Emile Smith Rowe 'to leave Arsenal' after $45m transfer reluctantly agreed

Arsenal is prepared to let Emile Smith Rowe depart this summer, having agreed a £35 million ($45.2 million) transfer fee with Fulham.

Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta was eager to retain the attacking midfielder, 23, but it appears his time at the Emirates Stadium is up. Smith Rowe has emerged as one of the shining stars from Arsenal's academy , earning a spot in the England squad and netting 10 Premier League goals during the 2021-22 season. However, his chances have been somewhat limited since then.

He's only made 33 appearances over the past two seasons, with just four of those being starts. His most recent outing for the England senior team was in March 2022, and he was not selected for Gareth Southgate's squad for the World Cup in Qatar or Euro 2024 .

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Arsenal rebuffed interest from Aston Villa in 2021, but now Fulham has come calling. According to The Athletic , Fulham has agreed a transfer fee with the Gunners after seeing its initial offer of £30 million ($38.7 million) rejected. Crystal Palace was also interested in Smith Rowe before Fulham agreed a fee with Arsenal. The player still needs to agree personal terms and complete a medical.

Smith Rowe was not high on Arteta's list of players to offload. Arsenal is anticipated to see several arrivals and departures this summer, though David Raya - who spent last season on loan in North London - is the only confirmed senior permanent signing.

Riccardo Calafiori is expected to sign from Bologna, while the Gunners might still bolster their midfield and/or attack. Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad is among those rumored, but there could be more additions on the horizon.

Other players who could leave Arsenal this summer including West Ham target Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah, who is on Marseille's transfer radar. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior have also been linked with exits, as Arsenal eye Italy defender Calafiori.

Liverpool.com says: Smith Rowe is a very exciting young player, but there's no point of him staying at Arsenal if Arteta isn't going to play him. It's time for him to move on.