Arsenal and Fulham are closing in on a deal for Emile Smith Rowe matching the Gunners’ biggest sale, according to a report from David Ornstein.
Arsenal previously rejected a bid of £30million for the Hale End Academy product, but Fulham returned with an improved bid worth up to £35million. If the deal is completed, the move would match Arsenal’s biggest sale previously met when the Gunners sold Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool. The transfer would also be Fulham’s record acquisition.
Ornstein reported earlier this week that Mikel Arteta and the club preferred to sell other players over Smith Rowe, but wouldn’t stand in the player’s way if he wanted a move and a suitable bid came in. Smith Rowe has yet to undergo a medical and finalize personal terms, but Smith Rowe would figure to receive more first-team minutes at Craven Cottage than the Emirates Stadium.
Smith Rowe’s sale would be pure profit considering he came through Arsenal’s academy.
Injuries have prevented Smith Rowe from receiving consistent minutes in the first-team squad / MB Media/GettyImages
Arsenal and Fulham nearing agreement on Emile Smith Rowe deal
Smith Rowe was an important member of Arsenal’s 2020/21 and 21/22 side as the team underwent a transitional phase. During the team’s two title challenges after, Smith Rowe was injury plagued and saw his first-team minutes dwindle in the rise of Granit Xhaka’s form, the arrival of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.
Even when Havertz who originally was tasked with taking up the left-sided 8 mantle moved up top, Arteta preferred a midfield trio of Martin Odegaard, Rice and Jorginho. Smith Rowe has made just three Premier League starts since August of 2022. The England international has made 115 total appearances for Arsenal scoring 18 goals after making his debut in 2019.
If the deal is completed, Arsenal still needs midfield depth and a left-sided playmaker. Fans have often complained that the team was too static at points last year compared to the season prior with Xhaka in the role.
Arteta’s side has been linked with the likes of Mikel Merino this summer after agreeing to a deal with Bologna for the transfer of Riccardo Califiori. Leicester City has also been linked with a move for another Hale End product, Reiss Nelson.
