Mikel Arteta is keen to keep Emile Smith Rowe at Arsenal this summer following interest from Fulham and Crystal Palace, according to reports.
Arsenal have already turned down offers from Fulham and Palace this month but both clubs are expected to return with improved bids.
Fulham’s latest bid of £30 million was rejected by Arsenal, while Palace set to submit a proposal worth £35m plus add-ons for the 23-year-old.
Arsenal face a tough decision over Smith Rowe’s sale as the midfielder has shown plenty of potential since his first-team breakthrough in 2018 but struggled to secure a regular role under Arteta last season.
But despite his lack of minutes for Arsenal, The Guardian reports that Arteta does not want to see Smith Rowe leave the Gunners this summer.
Smith Rowe was restricted to just 14 appearances in the 2022/23 campaign due to a groin injury, while last season, he started just three games in the Premier League. Over the last two seasons, he has played a combined total of 508 minutes in the top flight.
The midfielder is now looking to play regularly, while his sale would represent a major boost to Arsenal’s Profit and Sustainability margins given that the sale of academy players as registered as pure profit in the club’s accounts.
Speaking last month, former Arsenal captain Tony Adams described Smith Rowe’s progression as ‘stagnant and suggested the midfielder should look to leave this summer.
‘When you have the games won, it’s 2-0 after 70 minutes, get him [Bukayo Saka] off. Get Smith Rowe on to develop him,’ Adams told Sky Sports.
‘I think they have gone a bit stagnant.
‘Both [Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah], if I was them, I would be looking to move. Arteta needs to work with them and give them more time. But that depends if we get another centre forward.
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