Emile Smith Rowe has put Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle United on alert with the midfielder open to considering a transfer away from Arsenal in January.
That is according to 90min, which reports that Smith Rowe will weigh up leaving Arsenal this winter if Mikel Arteta is not forthcoming with minutes. The 23-year-old is concerned that he is not earning enough minutes this season to be in contention for England’s Euro 2024 team.
Smith Rowe enjoyed his senior England debut in November 2021 and has offered a goal plus an assist through three caps. But Gareth Southgate last included the Hale Ender in a team in March 2022. So, he will consider leaving Emirates Stadium for the games needed for a recall.
Aston Villa, Brighton and Newcastle monitor Smith Rowe’s situation
Arsenal have Smith Rowe under contract in north London until June 2026, so hold the cards should he target a transfer. But the youngster considering his future at Emirates Stadium has alerted Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle to Smith Rowe’s possible transfer.
Aston Villa have a long-standing interest in Smith Rowe’s transfer but Arsenal blocked them from a deal in June 2021. Under Dean Smith, the Villans offered bids worth £25m and £30m, per Sky Sports. Now, ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery could seek a reunion with him at Villa Park.
The Premier League rivals are watching Smith Rowe’s situation in north London ahead of the January sales. But Arsenal are also mulling possibly letting him to leave on loan, which could draw European interest in a playmaker Jamie Carragher has called ‘special’ and ‘so exciting’.
Smith Rowe gave a reminder as he considers a transfer from Arsenal
Southgate brought Smith Rowe through to the senior Three Lions fold amidst his sensational run of form in 2021/22. The Arsenal academy product struck 10 and assisted two goals in 33 Premier League games. He even scored eight over 12 games from September to December.
But injuries ruined his 2022/23 campaign and Arteta only afforded Smith Rowe 195 minutes through 14 appearances. Arteta has also been slow with offering chances this season. Smith Rowe got his first start since May 2022 when Arsenal beat Brentford 1-0 in the Carabao Cup.
The Gtech Community Stadium affair showed Smith Rowe at his best as he waltzed through Brentford. Yet the third-round match only took his minutes total for the season so far to 106 over four games. Arteta had only played Smith Rowe for 24 minutes before Wednesday’s tie.
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