Emile Smith Rowe ‘set to sign new five-year deal and commit his future to Arsenal’ in blow to Aston Villa’s transfer plans… with Dean Smith’s side already having two bids for the 20-year-old midfielder rejected
- Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly close to agreeing a new contract at Arsenal
- He has been linked with a move away but a five-year deal now seems likely
- Aston Villa have had two bids for the 20-year-old midfielder turned down already
- Smith Rowe strongly impressed throughout the second half of last season
Aston Villa’s pursuit of Emile Smith Rowe looks set to end in failure with the Arsenal midfielder reportedly on the verge of agreeing a new five-year deal in north London.
The 20-year-old was given a run in the first-team by Mikel Arteta midway through last season and made an impressive impact, finishing the season alongside Bukayo Saka as one of Arsenal’s best players in a disappointing campaign for the club.
Those performances have put him on the radar of other clubs, especially with his contract expiring in 2023 and his long-term future at Arsenal uncertain.
Emile Smith Rowe is believed to be close to signing a new five-year deal to stay at Arsenal
The news will be a blow to Aston Villa, who have had two bids for the midfielder rejected
That led Aston Villa to bid £25m for Smith Rowe, before returning with a £30m offer earlier this month. Both were swiftly rejected by the Gunners.
And Dean Smith will almost certainly have to find a new target, with CBS Sports’ James Benge reporting Arsenal are increasingly confident Smith Rowe they will be able to tie their man down to a long-term deal.
While the five-year contract is yet to be agreed and details are still to be finalised, it looks likely the midfielder will remain at the Emirates.
Smith Rowe returned to Arsenal for the start of pre-season this week, ahead of Arteta’s side facing Hibernian on Tuesday to kick their preparations off.
They will then face Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side, before playing Inter Milan in the Florida Cup later in July.
The 20-year-old was a regular under Mikel Arteta for much of the second half of last season
Aston Villa will have to elsewhere if they are to bolster their options in attacking midfield, though have already made a big move in the transfer market after signing Emiliano Buendia from Norwich for a club-record fee of £33m.
The 24-year-old will join the likes of Ollie Watkins and John McGinn in returning to the club for pre-season next week.
According to BirminghamLive, Villa may look to make a move for Burnley’s John McGinn with Smith Rowe off the table, though the Clarets are likely to want more than £40m to part ways with the winger.
It’s also believed the club are looking to add a centre back before the window shuts later this summer.
The future of Jack Grealish is still yet to be decided, with Manchester City reportedly keen on a big-money move, but that will be discussed after the Euros.
Aston Villa have already signed Emiliano Buendia from Norwich for a club-record fee of £33m
