Arsenal are expected to win the race for 19-year-old Swedish right-back Smilla Holmberg.
Reports in Sweden claim that only final details are left before the deal becomes official for the youngster who represented Sweden at Euro 2025.
She will be a name familiar to England fans after she missed her penalty during the Lionesses’ penalty shootout win over Sweden in the quarter-finals.
Arsenal closing in on Smilla Holmberg
Hammarby is close to finalising the sale of rising star Smilla Holmberg to Arsenal. According to Sportbladet, English powerhouse Arsenal is expected to win the battle for the talented right-back’s signature.
“It is no secret that Smilla has a lot of interest around (her),” said Hammarby CEO Richard von Yxkull to Sportbladet.
The 19-year-old defender has enjoyed a breakthrough season in Sweden’s top flight and earned a place in the Swedish national team squad for the European Championship.
Her performances have attracted major attention across Europe, with Arsenal emerging as the leading contender to complete the deal.
The transfer is said to be in its final stages, with only minor details left before it becomes official.
Von Yxkull emphasised that Holmberg’s focus remains on her current club and the national team despite admitting the interest surrounding her.
“Currently, her focus is on Hammarby and the national team. Until we communicate otherwise.”
If confirmed, Holmberg’s move to Arsenal would mark a significant step in her young career. However, the transfer window will not reopen until the start of January, meaning any official move cannot be completed before then.
👏 Smilla Holmberg finns med som en av tio nominerade till Golden Girl-priset, Tuttosports utmärkelse som delas ut till Europas bästa spelare under 21 år.
Stort grattis! 💚#Bajen pic.twitter.com/uQfPyV0IEe
— Hammarby Fotboll (@hammarbyfotboll) October 18, 2025
Who is Arsenal target Smilla Holmberg?
Smilla Holmberg has already made 64 appearances in the Swedish league, scoring eight goals, and has represented Sweden at senior level seven times, finding the net once.
Her rapid development has earned her a place on the “Golden Girl” list, which highlights the most promising young talents in women’s football.
At Arsenal, Holmberg would likely face competition from United States international Emily Fox for the right-back position, adding further depth to the squad.
She would likely initially play a backup role to Fox, who recently spoke of the ‘leaders’ at Arsenal and how they are important get Arsenal out of a tough spot, following a mixed start to the season.
Holmberg’s current contract with Hammarby runs until 2026, giving the Swedish club a strong position in negotiations.
Arsenal reportedly tried to sign Holmberg during the summer transfer window, proposing that she remain with Hammarby until the winter transfer window. Hammarby chose not to proceed with that arrangement at the time, preferring to keep one of their standout performers.
If all goes as expected, Arsenal fans may soon be welcoming another talented addition when the January transfer window opens.
Holmberg received a message of support from Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Holmberg missed the decisive spot-kick during Sweden’s penalty shootout defeat to England at Euro 2025.
The talented Swedish defender appeared emotional after she skied her spot-kick over the crossbar.
However, she did receive a message of support from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“It was a sad daughter I held in my arms about an hour after the game,” Holmberg’s father Ola Persson told Swedish radio after the defeat.
“She is strong and she has received a lot of support from both the team, supporters, friends and relatives, she even got a text message from Zlatan here this morning.”
Ibrahimovic enjoyed a legendary playing career and, like Holmberg, was linked with a move to Arsenal at the beginning of his career.
The Sweden legend did not join Arsenal but enjoyed a successful career with the likes of Inter Milan, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
