Mexico international Lizbeth Ovalle set to break Olivia Smith’s £1m world record transfer to Arsenal | OneFootball

Aug 1, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tigres UANL midfielder Lizbeth Ovalle (14) controls the ball against the Kansas City Current during the match at CPKC Stadium. Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Mexico international Lizbeth Ovalle is closing in on a move to Orlando Pride that would break the world transfer record, which is currently held by Olivia Smith.

Smith became the first £1 million player in women’s football when she joined Arsenal from Liverpool last month.

However, her world record could be ended after just little more than a month, as National Women’s Soccer League side Orlando Pride look to sign Ovalle from Mexican side Femenil Tigres.

Lizbeth Ovalle set to break world transfer record in move to Orlando Pride

Reports from Mexico and the United States have suggested that Lizbeth Ovalle is set to break the world transfer record held by Olivia Smith, with her move to Orlando Pride.

In Mexico, it is claimed that the 25-year-old winger could join the NWSL side for just under £1.5m ($2m).

However, ESPN has reported that a source has told them, that the fee will be just over £1.1m ($1.5m).

Either way, Ovalle would break Canadian international Smith’s current world record fee of £1m.

Ovalle would also become the first men’s or women’s player from Mexico to earn the distinction of moving for a world record transfer fee.

She had previously been linked with a move to Barcelona. However, the Spanish side have had to sell players this summer to balance their accounts.

Who is Lizbeth Ovalle?

Lizbeth Ovalle has spent her entire playing career at Tigres, becoming a legend for the Mexican side.

She has scored 119 goals in 258 appearances and has won six Liga MX Feminil titles.

The winger has also won three Campeon de Campeonas trophies.

For Mexico, she has earned 58 caps and scored 20 goals. She was in the best XI in last year’s Concacaf W Gold Cup, where Mexico made the semi-finals.

Ovalle also took the award for goal of the tournament at the 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

She is set to leave Tigres for the National Women’s Soccer League, and will be a huge signing for Orlando Pride who are currently third in the standings.

The 10 most expensive transfers in women’s football history

At this moment in time, Olivia Smith is the most expensive player in women’s football history, after her £1m move to Arsenal from Liverpool.

It was a move that led to Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson, a former coach of Smith in Canada’s youth ranks, to compare the football star to WNBA player Caitlin Clark in an exclusive interview with SheKicks.

Below, is a list of the 10 most expensive players in women’s football history.