Mikel Arteta provides key Emile Smith Rowe update as Fulham up bid to £35 million

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Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the future of Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, who has been linked with a move away from the club.

Arsenal have been frustrated in the transfer market with the club failing to sign a new striker or indeed a new midfielder.

However, the Gunners are closing in on their first major signing of the summer with sources confirming to HITC that Arsenal have reached a full agreement for the signing of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.

Whilst incomings will be key, outgoings will also be important if the Gunners want to strengthen their team further this summer.

Arteta provides Smith Rowe update

Emile Smith Rowe struggled to break into the Arsenal first team last season with Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli starting ahead of the academy graduate.

The 23-year-old didn’t feature in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth in Los Angeles despite every outfield player having been substituted in the match.

Speaking after the draw against the Cherries, Mikel Arteta was asked why the midfielder didn’t feature in the pre-season game.

“Yeah there are things happening in the background at the moment,” Arteta told Football.London. “We decided the best thing to do was to keep him away from the game today.”

Arteta chose to field a youthful side with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis Skelly handed a start and seemingly impressing out in Los Angeles.

Smith Rowe was in their shoes once but it now looks as if a move away from the Emirates Stadium is a real possibility.

The latest on Smith Rowe’s future amid Fulham bid

Sources have told HITC that London clubs Fulham and Crystal Palace are still competing for the English midfielder.

However, Marco Silva’s Fulham are understood to have increased their offer for the 23-year-old to £35 million, which we reported was Arsenal’s asking price.

Palace are yet to reach that level of money that Fulham have put on the table for Smith Rowe and as it stands, the Cottagers are favourites for the signing of the Englishman.