OFFICIAL: Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe completes Fulham transfer

Tom Weber

• Updated: 2 Aug 2024 14:04 BST
• 3 min read

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Emile Smith Rowe has joined Fulham from Arsenal.

The Gunners homegrown has departed his boyhood club in a deal worth €40 million, with €32m guaranteed and €8m in bonuses. Smith Rowe has penned a long-term contract at Craven Cottage.

The 24-year-old's summer exit had become increasingly inevitable in recent weeks, with both Fulham and Crystal Palace expressing their interest in the attacking midfielder.

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Smith Rowe is keen on first-team football after two seasons mostly spent on the outside looking in at the Emirates. Arsenal had wanted to keep the academy graduate but didn't try to stand in his way, accepting the player's desire for more game time.

The former England youth international is looking to revive his career in west London after showing so much promise in 2021/22 before injuries stunted his progress and he lost his place in the Arsenal team.

Arsenal deal unlocked

Despite the Gunners' intention of keeping Smith Rowe, they won't be shedding tears over his exit, not least because of the sizeable fee they have received for a player who evidently did not feature prominently in Mikel Arteta's plans.

Smith Rowe's departure has now opened up the necessary funds and squad space for Arsenal to complete their signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer news

As exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers, personal terms with the Spain international have already been agreed. However, Arsenal had refrained from launching a formal bid prior to Smith Rowe's exit.

The deal with Fulham is now set to unlock Arsenal's signing of Merino, with the player keen on swapping the Basque country for north London. The 28-year-old has become the Gunners' top target following the acquisition of Riccardo Calafiori for the defence.

Merino is not expected to be particularly pricey due to his contract situation. The former Newcastle man would be a free agent next summer, though he also has an extension offer from Real Sociedad on the table.