According to [The Guardian’s Tom Garry](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/10/olivia-smith-world-record-transfer-1m-signing-arsenal-liverpool), Olivia Smith is on the verge of joining Arsenal. The highly-rated young forward has attracted multiple offers, but Liverpool rejected them all—until now. The Gunners have reportedly made an offer the club couldn’t refuse.
The transfer fee is expected to surpass the $1.1 million Chelsea paid for Naomi Girma in January, which would make Smith’s move the most expensive transfer in women’s football history.
Smith signed for Liverpool in July 2024 after an impressive debut professional season with Sporting CP in Portugal, where she scored 13 goals and registered 9 assists in 18 appearances. She was named both Best Young Player and Revelation Player in the Portuguese league.
Internationally, the 20-year-old has also made a strong impact. She debuted for Canada in 2019 at just 15 years old, featured in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and was named Young Player of the Tournament.
Liverpool reportedly paid just over £200,000 to sign Smith from Sporting CP. When she joined the club, she said:
“It’s definitely a prestigious club as a whole, and also for my dad—it’s very important for him. This is the club he’s been watching and following since he was younger. So, it’s very cool to actually be a part of this thing and get this opportunity.”
Now, just a year later, Smith could be involved in a record-breaking move to one of Europe’s top clubs.
Fresh off winning the UEFA [Women’s Champions League](https://womenfootball.blog/womens-champions-league/), Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad even further. The Gunners have already confirmed the signings of Taylor Hinds and Chloe Kelly, and are also reportedly targeting goalkeeper Anneke Borbe.
Olivia Smith’s potential arrival would underline Arsenal’s intent to remain at the top of European football.