Premier League outfit Fulham have placed former Huddersfield Town loanee Emile Smith-Rowe on their shortlist this summer as they look to build on consecutive mid-table finishes, according to a report by the Daily Telegraph.
The winger’s time at Arsenal seems to be coming to an end, after only starting three league matches this campaign, and appearing in a further ten as a substitute. With players such as Gabriel Martinelli ahead of him on the left, or Martin Odegaard being the preferred starting central attacking midfielder, opportunities have been few and far between for the English international.
It is now reported that Fulham wish to acquire his services to help bolster their squad ahead of their third season back in the top flight. With players such as Willian or Bobby De Cordova-Reid potentially leaving this window on free transfers, it would come as no surprise to see them wishing to bolster their attacking options.
Smith-Rowe is an Arsenal academy graduate, making his professional debut for the side in 2018 against Brentford in the EFL Cup. After struggling to make an immediate impact on the first team, or a loan to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, the youngster joined the Terriers for a six-month loan deal in January 2020.
Playing 19 games and contributing five goals, the now 23-year-old quickly became a fan favourite at the John Smith’s Stadium, in a team full of future Premier League players, such as Harry Toffolo and Trevor Chalobah.
That loan move was the boost that Smith-Rowe’s career needed as he followed that up by making 53 top-flight appearances over the next two seasons, still at such a young age.
Marco Silva will now need to decide how highly he values the youngster and await the same reflection to be made by his counterpart Mikel Arteta.
Writer’s View
Emile Smith-Rowe is still a young exciting talent, even if it feels as though he has been playing for a considerable amount of time. A move to Fulham, or another mid-table Premier League side could be exactly what the player needs.
Ultimately, he, as long as any of his potential suitors, will be hoping that he can rekindle the form he showed during his early years at Arsenal as well as that breakout loan move to the Terriers.
