Fabrizio Romano details how West Ham United could still secure Emile Smith Rowe January transfer
There is still a “concrete possibility” that Emile Smith Rowe could leave Arsenal in the January transfer window amid interest from West Ham in signing him, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on the Caught Offside YouTube channel on Tuesday (23 January), the Italian journalist said the Hammers tried to secure a straight loan deal for the England international last week, but that a temporary transfer makes “no sense” for the Gunners.
He added that the North London club could change their mind on the 23-year-old attacking midfielder if they receive an “important proposal or permanent transfer” as financial fair play and the opportunity to bring in a new signing could tempt them into selling.
“Yes, this is a concrete possibility to see Emile Smith Rowe being approached by clubs in the next days and weeks because it already happened last week with West Ham,” said Romano. “For example, West Ham tried to make a deal happen on loan for Smith Rowe, not even a buy-option clause included and Arsenal are never going to accept that.
“For Arsenal, it makes no sense to let the player leave on loan. So my feeling is that, at the end, it’s going to be complicated for Smith Rowe to leave in the January transfer window because Arsenal would only be open to a permanent transfer.
“It’s also about the financial fair play. If you sell a player like Smith Rowe, you can have maybe space to bring in a new, important player for your squad. If you send him on loan, it makes no sense. Mikel Arteta is also happy with the player, so they’re not desperate to let him go and he’s also very happy at Arsenal.
“If they receive an important proposal or permanent transfer, that could be a possibility, otherwise, I see Smith Rowe staying at Arsenal.”
Test the water
It could definitely be worth West Ham testing the water over a permanent transfer as Smith Rowe would be an excellent signing for the club.
The main issue, however, is how much money the Hammers have to play with before they could be toeing the FFP line and that’s certainly something they will want to avoid.
Perhaps they could look to secure a similar deal to the one that they are trying to get over the line for Kalvin Phillips, where they offer a sizeable loan fee and pay all of his wages.
But as much as the Irons fans would like to see the attacking midfielder make the switch to East London, it feels as though no one on Arsenal’s side is too keen on negotiating over a deal.
That situation could change ahead of the summer transfer window if his opportunities don’t improve at the Emirates Stadium, so it may be a situation to keep an eye on down the line.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are set to announce a new behind-the-scenes appointment.
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