Premier League club reach agreement to sign Arsenal star in club record deal; medical booked: Reports
Fulham have reportedly reached an agreement with Arsenal to sign Emile Smith Rowe. The English attacker will become the Cottagers' club record signing.
Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth reports that the Cottagers are set to pay £34 million (£27 million plus £7 million in add-ons) for Smith Rowe. He's set to undergo a medical this week, and personal terms have already been agreed. The north London giants initially turned down a £30 million offer from Fulham for Smith Rowe earlier in the summer transfer window.
Smith Rowe, 24, lacked first-team opportunities under Mikel Arteta last season. He started just four of 19 games across competitions and was constantly on Arsenal's bench.
The three-cap England international was tipped to become a future superstar at the Emirates when he broke onto the scene in July 2018. Injuries have taken their toll, and he's slipped further down Arteta's pecking order.
Smith Rowe missed the Gunners' 2-1 win against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly on Sunday (July 28). That decision came amid negotiations over a move to Craven Cottage.
Arsenal won't be recouping the biggest fee for a player in their history. The record still stands with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's £35 million move to Liverpool eight years ago.
Emile Smith Rowe's sale now opens the door for Arsenal to sign Mikel Merino: Reports
Smith Rowe's sale paves the way for Arsenal to seal the signing of Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino. The Real Sociedad man is on Arteta's wishlist, and a move is increasingly likely.
FootballTransfers reports that the Gunners needed to sell Smith Rowe to make a concrete swoop for Merino. The 28-year-old has his heart set on a move to the Emirates, and personal terms have already been agreed.
Arsenal wants to complete a deal quickly for Merino, while Sociedad hopes other clubs will take an interest in helping increase his value. He was a mainstay in Imanol Alguacil's side last season, appearing 45 times across competitions, posting eight goals and five assists.
Merino was part of Spain's side, which won Euro 2024 in Germany earlier this month. He appeared in all seven of La Roja's games, scoring the winner in a 2-1 win against the hosts in the quarterfinals.
The 28-cap Spain international has Premier League experience, having previously played for Newcastle United. He has a year left on his contract at Reale Arena, so a cut-price deal is a possibility.