Lauren Hemp hails first £1m transfer fee as Arsenal poised to sign Liverpool forward Olivia Smith for record fee.
The fact that the women’s game is about to see its first £1 million transfer fee is positive for the sport and “proof that women’s footballers are great,” according to England winger Lauren Hemp.
46 years after the men’s game secured its first £1 million deal when Nottingham Forest signed Trevor Francis from Birmingham, it was announced on Thursday that Liverpool had accepted a £1 million offer from Arsenal for the Canada striker Olivia Smith. This would break the seven-figure barrier.
The Manchester City player acknowledged that the Lionesses had not kept up with transfer news while concentrating on this tournament, but she responded favourably to the historic fee. Hemp and England are getting ready to play Wales in Group D at Euro 2025 on Sunday.
“It’s the direction the women’s game is going in,” Hemp said. “As players, we’re in a bit of a bubble so we’re not really seeing much of that [news], we’re just focusing on the tournament. But it is great to see and it’s proof that women’s footballers are great.”
Smith is expected to join Arsenal following their Women’s Champions League victory, and the Lionesses are focused on defending their own European title following their 4-0 victory against the Netherlands on Wednesday.