Emile Smith Rowe might be denied the chance to reunite with one Arsenal player at Fulham.
The 25-year-old broke many fans’ hearts when he left Arsenal to sign for Fulham during the summer of 2024.
After Smith Rowe’s impressive season under Mikel Arteta in 2021/22, it looked as though the Englishman’s future at Arsenal was set in stone.
It later became evident that things weren’t going to work for the Arsenal academy graduate in North London, seeing him reluctantly move on to Fulham.
Fulham eye Reiss Nelson alternative
While leaving his boyhood club was daunting, Smith Rowe would’ve seen Fulham as a home from home.
Several former Arsenal players represent Fulham, with Marco Silva’s side bolstered last season by acquiring Reiss Nelson on loan.
Smith Rowe was delighted when Nelson signed for Fulham, but the winger’s time at Craven Cottage was disrupted by injury.
There was, however, reason for Smith Rowe to get excited again, as Nelson was linked with a return to Fulham this summer, but now, a deal looks unlikely to happen.
As the Standard has reported, the Cottagers have launched a club-record bid for Shakhtar Donetsk winger, Kevin.
It’s understood that the Brazilian is now Fulham’s top target to strengthen their options in wide areas, despite the club ‘progressing in negotiations’ with Arsenal prior to the offer.
Smith Rowe will be disappointed to learn that the chance to reunite with his former teammate has passed, a situation the Gunners will also deem unfortunate.
Fulham’s Nelson snub is bad news for Arsenal
Arsenal wanted to loan Nelson to Fulham with an option to buy, but now, a move looks unlikely.
Dealing with a financially backed Premier League club wouldn’t have only been good for Arsenal’s finances, but for Nelson, too, who needs a Premier League opportunity.
The news of Fulham changing their priority target is a double blow for those at the Emirates, as it denies Nelson a strong opportunity and, all-but rules out the likelihood of the Cottagers spending big on another winger.
Arsenal will look to offload the Hale End product this summer, preferably on a permanent basis, with his sale representing a pure-profit transaction.
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