Arsenal fans are still digesting the news as the club confirms the sale of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham in a deal worth up to £34 million ($43.6m).
This transfer ends Smith Rowe’s 14-year journey with the Gunners, leaving manager Mikel Arteta feeling ‘sad’ over the loss of the talented midfielder.
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Emile Smith-Rowe to Fulham: A record-breaking transfer
Smith Rowe’s move to Fulham has broken records, with the Cottagers agreeing to an initial £27 million ($34.6m) fee, plus £7 million ($9m) in realistic add-ons.
This surpasses their previous record of £25 million ($32m) spent on Jean Michael Seri in 2018. Smith Rowe has signed a five-year contract with Fulham, with an option for an additional year.
Expressing his excitement, Smith Rowe stated,
“I’m finally here, so I’m really happy for me and my family – it’s a good moment. I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible so I could get going with my teammates.”
Arteta’s emotional farewell
Arteta couldn’t hide his disappointment, saying,
“Emile’s commitment, attitude, and energy every day were first class. He was instrumental during a difficult moment for us, making our supporters proud. I’m sad that Emile is leaving, but excited for him to take this new opportunity when he needs to be starting matches and playing regularly.”
Sporting director Edu echoed Arteta’s sentiments, adding,
“Emile is loved by us all at the club. He has developed through our Academy system into our first team. We have completed an important and positive deal for everyone. We thank Emile for everything he gave to Arsenal and we wish him well in the next stage of his career.”
Smith Rowe’s new chapter
Smith Rowe had been with Arsenal since he was 10 years old, making his debut in 2018 and scoring 18 goals in 115 games. His standout 2020/21 season earned him the iconic No. 10 jersey. However, injuries and new signings limited his game time, leading to just 33 appearances in the last two seasons.
Now, Smith Rowe is eager to reinvent himself at Fulham and aims to return to England’s national team. As Fulham fans celebrate his arrival, Arsenal supporters face the bittersweet reality of his departure.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s summer transfers continue with the arrivals of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and David Raya from Brentford.
The club is also close to securing Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino following his impressive performances at Euro 2024.
As Smith Rowe embarks on his new journey, the Gunners will be looking to build on their squad and achieve success in the upcoming season.