MIKEL ARTETA was “sad” when Arsenal announced that Emile Smith Rowe would be leaving for Fulham for £34 million.
After 14 years with the North Londoners, the 24-year-old midfielder is leaving for the Gunners. He is the most expensive school graduate to leave the club’s history.
3Fulham have raided Premier League rivals for Emile Smith RoweCredit: https://x.com/FulhamFC
3Smith Rowe has left boyhood club ArsenalCredit: Getty
For a long-term fee of £27m plus £7m in add-ons, Smith Rowe joins the Cottagers. He could make his debut on Monday in a friendly at home against Sevilla.
This week, he left Arsenal’s pre-season camp in the United States to get his medical done before joining Fulham’s team in Portugal. He is eager to get started right away after only making 25 Premier League appearances since August 2022.
Arsenal’s boss Arteta said, “I’m sad that Emile is leaving us.” Smith Rowe was very important to Arteta in his first few years in charge.
“But I’m happy for him to take this new chance at this point in his career, when he needs to be starting games and playing often.”
“Every day, Emile showed great dedication, morale, and energy, and he always stepped up when the team needed him to.”
“He joined the first team and was very important to us during a tough time.” It made a big impact on people, and his great performances made our fans proud.
Everyone at the club loves Emile, and he leaves us with our thanks, respect, and best wishes. We all hope things go well for Emile and his family at Fulham.
That’s the most money that Fulham has ever paid for a player, and it’s also Arsenal’s biggest sale since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for £35 million in 2017.
Smith Rowe was eager to leave Arsenal for first team football this summer, even though he loved the club and wanted to make the England team for the 2026 World Cup.
His last England national game was in March 2022, and he has scored one goal in those three games.
Emilie is loved by everyone at the club, said Edu, who is in charge of sports. We are so happy that he has grown through our Academy system and is now on our first team. He has been with us for a long time.
“We worked well together to find Emile the right place, where he can continue to improve and leave his mark on the Premier League.” We closed a deal that is good for everyone and is very important.
“Emile, thank you for everything he did for Arsenal. Best of luck with the next part of your career.”
Arsenal and Arteta will try to make more purchases this summer. They already spent £42 million on Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori and are interested in a playmaker and a winger.
Talks are going on for Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Mikel Merino, who is 28 years old. The deal is likely to go through for a fee of £25m to £30m.
There is only one year left on Merino’s current deal at Sociedad.