Arsenal transfer news as Fabrizio Romano shares Emile Smith Rowe update after West Ham United approach
Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal are not looking to offload Emile Smith Rowe on loan this month amid recent interest from West Ham.
The transfer expert reported via Twitter on Saturday (20 January) that West Ham’s initial approach for Smith Rowe had been knocked back.
In a further update on his Daily Briefing blog on Tuesday (23 January), Romano reported that United no longer appear to be interested.
“It’s a concrete possibility to see Emile Smith Rowe approached by clubs before the end of January,” Romano said.
“My feeling is that it is going to be complicated for him to leave because Arsenal are only open to a permanent transfer for the right price.
“A loan makes no sense, and also Mikel Arteta is very happy with the player and he’s happy at Arsenal.
“If they receive an important proposal it could be a possibility but otherwise I see him staying at Arsenal in this transfer window.
“We know West Ham previously showed an interest in signing Smith Rowe on loan, but now there is nothing happening there and they’re focusing on Kalvin Phillips, with that deal progressing.”
Move on
With a deal for Manchester City ace Kalvin Phillips surely all but concluded, it makes absolutely no sense to also bring in Smith Rowe on loan.
Of the two, even if he has barely played over the past 18 months, Phillips is the player who will improve United’s squad the most.
Smith Rowe is a talented player, but Arsenal would only be interested in a permanent exit and that does not suit the Irons right now.
West Ham’s focus will instead now shift away from midfield and more towards bringing in a new centre-forward over the next week or so.
If Tim Steidten and Co can manage that, this would have been a superb window from the Hammers’ perspective.
January is not for major squad surgery, but rather enhancing what you already have.
Smith Rowe would have been a good addition, but Phillips – assuming it gets concluded – is an even better loan signing.
In other West Ham news, a Sky Sports pundit was blown away by what he saw a United player do at the weekend.
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