Emile Smith Rowe was spotted in London after completing his Fulham medical earlier today, ahead of his expected transfer from Arsenal.
Emile Smith Rowe was spotted in London after completing his Fulham medical earlier today, ahead of his expected transfer from Arsenal.
The 24-year-old has been a peripheral figure for the Gunners over the past two years and decided to seek a new challenge leading up to the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The midfielder departed from Arsenal’s pre-season tour in the United States on Monday to complete his medical with the Cottagers, and a formal announcement of his signing is expected to be made imminently.
Smith Rowe came through the youth ranks at Arsenal and was sent on loans to RB Leipzig and Huddersfield before breaking into the Gunners’ first team in 2020.
He has made a total of 115 appearances, scoring 18 goals and providing 13 assists for Arsenal, while he also earned three England caps during his time at the Emirates Stadium.
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Smith Rowe seen leaving Fulham medical in London
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth posted a video on social media earlier today showing the 24-year-old leaving his Fulham medical in London alongside his representative Jordan Wise.
Sheth added that final paperwork is expected to be completed imminently and the player will then be flown out to Portugal to join his new team at their pre-season training camp.
Smith Rowe could make his debut for his new employers within the next week, with Fulham set to face Benfica this Friday and Sevilla next Monday.
It is understood that Fulham and Arsenal have agreed to a deal that will cost the Cottagers around £27m upfront, plus an additional £7m in add-ons.
The 24-year-old saw just 346 minutes of Premier League playing time last season and his last Arsenal goal came in April 2022.
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More business expected at the Emirates this summer
Given that Smith Rowe came through the Arsenal academy, his transfer fee will represent pure profit, which Arsenal are likely to use to find a suitable replacement for him.
Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino is Mikel Arteta‘s primary target, and the Gunners are believed to have already agreed on personal terms for a four-year contract with the Spaniard.
Merino is open to a move to North London this summer and Arsenal are reportedly likely to negotiate payment terms with the La Liga outfit for the 28-year-old Euro 2024 winner in the coming days.
If Arteta’s side are able to complete a deal for Merino, it would be the clubs third acquisition this summer, following the permanent signing of David Raya from Brentford and Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
The Gunners are also said to be keeping tabs on Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane, who worked with Arteta during their time at Manchester City.