Transfer News: Aston Villa Looks To Pressure Arsenal To Sell England U-21 Midfielder

Despite big names opting to leave their home clubs and longtime transfer sagas coming to a close, the transfer window drama is not yet over.

When the summer transfer window opened, the topic of interest was centered around Jadon Sancho and Manchester United, Erling Haaland’s apparent departure from Borussia Dortmund, and Harry Kane’s wish to leave Tottenham.

However, a transfer story that should also be worth noting is that of Arsenal midfielder Emil Smith Rowe.

The English Under-21 player has been linked to a move to Aston Villa this summer as the club believes that he is the right player to handle midfield duties as Ollie Watkins supports the attacking duo of Jack Grealish and summer transfer signing Emiliano Buendia.

Buendia, the former Norwich City winger, possesses great dribbling skills that allow him to get past defenders in tight spaces.

Arsenal was looking at Buendia to fill in the goalscoring midfielder role left behind by Aaron Ramsey’s departure to Juventus on a free transfer during the summer transfer window of 2019.

Smith Rowe was a breakout star for the Gunners last year as he replaced Willian on Boxing Day en route to a 3-1 victory at home against perpetual English Premier League contenders Chelsea.

The 20-year-old would go on to break the hearts of Chelsea fans once again but at their home turf as he scored the game’s lone goal, helping Arsenal win their first match at Stamford Bridge in close to 10 years.

Aston Villa has already offered two bids for Smith Rowe this transfer window, £25 million ($34.6 million) for their first offer then £30 million ($41.5 million) for the second, but Arsenal swiftly rebuffed these bids.

The Birmingham Mail reports that Aston Villa is looking to up their bid to £32.5 million ($45 million) for Smith Rowe.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, a former Arsenal winger, having tipped off Football Insider that Arsenal may be interested in selling Smith Rowe for £60 million ($83 million).

Speculation dictates that a club wouldn’t keep chasing a player if they’re not interested. so Aston Villa’s persistence in signing Smith Rowe could be a sign that the young winger is also contemplating a move to Villa Park this summer.

Should they pry him away from Arsenal, Aston Villa will have a youngster who can learn the ropes from the 25-year-old Grealish and form a highly potent brigade that will put the Premier League on notice.