DONE DEAL: Fulham sign £40 million Arsenal midfield maestro Smith Rowe as clubs reach agreement on terms
DONE DEAL: Fulham sign £40 million Arsenal midfield maestro Smith Rowe as clubs reach agreement on terms
Arsenal might be prepared for a flurry of sales this summer as they aim to add first-team talent to their title-chasing squad, including Emile Smith Rowe, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, who believe the Gunners may sell their academy product to Fulham due to a lack of playing time.
Last season, Arsenal came perilously close to winning the Premier League title under Mikel Arteta, with the Spaniard leading a push that saw them drop the league title to Manchester City by only two points in what was a strong assault for the trophy. Recruitments to take them to the next level will be required over the summer timeframe, which may result in an exodus of their existing crop, including Smith Rowe.
Fulham Want Smith Rowe as Key Midfielder
Earlier in the window, reports linked Smith Rowe with a move to Fulham following his disappointing season with the Gunners. The London-born star is said to be a summer target for the west London club, and he might leave after making only three Premier League starts for the Gunners following an injury-plagued season.
It remains to be seen whether Arteta will be satisfied with his departure, having shepherded Smith Rowe through the ranks after he burst onto the scene in 2021/22 – but with Arsenal progressing to potential title-winning candidates, he has lost his way in recent seasons, which may contribute to his exit.
Fulham Have Made Contact With Arsenal
According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Fulham is currently making first contact with Arsenal about the prospective acquisition of Smith Rowe, with the Cottagers looking to improve their ranks ahead of a major summer transfer.
The Arsenal player is available following a lack of game time at the Emirates Stadium last season, but it will cost £35 million to entice him away from north London at this point in the window, with Arsenal reportedly seeking a sum of £40 million for his services in coming weeks.
Fulham are interested, and have touched base with the Gunners about a potential deal but they value him at £25million. As such, it’s unlikely that the two will see eye-to-eye on a deal for the foreseeable future, but they are in a strong position to hold out for a higher fee, with Smith Rowe not having an obvious role in the Arsenal squad going forwards.
Marco Silva’s men are considering their options for the upcoming window, with Joao Palhinha, Willian, Bobby Decordova-Reid and Andreas Pereira all being linked with moves away from Craven Cottage – and whilst a defensive midfielder is key to their plans, they’re still holding out for a fee of £60million for Palhinha from Bayern Munich, which could end up reaching £55m once a decision is made.
| Emile Smith Rowe’s Premier League statistics – Arsenal squad ranking | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats | Output | Squad rank |
| Appearances | 13 | 19th |
| Dribbles Per Game | 0.2 | =13th |
| Shots Per Game | 1.2 | 9th |
| Pass Completion Per Game | 88.6 | 12th |
| Match rating | 6.35 | 20th |
Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and West Ham United are all interested in Smith Rowe to differing degrees, but they will wait to see how things play out, since they are unlikely to pay the asking amount in any event.
Palace are currently putting out a number of field calls, with Michael Olise all but out the door after Bayern Munich secured his services, as the south London club seeks new creative options at a good price.
Smith Rowe Could Find Feet at Fulham
Smith Rowe evidently has talent. He showcased that for Arsenal when they started to become Champions League contenders under Arteta, which resulted in an England call-up and his first international goal for the Three Lions.
He’s fallen slightly off the beaten track in recent months, but a move to Fulham could revitalise his career away from the Arsenal limelight – and at a progressive club like Fulham, he could become the star of the side.
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