Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe is closing in on a move to Fulham this summer, which will see him depart his boyhood club permanently.
Smith Rowe has had a few loan spells elsewhere in his career, but did previously highlight his ambition to become a one-club man at Arsenal and retire as a legend.
However, things did not go as planned, as injuries and a loss of consistent game time stunted his progress. Smith Rowe now needs regular game time, and Fulham were eager to beat other clubs including Crystal Palace to his signature.
Fulham are well aware of what Smith Rowe is capable of at his best, given that he earned an England call-up when flying two seasons ago. In fact, they have been aware of him since before he even played under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
Emile Smith Rowe delivered masterclass vs Fulham when on loan away from Arsenal
In January 2020, Smith Rowe joined Championship side Huddersfield Town on loan, shortly after Arteta arrived at Arsenal.
It took just three games before he scored his first goal. Huddersfield were in 20th place as they headed to Craven Cottage to face Fulham, who were flying at the top of the league.
They looked down and out as they were 3-0 down after 31 minutes, but Smith Rowe then sprung into life as he tried to help Huddersfield mount the unlikeliest comeback.
Within just a few minutes, Smith Rowe pulled one back for his first Huddersfield goal, and almost immediately set up Steve Mounie to score. He had produced a goal and an assist, and his team were suddenly full of life, inspired by the teenager.
They could not find a third goal, but Fulham were given a surprising scare, and witnessed the remarkable talent of Smith Rowe in the flesh.
Emile Smith Rowe caught the eye in Championship loan
By the time Smith Rowe returned to Arsenal, he had made himself a well-known name in the Championship.
Overall, he scored twice and assisted three times in 19 games for a struggling side, but his second goal was iconic, as he netted a winner against West Brom, which saw Leeds United promoted for the first time in over a decade.
Fulham also went up to the Premier League that season, but they will have been well aware that Smith Rowe was quickly developing into a top-level talent in the Championship in those few months, and they now have the chance to harness his potential.
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