Arsenal make U-TURN on Smith Rowe to Chelsea transfer
Tom Weber
- 29 Aug 2023 16:39 BST
- 4 min read
Arsenal have knocked back Chelsea's initial approach for Emile Smith Rowe, according to a report.
The out-of-favour Gunners attacker has been linked with a surprise move to Stamford Bridge in recent days. Chelsea are still in the market for another offensive player who can create as well as score and, as such, have been inquiring about several potential options.
After dashing their own hopes of signing Bradley Barcola by loaning Andrey Santos - whom Lyon wanted in return - to Nottingham Forest and by not entertaining a move for Forest's Brennan Johnson, the Blues have seemingly homed in on Smith Rowe, who has struggled to recapture the stunning form he initially showed under Mikel Arteta.
READ: Chelsea plan to raise £100m with DOUBLE sale
Persistent fitness issues meant that the 23-year-old played basically no part in Arsenal's surprise title challenge last season, but there was hope that he could feature prominently again this term despite the signing of Kai Havertz. Smith Rowe starred at the U21 Euros earlier in the summer despite being somewhat thrown into the deep end after his injury.
Since then, however, things haven't panned out as expected as the attacker - whom Mikel Arteta reportedly wants to convert into a central midfielder - has not yet featured in the Premier League for the Gunners.
Arsenal's U-turn
Perhaps given that it seems unlikely that Smith Rowe has a future at the Emirates, The Times reported earlier today that Arsenal were willing to let the 23-year-old leave for Chelsea, but the Daily Mail now asserts the exact opposite.
It is claimed that the Gunners have rebuffed the Blues' approach for the young Englishman and that they have no intention of allowing him to join a direct rival this late in the window.
READ: Chelsea in 'ENCOURAGING' talks over star transfer
The report states that: "Sources claim that an offer way above market value may tempt the Gunners into selling before Friday’s deadline. But as things stand, there appears to be minimal chance of that deal taking place."
