Aston Villa are preparing a THIRD bid for Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe after seeing their £30m offer rejected… as the Gunners continue talks to tie the talented 20-year-old down to a new long-term contract
- Aston Villa are continuing their pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe
- Dean Smith’s side are preparing a third bid for the 20-year-old playmaker
- Villa have seen two bids for midfielder Smith Rowe rejected already this summer
- Arsenal are attempting to tie their academy-grown player down to a new deal
Aston Villa are preparing a third offer for Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe despite the Gunners’ attempts to tie the 20-year-old to a new long-term contract.
Villa have made Smith Rowe their main transfer target despite already signing Emiliano Buendia from Norwich.
Villa have already had two offers rejected for Smith Rowe, the second worth about £30m, but have not given up hope of landing the England Under-21 international, who enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2020-21, making 33 appearances in all competitions.
Aston Villa are readying a third bid to test Arsenal’s resolve on midfielder Emile Smith Rowe
Boss Dean Smith has made the England Under-21 international a priority signing this summer
Villa’s ambitious owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are determined to improve the squad again this summer.
Boss Dean Smith wants to sign players with experience of the English game and as well as Buendia, Villa have brought back Ashley Young – a decade after he left the club for Manchester United – and shown a strong interest in Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.
The Midlands club first offered £25m for the attacking midfielder Smith Rowe last month. That was knocked back by Arsenal, who responded the same way when Villa returned with a higher offer worth £5m more.
Villa owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens have seen two bids rejected for the Arsenal player
The 20-year-old England youth international is entering the final two years of his current contract, and is reported to want lucrative new terms which will reflect his future standing in the Arsenal squad.
Villa are on a recruitment drive this summer and have already beaten Arsenal to Norwich playmaker Buendia.
Both clubs were in for the Argentine star, though Villa showed greater determination and wrapped up a deal worth in the region of £38m.
Smith Rowe enjoyed a breakout term at Arsenal and the Gunners are talking about a new deal
Smith Rowe joined Arsenal at the age of 10 and rose through the academy system in north London, before later undertaking spells on loan at RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town.
Last season the youngster was handed a chance in the Arsenal senior ranks, and made 33 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored four goals.
