footballer in the women’s game.

The Guardian reports that the Gunners are ready to pay the fee to sign her from Liverpool.

It will confirm the 20-year-old Canada international, Smith, as the world-record transfer.

The fee will exceed the record set in January when Chelsea signed Naomi Girma for $1.1 million.

Liverpool had previously rejected offers from Chelsea and Lyon before accepting Arsenal’s bid.

Arsenal are looking to strengthen the squad which lifted the Champions League last season, while also lowering 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.

Transfer: Arsenal make Olivia Smith first £1million footballer