Arsenal insist Emile Smith Rowe is not for sale amid late summer transfer interest from Chelsea.
The Blues are still on the hunt for further attacking reinforcements before Friday night’s transfer deadline, seeking primarily a versatile forward player who can operate at No10 and also out on the wing.
London rivals Chelsea have been linked with Smith Rowe over recent days, though Arsenal have always insisted that their popular academy graduate midfielder is not for sale.
The 23-year-old saw his 2022/23 campaign hugely impacted by injury and, after winning the Under-21 European Championship with England over the summer, has only featured off the bench in the Community Shield so far this term.
Smith Rowe has been left as an unused substitute by manager Mikel Arteta in all three of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures this season, leading to increased speculation over a potential switch away from the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea are now expected to look at alternative attacking options to add to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad before the window shuts at 11pm BST on Friday night, having been unable to complete a deal for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.
Lyon’s French winger Bradley Barcola is of interest to Chelsea, but multiple players are believed to be under consideration at this stage.
Transfer news LIVE! Follow all the latest deals and rumours
They had also been interested in Nottingham Forest’s £50million-rated Welsh international Brennan Johnson, but Spurs are now leading the race for his signature.
