ASTON VILLA MAKE CONTACT OVER SIGNING ARSENAL PLAYMAKER
Aston Villa have asked about signing Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe on loan ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.
Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe is receiving interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle United in the final days of the transfer window
That is according to 90Min, who claim that Arsenal have rejected an approach from Chelsea for Smith Rowe.
The Blues were seemingly seeking to buy Smith Rowe and Arsenal just aren’t interested – especially to a big London rival.
Arsenal are also receiving loan interest though with Aston Villa and Newcastle United understood to have made contact over potential loan deals.
Mikel Arteta and co still aren’t playing ball though and want to keep hold of Smith Rowe beyond the deadline.
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Smith Rowe is at least interested in leaving Arsenal though as he wants first-team football away from the Emirates Stadium.
The 23-year-old hasn’t played at all in the Premier League this season and didn’t make a single league start last term.
Smith Rowe risks a similar situation this season and he understandably wouldn’t mind leaving Arsenal to play regularly.
Unai Emery misses out on one Arsenal player but wants another in Emile Smith Rowe
Aston Villa had been looking at another Arsenal player in recent times.
Reports from iNews last week suggested that Villa were exploring a deal to sign left back Nuno Tavares.
Alex Moreno is injured and Lucas Digne continues to be linked away from the club, so Villa were seemingly looking at another left back option.
Tavares was wanted after a move to Nottingham Forest broke down, but that deal is back on.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Forest have now agreed to take Tavares on loan with an option to buy for around £12million.
Tavares is off the table for Villa but Unai Emery could now raid his former club with a deal for Smith Rowe.
We can understand Arsenal wanting to keep a top talent like Smith Rowe but it’s not doing him or his value any good to be sat on the bench all the time.
A season out on loan could help Smith Rowe recapture his form and fitness, benefiting all moving forward – and sending him to a team with European football like Villa should appeal.
