Arsenal are gearing up for a major transfer exit as they near an agreement with London rivals Fulham for fan-favourite Emile Smith Rowe.
Emile Smith Rowe Nearing Fulham Move
Record Sale for Arsenal
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Fulham are close to reaching an agreement with Arsenal for the transfer of Smith Rowe. If accepted, the deal would be worth £35 million.
This would be a record move for both clubs. The Gunners’ biggest sale was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017. He was sold for £35 million, the same amount as the current offer for Smith Rowe. The Cottagers’ most expensive signing was Jean Michael Seri, signed from OGC Nice for £27 million in 2018.
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Though Fulham’s first bid of around £30 million was rejected a few weeks back, they kept pursuing the Englishman. And now they look set to have achieved success in this transfer saga.
The money received from this deal will be accounted for as pure profit since Smith Rowe is an Arsenal academy product. A huge sale such as this will provide sporting director Edu Gaspar the financial leeway to make more big-money signings.
Injuries and Game-Time Influence Smith Rowe’s Transfer
Injuries have been the biggest spoilsport in Smith Rowe’s career. The “forward-looking“ Arsenal midfielder was forced to miss 31 games in the last two seasons due to injuries. Consequently, he couldn’t play in a continuous stretch of games, making it difficult to prove his worth to Mikel Arteta.
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Even while fit, Smith Rowe was mostly listed as a substitute. A player as skilled as the 23-year-old was never content with the role of a bench warmer. Thus, he was open to a Fulham move.
Hence, as heart-breaking as it might be for Arsenal fans to see one of their own leave the club, Fulham will provide Smith Rowe with more minutes on the pitch.
