Fabrizio Romano: ‘Big’ West Ham United bid for Emile Smith Rowe could force Arsenal transfer U-turn
Arsenal have rejected an approach from West Ham to take Emile Smith Rowe on loan after concrete talks on Thursday, but a big offer could tempt them into a change of stance, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The respected journalist reported via his Daily Briefing [21 January] that a loan deal would make no sense for Arsenal to do, but due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, a big-money deal could make a difference.
However, he does clarify that Smith Rowe is happy at Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta is happy to keep him, so a January exit for the 23-year-old may be off the cards.
Don’t waste time on the deal
With this move looking increasingly unlikely to happen this month, it’s important that the Hammers don’t spend too much time trying to convince Arsenal to do a deal and move on to other targets instead.
There is just over a week left of the transfer window, with West Ham needing to bring in reinforcements to their depleted squad, so wasting time negotiating over a deal that is never going to happen is taking their attention away from other targets.
Smith Rowe would be an excellent addition to David Moyes’ team, but if Arteta wants to keep him at Arsenal and he wants to stay and fight for his place, what use is there begging him to make the move to East London?
It’s time to move on to targets who actually want to play for West Ham, and those in more important positions than Smith Rowe plays, with a new striker desperately needed at the London Stadium, especially with Michail Antonio’s recent injury issues.
In other West Ham news, the club are readying a £45million bid.
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