Liverpool Women plot club-record transfer for Olivia Smith
Liverpool are willing to break their transfer record to sign Canadian teenager Olivia Smith according to BBC Sport (27June).
BBC journalist Emma Sanders reported that the Reds have made Smith a priority target and have been negotiating with the Canada international for months.
Liverpool will need to pay the £210,000 release clause in Smith’s Sporting CP contract to secure the deal.
A deal would see Smith surpass Sophie Haug’s £100,000 move from Roma as the Reds most expensive signing.
Quality over quantity for Liverpool
Manager Matt Beard is targeting quality over quantity this summer [Liverpool ECHO, 27 June].
Smith would mark as a statement of intent from Liverpool as they aim to improve on last season’s fourth placed finish in the WSL.
Regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the women’s game, Smith plays as a forward or attacking midfielder.
Her signing would be a significant upgrade on the departing Melissa Lawley and Shanice van de Sanden, both of whom only managed a goal each in the WSL last term.
Smith enjoyed an incredible debut season in Portugal scoring 13 goals in 18 Liga BPI appearances, which is nearly double the amount of Liverpool’s top goalscorer last season Haug with seven.
Scoring goals is the most valuable commodity in football and it is clear that’s what Beard wants more of next season.
Smith’s performances earned her Young Player of the Season and Player of the Year awards.
She became Canada’s youngest senior member at 15 years and 94 days in 2019 and featured in the Women’s World Cup squad last year.
With age on her side and international experience this would represent a massive coup for the Reds.
Beard’s plan of putting together a side capable of winning Liverpool their first WSL since 2014 is starting to take shape.
In other Liverpool news, Cody Gakpo Euro 2024 performances gives Arne Slot Liverpool selection dilemma.
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