Arsenal have reportedly named their demands to sell Emile Smith Rowe, there is now a new rumoured surprise involving the 23-year-old playmaker.
The England international has been strongly linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer, with Crystal Palace and Fulham reportedly interested in signing Smith Rowe, who this season didn’t feature must despite being fit for the majority of the campaign.
Impressing whenever he got the chance to play for Arsenal, it’s reasonable that Smith Rowe will be thinking about a move this summer, with the youngster clearly good enough to play regularly in the Premier League despite being a benchwarmer in north London.
Yet the attacking midfielder’s exit now isn’t as straightforward as first thought.
Smith Rowe could fight for Arsenal place as £25m asking price is set
According to Alan Nixon, Arsenal have set an asking price worth £25m on Smith Rowe this summer, though if an offer isn’t made, there’s every chance that the Hale End graduate could remain and fight for his place at the Emirates Stadium.
Given how unique a profile Smith Rowe is and how much Arsenal can do with an attacking midfielder like the 23-year-old, it makes sense why the England international staying with the Gunners could end up being a good decision.
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Indeed, Arsenal are already set to make some big money this summer in the form of selling Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson, with Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey also likely to depart north London in the coming weeks.
And if selling Smith Rowe isn’t a matter of finances, than keeping the youngster around and trying to reforge his career at Arsenal could be a smart decision for the Gunners, but only if Mikel Arteta actually decides to give the youngster minutes.
Arteta has to show he trusts Smith Rowe if he stays at Arsenal
Arteta is clearly a big fan of Smith Rowe, with the Arsenal playmaker arguably one of the most important players in regards to the Basque coach’s success in north London as manager.
And if Smith Rowe is to stay at Arsenal this summer, Arteta needs to show he actually trusts the 23-year-old with action, with the versatile attacking midfielder who can play a role at Arsenal next season if he doesn’t leave.
Smith Rowe has a talent few in the Arsenal squad have, and if Arteta can finally get the best out of it, the England international could become a real force for the Gunners again, having been off the boil for the past two years.