Arsenal 'name asking price' for Emile Smith Rowe as Fulham and Crystal Palace circle

Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe is being linked with a move away from the club this summer after his struggles for game time over recent times. The 23-year-old was once the next big thing at the Emirates Stadium, but with Mikel Arteta strengthening his squad significantly over recent years, that has quickly changed.

Smith Rowe had a couple of injury issues last season, but he made just three league starts, spending 18 games on the bench as an unused substitute. With the Gunners expected to strengthen again this summer, it looks as though Smith Rowe will call time on his time at the Emirates Stadium, especially with Arsenal needing to balance the books to stay in line with Profit and Sustainability rules.

There has already been plenty of speculation over Smith Rowe’s future this summer, and there is reported interest from Arsenal’s Premier League rivals in Fulham, in particular. According to Sky Sports, a number of Premier League clubs have shown an interest in the midfielder, but Fulham are set to ramp up their distance in a bid to get ahead in the race.

Crystal Palace are also said to be interested, while Arsenal reportedly want £25million to commission a sale. That would be a welcome windfall for Edu and Arteta as they look to make space for more signings this summer. There have been reports recently that Smith Rowe has decided to move on from the Gunners in a bid to land regular football.

The 23-year-old will have ambitions to represent England again in the future having already racked up three senior appearances, and his current game time is not going to allow him to do that. A deal of some sort looks set to be struck this summer, and Arsenal will want to bring in a transfer fee over a loan deal. The attacking midfielder is currently under contract until 2026 having penned his most recent extension back in 2021.

What has Smith Rowe said?

Smith Rowe hasn’t spoken much about his future recently, but he said back in December amid exit links: “Being at a massive club like Arsenal we know there is so much competition. It is always going to be challenging, it is always going to be difficult to cement your place in the team.

“I think it is just an extra push for me to keep working hard, keep fighting - and hard work pays off. I have just got to keep believing in myself.”

What has Arteta said about Smith Rowe?

Amid those transfer links in the winter, Arteta said: “I’m really happy with Emile. He’s in the right trajectory. Now, he’s settled, he’s training really well and you know I’m not going to talk about individual situations.

“Emile is Emile. We know he’s got incredible qualities and we’re really happy to have him. What he needs now is chances to put all the desire and quality that he has on the pitch. In order to do that we have to give him minutes.”