In a surprising turn of events, Arsenal has agreed to sell young midfielder Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham. The 22-year-old has been a promising talent for the Gunners, but it seems that manager Mikel Arteta has decided to cash in on the player.
Smith Rowe has been with Arsenal since he was a child, coming up through the youth ranks and making his first-team debut in 2018. He has shown flashes of brilliance in his time at the club, but has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the starting lineup.
Fulham, who were recently relegated from the Premier League, see Smith Rowe as a key addition to their squad as they look to bounce back to the top flight at the first time of asking. The London club has reportedly agreed to pay a fee of around £20 million for the midfielder, a significant sum for a player of his age and experience.
Arsenal fans may be disappointed to see Smith Rowe leave the club, but it seems that Arteta is keen to reshape his squad ahead of the new season. The Gunners have already brought in several new signings this summer, and it appears that more changes could be on the way.
It remains to be seen how Smith Rowe will fare at Fulham, but the move could provide him with the opportunity to play regular first-team football and continue his development as a player. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be hoping that the decision to sell the midfielder does not come back to haunt them in the future.