Arsenal to pay world-record fee for Liverpool's Olivia Smith - source - ESPN

Olivia Smith is set to become the first player in the women's game to command a transfer fee of £1 million ($1.4m) 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 new world record transfer.

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It is understood the fee exceeds the previous world record amount which Chelsea set when they signed Naomi Girmafor $1.1m.

The deal is subject to personal terms being agreed but Arsenal look 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 record 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 squad.

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 contributed to this report.