Arsenal are on the verge of signing Smilla Holmberg, with Swedish outlet Sportbladet reporting that the club are expected to win the race for the 19-year-old Hammarby right-back.
According to the report by Amanda Zaza and Daniel Kristoffersson, only “a few small details” remain before the deal is completed, with the transfer likely to be made official within weeks.
Sportbladet adds that “unless something unforeseen happens”, Holmberg will join the WSL leaders during the winter window.
Holmberg has enjoyed a superb year in the Damallsvenskan, establishing herself as one of Sweden’s most exciting young players. She was part of the national squad for the 2025 European Championship and has already made seven senior international appearances, scoring once.
The full-back, who came through Hammarby’s academy and made her debut at 15, has made 64 league appearances for the Stockholm club, scoring eight goals.
She is under contract until 2026 but has been on Arsenal’s radar since the summer, when the club reportedly tried to agree a deal that would have allowed her to stay in Sweden until the end of the year.
Hammarby rejected that proposal at the time.
Holmberg’s form has seen her named on the Golden Girl list of top emerging talents, with her technical quality, stamina and attacking instincts marking her out as a natural fit for Renee Slegers’ system.