Sources: West Ham now want in-demand Arsenal star in loan transfer

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

West Ham United are now showing an interest in signing the in-demand Arsenal gem Emile Smith Rowe on loan in the January transfer market, HITC Football understands.

The 23-year-old has endured another injury-hit season at Emirates Stadium so far this term. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has only started Smith Rowe in two of his 12 appearances across all competitions. Just one of his starting roles yet has also been in a Premier League fixture.

So, Smith Rowe is now looking to secure more regular first-team minutes for the rest of the season and West Ham are prepared to take him on loan. But the Irons will face rival interest from other top-flight teams. Aston Villa have also attempted to sign Smith Rowe previously.

West Ham are interested in Smith Rowe’s loan transfer from Arsenal

Arteta awarded Smith Rowe his only start of the Premier League campaign to date at home to Sheffield United in October. But while the three-cap England playmaker laid on one assist in the Gunners’ 5-0 rout, he then sustained a knee injury and did not return until December.

Smith Rowe also started in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup third round in September. He and the north London club would have hoped the tie marked a fresh start after playing just 14 games last term. Smith Rowe missed most of the season through injury.

A groin injury helped to hold the Arsenal academy product to only 195 minutes through his appearances in all competitions last season. Further fitness problems have also now helped to restrict Smith Rowe to 245 minutes this season, with 116 coming in the Premier League.

Smith Rowe showed his ‘special’ talent with 10 goals in 2021/22

West Ham are now interested in signing Smith Rowe on loan, if Arsenal agree to sanction his transfer, though. The Irons hope the Hale End gem can help boost their creativity with David Moyes’ side scoring 33 goals in 20 Premier League games this term – the ninth-best record.

Smith Rowe showed he can deliver a tremendous threat in the final third across the 2021/22 season for Arsenal. The 23-year-old scored 10 and assisted two goals in 33 top-flight games of which he started in 21. Jamie Carragher also called Smith Rowe ‘special’ in October 2021.

But Arteta might frustrate West Ham’s interest as the Arsenal manager appears unwilling to sanction a loan transfer for Smith Rowe. The Spaniard has said that he is ‘really happy’ with the midfielder and it is his duty to give the maestro more minutes as his recovery continues.

“I’m really happy with Emile,” Arteta said, via football.london. “He’s in the right trajectory. He’s settled really well and you know I’m not going to talk about individual situations.

“[Since his injury, I have seen] no changes – Emile is Emile. We’re really happy to have him. He needs chances. What we have to do is give him minutes.”