So it looks like Arsenal star Emile Smith-Rowe could be signed by West Ham United for a very reasonable fee this summer.
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is determined to strengthen his ranks at the London Stadium this summer, and Emile Smith-Rowe could well be a target for the Spaniard.
In fact, David Moyes tried to take him to the Hammers last summer, but he ended up staying in north London.
This summer, Lopetegui will certainly be on the lookout for a right-footed left winger, while Saïd Benrahma is edging closer to a permanent move to Lyon.
The beauty of Smith-Rowe is that he can play in this position, as well as number 10, outside the right wing or even a little further out.
He’s a jack of all trades and an exceptionally talented one at that, so you could be forgiven for thinking he would be a great signing for West Ham.
I don’t really have that opinion, but if he was guaranteed to play 40 games per season, my opinion would change significantly.
So with the Hammers chasing ESR, could he actually move to the London Stadium this summer?
West Ham could sign Arsenal star Emile Smith-Rowe for just £25m The Hammers could want to sign him, but there’s been a huge and unexpected twist Claims by Gunner for the Hale End academy graduate is just this day.
According to a report from The Sun, Arsenal are ready to sell Emile Smith-Rowe for £25m this summer.
West Ham were reportedly closely linked to the Gunners’ decision to sign the 24-year-old earlier this month, with the north London side demanding £30m for him at the time.
They have now reduced those demands, but the problem is that Smith-Rowe doesn’t really want to leave the Emirates, but instead wants to stay and fight for his place under Mikel Arteta.
This is quite a surprising position considering he played very little football last season.
I can’t believe he’ll stay at Arsenal, when north London are clearly desperate to sell him.
He has undeniable abilities and possesses outstanding technique.
As mentioned earlier, Smith-Rowe can play across the entire front line or even as part of a three-man central midfield.
The 23-year-old has impressive pace and has proven with the Gunners that he can make a difference at Premier League level.
However, I don’t think we should go near the Arsenal player.
His recent fall from grace was perhaps best described by The Guardian, who said the 23-year-old had become something of a “mystery in his own right”.
He has missed 132 matches for club and country due to injury since the start of the 2018 season (Transfermarkt).
That clearly isn’t enough, and even if Arsenal only ask for £25m for Emile Smith-Rowe, West Ham are still expected to focus on other transfer targets this summer.
