Aston Villa reportedly remain interested in Emile Smith Rowe and are considering making a fresh move for the prodigious Arsenal playmaker.
According to a report by Express and Star, Emile Smith Rowe continues to be the subject of interest from Aston Villa over a potential move in the summer transfer window. The Premier League outfit have already failed with a £25 million bid for the Arsenal playmaker, with the Gunners eager to keep hold of the prodigious youngster.
Emile Smith Rowe joined the Arsenal academy as a ten-year-old in 2010 before subsequently making swift progress in their youth setup. The playmaker broke into the Gunners’ first-team squad in 2018 but had to wait till the 2020/21 season to make a true breakthrough in the senior side, following a couple of loan spells away from the Emirates.
The 20-year-old proved to be one of the revelations for Arsenal this past season, playing a key role in their positive displays from December onwards. And while his tally of four goals and seven assists in 33 first-team appearances might not seem to be impressive on the face of it, Smith Rowe ended up being one of Arsenal’s best players in a difficult campaign.
The English playmaker’s upwards trajectory in 2020/21 has invariably been noticed as well, with Aston Villa among his suitors, who are looking to pounce as the north Londoners scramble to tie him down to a long-term contract. The interest in the Arsenal prospect makes a great deal of sense as well.
Aston Villa have already bolstered their creative ranks by signing Emiliano Buendia, coincidentally a target for Arsenal. Dean Smith, though, is eager to add more creative midfielders to his squad to take the pressure and some of the responsibility off of captain Jack Grealish, with Burnley upstart Dwight McNeil on the Villans’ radar as well.
In addition, Villa are also in a precarious situation over the future of Grealish, who is being hotly pursued by Manchester City this summer. And in the scenario that the English international calls it quits at the club, signing two creative midfielders in the form of Buendia and Smith Rowe would be a step in the right direction.
To that end, Aston Villa are stepping up their efforts to swoop the 20-year-old from Arsenal, after having an offer worth £25 million being rejected by the Gunners, with a fresh approach being lined up. However, the Gunners are unwilling to part ways with Smith Rowe at any price.
Instead, the Premier League heavyweights are continuing their discussions with the prodigious playmaker over a new deal. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Villa can somehow land Smith Rowe or if he stays put at the Emirates.