Fulham are reportedly leading the pursuit to sign one Arsenal player who is rated highly by Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners are set to see a number of high-profile players depart the Emirates Stadium in the coming weeks as Arteta looks to overhaul his squad yet again in order to improve his options going into the new season.
Having come so close to the Premier League title, a midfielder and an attacker are being targeted by Arsenal with numerous fringe players likely to leave north London in order to raise the overall quality of the first-team squad.
And Fulham could now make an ambitious move for just such a player.
Emile Smith Rowe wanted by London rivals Fulham this summer
According to the Telegraph, Fulham have made Emile Smith Rowe a ‘transfer priority’ this summer, with the west London side readying a bid to sign the 23-year-old attacking midfielder.
Praised by Luton Town manager Rob Edwards as ‘outstanding’, Smith Rowe has been plagued with injury issues over the last two seasons that has seen the £60m-rated England international’s development regressed.
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Having not scored since the 2021/22 season, Smith Rowe’s time at Arsenal could be coming to an end with the no. 10 one player who could be moved on if a good enough offer was to be made.
And in Fulham, Smith Rowe could have the ideal club to restart his development, with former Arsenal stars Bernd Leno and Willian thriving at Craven Cottage in the last two seasons.
Arsenal might have to make a difficult decision with Smith Rowe
Hailed by Arteta as a ‘beautiful’ player to watch, it’s safe to say that the decision to sell Smith Rowe this summer will be one that a lot of supporters will be against should such a deal happen.
Whilst the attacker has hardly played in the last two seasons, Smith Rowe’s status as a Hale End graduate and a player who is a joy to watch has made the England international a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium.
Yet if a club like Fulham were to make a sizeable offer for Smith Rowe, Arsenal might have to make the difficult decision to sell the 23-year-old, who could be better off leaving his boyhood club for good this summer.