Emile Smith Rowe joins Fulham after £34m Arsenal exit with replacement identified

Emile Smith Rowe has officially left Arsenal after a £34million deal was agreed with Fulham to end more than a decade with the Gunners.

Emile Smith Rowe has joined Fulham on a permanent deal from Arsenal. The move sees Arsenal earn a fee of £34million with an initial £27million with £7million-plus in add-ons, football.london understands - the move also contains an unspecified sell-on clause.

Smith Rowe made 115 appearances for the Gunners across six seasons having come through the Hale End academy. He joined the academy at the age of 10 and rose through the youth ranks before making a full breakthrough under Mikel Arteta.

He established himself in the side following an impressive performance against Chelsea on Boxing Day 2020, playing a pivotal role in a 3-1 win which got the Gunners’ season back on track. He would sign a new deal the following summer and take the No.10 shirt.

However, injuries and form ultimately saw his game time slashed. The rise of Gabriel Martinelli and the arrival of Leandro Trossard provided considerable obstacles for Smith Rowe and that has led to him seeking a move to find a way back onto the field more regularly.

His England career was accessed at Arsenal and getting more minutes for Fulham will provide a foundation and a potential pathway back to the national team. Arsenal are looking to replace the midfielder with a move for Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino.

Sporting Director Edu said: “Emile is loved by us all at the club. He has been with us for many years, and we are so proud that he has developed through our Academy system into our first team. It has been a positive collaboration to find the right place for Emile, where he will continue to grow and make his mark on the Premier League. We have completed an important and positive deal for everyone.

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“We thank Emile for everything he gave to Arsenal and we wish him well in the next stage of his career.”

Mikel Arteta added: “Emile’s commitment, attitude and energy every day was first class, always stepping up when the team needed him. He came into the first team and was instrumental during a difficult moment for us. He created an important impression, with his strong performances making our supporters proud.

“I’m sad that Emile is leaving us, but excited for him to take this new opportunity at this stage of his career when he needs to be starting matches and playing regularly.

“Emile is loved by everyone at the club and leaves us with our gratitude, absolute respect and best wishes. We all wish Emile and his family well at Fulham.”

The sale represents a considerable financial boost for the Gunners, making more pure profit on an academy graduate. More could be on the way with both Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson also linked with moves away.

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