“TRANSFER TUSSLE: Arsenal Fans Warn Edu Against Selling Star Player Despite Lucrative Offers from Bayern Munich and Barcelona”

Fulham are reportedly gearing up to make an early summer bid for Emile Smith Rowe, the 23-year-old Arsenal attacker, who might be leaving the Gunners due to limited playing time. Injuries and the impressive form of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have relegated Smith Rowe to a marginal role under Mikel Arteta.

Smith Rowe’s rise to regular first-team action in the latter half of the 2020-21 season was a bright spot for Arsenal during a challenging period. He scored 10 Premier League goals the following season. However, the last two years have been disappointing for the Englishman, with just two assists in 19 games last season and only three Premier League starts.

His breakthrough at Arsenal earned him a spot in the England squad, but he is now out of the Three Lions’ selection, not making the preliminary squad for Euro 2024.

Fulham have identified Smith Rowe as a primary target and are planning to make an early bid for him in the upcoming transfer window. Despite being under contract with Arsenal for another two years, Smith Rowe’s representatives are expected to discuss his future with the club soon.

The Telegraph reports that Fulham is interested in the European Under-21 champion, making him a transfer priority. The Cottagers might lose two of their wide options this summer, with Willian and Bobby Decordova-Reid both out of contract.

Willian is considering offers from the Saudi Pro League, while Fulham has proposed a new deal to Decordova-Reid, but his acceptance is uncertain. Consequently, Fulham’s manager Marco Silva is targeting new wingers for the 2024-25 season.

Smith Rowe, who joined Arsenal’s academy in 2010, has scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists in 115 matches for the Gunners. He also had loan spells at Huddersfield Town and RB Leipzig.

For Arsenal, selling Smith Rowe this summer makes sense from a business perspective. His departure would count as pure profit, helping Arsenal comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. Despite his injury issues, Arsenal could realistically ask for at least £20 million for the home-grown player.

With Trossard and Martinelli competing for the left-wing position and Declan Rice excelling in the left number eight role, there is no longer a place for Smith Rowe in Arteta’s plans. While it is painful for Arsenal fans to see an academy graduate struggle, it seems the right time for the injury-prone attacker to move on.