Arteta ready to let the midfielder leave (Picture: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Fulham have made Emile Smith Rowe their top summer transfer target with Arsenal ready to sell the attacking midfielder.
Smith Rowe broke into the Gunners side following loan spells at RB Leipzig and Huddersfield but has struggled for game time over the last two seasons.
Having also suffered knee and ankle injuries, the England international was limited to just three starting appearances in the Premier League last season, making a further 10 off the bench for Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing team.
Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for a number of fringe players this summer with Smith Rowe among them. The Daily Telegraph report Fulham are eager to bring him across the capital to Craven Cottage with Marco Silva eager to strengthen his attacking options.
Smith Rowe was previously targeted by Aston Villa with Chelsea making an offer for the 23-year-old last summer before eventually turning their attention to Cole Palmer.
His last start for the Gunners was the 2-0 win over Luton in April with Arteta singling him out for special praise following the win.
‘I was really impressed with him,’ Arteta said of Smith Rowe. ‘He has been training really well and we felt the game could suit us.
Smith Rowe up for sale (Picture: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
‘I love him as a player, it is a joy to watch how he moves and how he changes direction. He was physical today without the ball, he wanted to make things happen. It was difficult to stop him and he helped us a lot to win the game.
Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Tierney and Eddie Nketiah are also among the players who could be moved on this summer with Arteta looking to refresh his squad after narrowly missing out on the title.
Ramsdale lost his place in goal to David Raya during that campaign with Newcastle United interested in signing the England shot stopper.
However, the Magpies are not prepared to meet Arsenal’s £30m asking price.
Arsenal are hoping to bring in at least three new players in the coming months with Benjamin Sesko their top target up front.
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.