Arsenal already have perfect Smith Rowe replacement to save millions

Emile Smith Rowe is gaining interest during the summer transfer window with the academy graduate’s future at the Emirates Stadium looking increasingly unsure.

Arsenal are reported to have turned down a bid from Fulham for the midfielder, but he has emerged as one of the Cottagers’ priority targets with Arsenal braced for a second bid. Fulham are not the only team interested with Crystal Palace also heavily linked with an interest in the player this summer.

Smith Rowe is someone who Arsenal could look to cash in on over the current window, given his struggles for regular game time over the season. The 23-year-old made just 13 Premier League appearances last season with most of those coming from the bench.

It is said that he could look for a move away from the Emirates Stadium in search for more game time. It is reported that Arsenal are looking for a fee of around £25 million if they are to part ways with the player this summer.

Despite not being a regular starter, Arsenal would still need to fill Smith Rowe’s place in the squad if he was to depart over the next few weeks. The Gunners have been linked with Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad, but he is said to cost around £20 million, which will take most of the money made on Smith Rowe.

Another option for Arsenal is to promote one of the development squad players into the first team to provide competition in the area for the upcoming season. One candidate is Ethan Nwaneri.

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The 17-year-old was a regular in Arenal’s development squad last season, scoring 10 goals in 13 Premier League 2 appearances. His performances saw him called up to the first team squad for both Premier League matches against West Ham, with the teenager making his debut in the 6-0 away win in February.

He will be hoping to secure a place in Mikel Arteta’s squad for next week’s pre-season tour of the US, where he can then catch the eye ahead of the new season. He scored in the U21s 4-1 win over Boreham Wood on Saturday.

If Nawaneri does make an impression over the next few weeks then he could potentially be promoted to the first team squad as Smith Rowe’s replacement. That would then mean that Arsenal can use any money they get from a sale to strengthen other areas of the team.