Aston Villa have received a second offer for Emile Smith Rowe worth £ 30 million rejected by Arsenal, who have not yet completed a new contract for the attacking midfielder.
The Midlands club had a first offer worth £ 25 million rejected earlier this month but have shown no signs of losing interest in the 20-year-old.
Smith Rowe scored two Premier League goals last season / Pool / Getty Images
There has been much discussion about whether Villa should return with a larger offer and they have done exactly that, but again their approach has been rejected.
According to David Ornstein, Dean Smith’s side increased their offer to £ 30 million, but the Gunners are convinced he is not for sale and will remain confident of retaining his services for many years to come.
Negotiations between Smith Rowe and Arsenal are underway regarding a new contract, although they have not yet found a breakthrough. Villa seem to be looking to take advantage of the current situation when they think of the life of Jack Grealish, who may retire this summer.
Villa have already signed Emiliano Buendia this summer, a player the Gunners were strongly linked with, but their interest in Smith Rowe shows they still want to add further creative talent to their squad and highlights the ambition of current owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
Smith Rowe is one of a number of promising young talents that Arsenal hope to build their team in the coming seasons, and although there is confidence in the club, the 20-year-old will commit his future to the Gunners after 2023, bids from Villa will come without hesitation to sweat by some fans.
The summer is expected to be a hectic one for Arsenal. Prominent first team figures such as Granit Xhaka have been linked to exits and 90 minutes revealed earlier in June that they are willing to spend up to £ 250 million on new players this summer.
Some of their esteemed goals include Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, with Brighton defender Ben White also believing they would come closer to a move to the Emirates.
Talks with Benfica over hill Nuno Tavares have also begun, although he is not expected to release Kieran Tierney from his starting spot at any time.
