Aston Villa are said to still be interested in signing Emile Smith Rowe as Arsenal look to let players depart in January.
It has been nothing short of a superb season for Aston Villa which sees them sitting in third place in the Premier League.
Last time out, in a break from league action, the Villans travelled to face Middlesbrough in the third round of the FA Cup. Thanks to a Matty Cash winner, they booked their place in the fourth round where Chelsea awaits.
With that being said, the need for squad depth is becoming more apparent so they don’t become whipped out.
This has seen links to attacking talents like Cyril Ngonge come and go as well as rumours to others like Artem Dovbyk.
Now there has been a discussion regarding Emile Smith Rowe who has been heavily linked to Villa in the past.
More Aston Villa and Emile Smith Rowe links
There has been no lack of links to the Englishman in recent years but no move has ever materialised. These rumours have now resurfaced in this January window.
This has been discussed by Alex Crook to Give Me Sport who has been discussing that the Gunners want to let players go.
On their departure list, he said: “Arsenal might have to move a couple of players out to get players in. There’s interest in Mohamed Elneny from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and they’d cash in on Thomas Partey if they could, given his injury record and the fact he’s on good wages.”
With that being said, it is clear that Mikel Arteta is keen to let several of his fringe players go as the winter window steams on.
Although the Villans probably won’t be interested in signing Mohamed Elneny, there is another star that Crook has suggested.
On that, he said: “I’m keen to see what they do with Smith Rowe because I think Aston Villa’s interest is still there. We know that Arsenal like Douglas Luiz, but Villa aren’t going to let him go at this moment in time because they’re competing for the top four themselves.”
It must be said that, given that Villa are in a top-four or title race, there may be a reluctance for Arsenal to work with them. The Gunners may feel that boosting Unai Emery’s squad could be detrimental to their own campaign.
There is no doubt in the ability that Smith Rowe has. It wasn’t long ago he was referred to as ‘very special’ but given his lack of minutes, this move feels unlikely.
