Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly close to joining London rivals Fulham in a deal set to be among the biggest sales in the club’s history.
In an earlier move by Fulham, a bid of £30 million was made for the Arsenal academy graduate, but on arrival, the London club rejected the bid stating low valuation as the reason.
In a recent bid sent by Fulham, the club submitted a proposal of £35 which has been one of the biggest sales in club history when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool. Also if the deal is completed the transfer will be Fulham’s biggest acquisition in the club’s history.
Arsenal Team Manager, Mikel Arteta downplayed the willingness of the club to let Emile Smith Rowe leave as he mentioned that the club will be willing to sanction other transfers from the team rather than letting the English young star leave the Emirate.
He further stated that the club would not stand in the way of the play if he wished to move from the club based on his personal reasons.
During Arsenal’s 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons when the club went through its transition, Smith Rowe was a key play for Arteta as he featured in several games for the Spaniard.
In the last two seasons, the English midfielder has found it difficult to have first-team minutes after injuries plugged his 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons. Also, the arrival of Declan Rice and Kai Harvetz has limited the game time for the player.
The player who has played 115 games for Arsenal has scored 18 goals after making his debut in 2019, in recent times the Arsenal Coach has preferred the mid-field trio of Martin Odegaard, Rice and Jorginho which has not gone well with the player.
Arsenal who has been active in the transfer market has recently agreed on a deal to sign Bologna defender Riccardo Califiori he has been billed to undergo a medical and join up with the club in the United States for their preseason camping.
It has been reported that another young Arsenal player Reiss Nelson is on his way out of the Emirate, the player has failed to get regular football time under Mikel Arteta.
The player who has had to compete with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in his position has played only 257 minutes of Premier League football during 2023/24.
Nelson who started his Emirate journey during the 2017/18 season has played just 49 Premier League games for the club in seven years, he has spent seasons out on loan at TSG Hoffenheim and Feyenoord.