Arsenal reject Chelsea’s approach to Emile Smith Rowe as Gunners unwilling to sell England international to their London rivals
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Arsenal have beaten back an initial approach from Chelsea for Emile Smith Rowe.
Mauricio Pochettino is looking to add a striker to his ranks ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline and Smith Rowe is one of the names the Blues have inquired about.
However, Chelsea’s overtures were met with brief parsimony from Arsenal, who told their London rivals that they did not want to sell their England international to a team that are direct competitors.
Sources claim an offer well above market value could trick the Gunners into selling before Friday’s deadline.
But as things stand, the chances of that deal going through seem slim. Sources have indicated that Chelsea have shown a willingness to include players as a sweetener in any deal with Arsenal.
Arsenal have beaten back an initial approach from Chelsea for Emile Smith Rowe
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Smith Rowe’s future at the Emirates is unclear after a difficult 12 months, which have been plagued by injuries and a lack of first-team football.
The 23-year-old has not played a single minute in the Premier League for the Gunners this season.
He was of interest to West Ham earlier this summer and the striker could spark further interest in the closing days of the transfer window.
The Blues have already spent around £350 million this summer and a total of around £900 million under the leadership of chairman Todd Boehly, who has been spending big since his arrival in May 2022.
Despite all these additions, the west London side looks bright in the future.
And Pochettino clearly wants to strengthen offensively before Friday’s transfer deadline.
And as reported in Monday’s Transfer Confidential column Mailsport‘s transfer guru Simon Jones, Boehly, Pochettino and Co are weighing moves for Smith Rowe and Barcelona duo Raphinha and Ferran Torres.
Ferran Torres was often used as backup for star striker Robert Lewandowski at Camp Nou.
Mauricio Pochettino wants to add another attacker to his selection this week
But Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are reluctant to allow Smith Rowe to join their rivals
And Brazilian winger Raphinha, formerly of Leeds, has been dropped in recent weeks for 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal.
Meanwhile, Ian Maatsen’s decision on a new contract could affect Marc Cucurella’s departure from Stamford Bridge.
Cucurella is available for loan and Manchester United made inquiries on Saturday, but Chelsea may not be so sure whether Oranje international left-back Maatsen is not committed to a new contract.
The 21-year-old has been offered a long-term contract but is unsure of the terms and validity of signing it. Burnley, Borussia Dortmund and West Ham are all interested in Maatsen and can match or offer better terms.
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