Fulham has reached an agreement with Arsenal for the transfer of Emile Smith Rowe, marking a significant move in the summer transfer window. The deal, set to become a club record for Fulham, includes an initial payment of £27 million, with potential add-ons bringing the total to £34 million.
Discussions on the final details are ongoing, but personal terms for Smith Rowe have been agreed, and he is anticipated to undergo a medical this week. Last season, the 24-year-old midfielder faced challenges, appearing in just 346 minutes in the Premier League due to a knee injury that sidelined him for six weeks in October.
Smith Rowe has earned three senior caps for England, with his last appearance in March 2022. Notably, he was part of the Under-21 squad that triumphed in the UEFA European Championship last summer.
As Fulham prepares for a pre-season training camp in Portugal starting Tuesday, there are hopes that Smith Rowe will join the team during this period. His motivation for the move centers around securing regular first-team football, which is seen as a beneficial move for all parties involved.
Smith Rowe participated in Arsenal’s pre-season tour in the United States, although he was an unused substitute in the recent friendly against Bournemouth in Los Angeles, which the Gunners won on penalties.
After Arsenal’s recent match, manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged that negotiations were taking place regarding Smith Rowe’s future, stating, “There are things happening in the background at the moment.” Smith Rowe was notably absent from the squad in the friendly against Manchester United over the weekend.
Key Dates in the Summer Transfer Window
The 2024 summer transfer window will officially close on August 30 at 11pm UK time for the Premier League and 11:30pm in Scotland. The Premier League has adjusted its Deadline Day to align with other major European leagues, following discussions among England, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France.
