Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe set to join Premier League rival in £35m deal

Arsenal are close to agreeing a £35 million deal with Fulham to sell Emile Smith Rowe, according to reports.

Arsenal have already turned down offers from Fulham and Crystal Palace this month but both clubs were expected to return with improved bids.

Fulham’s previous bid of £30 million was rejected by Arsenal, while Palace were reportedly working on a new proposal worth £35m plus add-ons for the 23-year-old.

However, The Athletic reported late on Wednesday evening that Fulham ‘have manoeuvred themselves into a position’ to sign Smith Rowe and are now close to reaching an agreement with Arsenal.

The report adds that Smith Rowe is still to finalise personal terms with Fulham, as well as undergo a medical with the west London side.

Arsenal have faced a difficult decision over Smith Rowe’s future as the midfielder has shown plenty of potential since his first-team breakthrough in 2018 but struggled to secure a regular role under Mikel Arteta last season.

It’s understood that Arteta has been keen to keep Smith Rowe at Arsenal this summer, despite his lack of playing time last season.

Smith Rowe was restricted to just 14 appearances in the 2022/23 campaign due to a groin injury, while last season, he started just three games in the Premier League. Over the last two campaigns, he has played a combined total of 508 minutes in the Premier League.

Smith Rowe’s £35m move to Fulham would represent a major boost to Arsenal’s Profit and Sustainability margins given that the sale of academy players is registered as pure profit in the club’s accounts.

The midfielder is currently with Arsenal’s squad in Los Angeles for the start of their pre-season tour. Fulham, meanwhile, sealed a 4-0 win over QPR in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday.

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