Is time to say Goodbye to Emirate’: Emile Smith Rowe finally broke down in tears during His emotional farewell message to fans as He is set to join LONDON rivals in the coming hours – Agreement reached already
Arsenal and West Ham are reportedly in discussions over a loan deal for Emile Smith Rowe. The 23-year-old could move across London for the remainder of the season, having been used sparingly by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta over the past 18 months.
Smith Rowe broke into the Arsenal first-team as a particularly promising academy graduate in 2018. His influence continued to grow until a superb 2021/22 campaign saw him notch 10 Premier League goals.
Staggeringly, he has not scored a single one since, with a succession of injury problems hampering his progress. Smith Rowe has managed just 118 minutes of Premier League action this term amid fierce competition for minutes in midfield and out wide.
West Ham boss David Moyes is reportedly looking to pounce. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Hammers are discussing a possible six-month loan deal with their cross-city rivals.
Arsenal are under little pressure to offload Smith Rowe, given that he still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract. Furthermore, Arteta has shown a reluctance to part with fringe players this January as he prepares for a demanding title race run-in.
It remains to be seen whether West Ham are able to convince the Gunners that a deal could benefit all parties – not least Smith Rowe himself, who has been feeding off scraps all campaign.
The 23-year-old, who can play in midfield or out wide, was in the senior England picture between 2021 and 2022, scoring once in three appearances under Gareth Southgate. But he has significant ground to make up if he is to push for inclusion in the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 squad.
Smith Rowe has been on Arsenal’s books for the last 14 years, with his only two spells away from the Emirates Stadium coming on loan at RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town.
If the deal progresses, West Ham may look to use Smith Rowe immediately due to their long injury list. Lucas Paqueta faces months on the sidelines, Jarrod Bowen is battling ankle issues and Mohammed Kudus is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The last time Smith Rowe managed more than 11 minutes of action in one game came all the way back in October, when he notched an assist in the 5-0 win over Sheffield United.
