Arsenal striker Emile Smith Rowe is expected to sign a new long-term contract with the club soon, handing over his future to the Gunners with a strong transfer interest from an ambitious Aston Villa.
Formerly a 17-year-old World Cup winner with England in 2017, Smith Rowe enjoyed a breakout season in Arsenal’s first team 2020/21 and made 33 appearances in all competitions.
He will not turn 21 until the end of this month, but Villa rejected bids of 25 million and 30 million in their attempt to strengthen and possibly skip Arsenal next season. Villa had already surpassed the Gunners in the race to sign Norwich star Emi Buendia.
There has recently been talk of a third Villa bid for Smith Rowe, which would probably have reached £ 35 million and exceeded the guaranteed fee in the club record Buendia deal. But Arsenal seem to be holding on to their young asset, who joined the academy at the age of 10.
Aston Villa has received several bids rejected for Smith Rowe / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
BirminghamLive describes a likely “hammer blow” to Villa’s hopes of closing a deal. Despite the chance to move to Villa Park in a big money transfer, Smith Rowe is now expected to agree on a five-year contract with Arsenal instead.
Final details still need to be ironed out, but the report adds that positive talks have “come in handy”.
From Arsenal’s perspective, journalist James Benge had added that the Gunners are “confident”.
Smith Rowe has just entered the last two years of his current contract with Arsenal. He signed that contract last summer when he had only made a handful of first team appearances and any new terms will also reflect his new position in the squad.
Although they have already signed Buendia and are hopeful of retaining Jack Grealish, Villa still want to land another attacking player before the new season begins. Aside from Smith Rowe, they have been linked with a £ 40m move to miss Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.
Villa are still hopeful of retaining Jack Grealish and signing another attacking player / Malcolm Couzens / Getty Images
Arsenal can meanwhile spend up to 250 million pounds this summer to rebuild a broken squad. The club hierarchy will sanction large expenses if goals are younger than 25, have the potential to develop and improve as players and will also increase in value in the future.
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