Summary: Lizbeth Ovalle could become the first Mexican player to command a world-record transfer fee in men’s or women’s soccer, with reports attributing a $1.5 million price tag to a potential move from Tigres to the Orlando Pride.
Mexico international Lizbeth Ovalle is in advanced talks to join the Orlando Pride of the NWSL, a move that would set a world-record transfer fee in women’s soccer, sources say. The discussions point to a $1.5 million fee, with several reports earlier on Monday suggesting the price could climb as high as $2 million. The current women’s transfer record is Olivia Smith’s £1 million move to Arsenal.
A 10% sell-on fee would go to Tigres, according to the reporting, and Ovalle would become the first Mexican player, male or female, to hold a world-record transfer fee. The deal is said to be spread evenly over three guaranteed years. The Pride, who are the league’s defending champions, would add a winger who has spent her entire professional career with Tigres since 2017 and has helped the club win six Liga MX Femenil titles and three Campeon de Campeonas trophies.
On the international stage, Ovalle has more than 50 caps for Mexico and was named to the CONCACAF W Gold Cup Best XI after Mexico reached the semifinals in 2024. She also netted a standout opening goal in a historic 2-0 win over the United States in the tournament.
Several NWSL clubs were reportedly in the mix for Ovalle, with as many as half a dozen teams showing interest during this transfer window. The fee would be structured so that the three guaranteed years total $1.5 million, aligning with the league’s cap considerations. This season’s NWSL annual net spending threshold sits at $550,000 per team, a figure teams monitor closely when negotiating high-profile moves. Orlando previously added Brazilian midfielder Adriana to Saudi club Al Qadsiah FC for $500,000, with the fee spread over two years to maintain flexibility.
Additional context and analysis
– If completed, Ovalle’s transfer would highlight the NWSL’s growing appeal to top talent from Latin America and could boost visibility for Tigres on the international stage as a training ground for world-class players.
– The 10% sell-on clause provides Tigres with a continued financial stake should Ovalle’s value increase or if she transfers again in the future.
– The move could influence future transfer strategies for clubs looking to balance top-tier talent with long-term cap and spending plans, especially as the league remains open to multi-year, structured payments for big-name acquisitions.
– For Ovalle, the transition would bring exposure to one of the most successful teams in the league and a chance to compete for another title with Orlando, while continuing to bolster her already-impressive international résumé.
Outlook
If this deal is finalized, Ovalle’s arrival would be a landmark moment for Mexican players and the global transfer market in women’s soccer, underscoring the NWSL’s ability to attract top-level talent with multi-year contracts and financially meaningful offers. It would also further elevate the profile of Tigres as a launching pad for players moving to the world stage.